Most of the judge cycles concern one or two main topics. For example, the Barak/Deborah cycle deals mainly with Barak’s appointment by Deborah and the killing of Sisera by Jael. The Gideon cycle, by contrast, covers several topics. It includes the detailed description of the oppression, Gideon’s appointment and his combating of the Baal worship. The organization of Gideon’s army, his many doubts, his war against the Midianites, and the pursuit that he conducted after the battle are all described in very great detail. The account goes on to describe internal clashes, firstly with the Ephraimites and subsequently with the men of Succoth and of Penuel. The execution of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna is described exhaustively, after the execution of the Midianite captains Oreb and Zeeb had already been indicated.¹