Gideon’s soft, diplomatic answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:10). Ephraim appears to be appeased, even though his arguments are all psychologically rather than theologically based. But while Gideon’s words were diplomatic, the next section will show that he was certainly not humble.
3 God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I been able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger against him subsided when he said this.