Judges 8:23

23 And Gedeon said to them, I will not rule, and my son shall not rule among you; the Lord shall rule over you.

Judges 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 8:23

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you
Not that he declined the government of them as a judge, to which he was raised of God, but as a king, for which he had no authority and call from God; the choice of a king belonging to him, and not to the people:

neither shall my son rule over you;
which Abarbinel thinks he spake as a prophet, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; for after his death neither Jether his eldest son, nor any of the rest of his legitimate sons, ruled over them; for they were all slain by Abimelech, the son of his concubine, who was made king:

the Lord shall rule over you;
as he did; their government was a theocracy, which they would have changed, but Gideon would not agree to it.

Judges 8:23 In-Context

21 And Zebee and Salmana said, Rise thou and fall upon us, for thy power as that of a man; and Gedeon arose, and slew Zebee and Salmana: and he took the round ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.

22 And the men of Israel said to Gedeon, Rule, lord, over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son; for thou hast saved us out of the hand of Madiam.

23 And Gedeon said to them, I will not rule, and my son shall not rule among you; the Lord shall rule over you.

24 And Gedeon said to them, I will make a request of you, and do ye give me every man an earring out of his spoils: for they had golden earrings, for they were Ismaelites.

25 And they said, We will certainly give them: and he opened his garment, and each man cast therein an earring of his spoils.