1 Early in the morning, Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people with him set up camp beside the spring of Harod. Meanwhile, the camp of Midian was to the north of them, by the hill of Moreh in the valley.
2 The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for me to hand Midian over to them, lest Israel boast against me, claiming, 'My own strength has delivered me.'
3 Now therefore, announce to the people: 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So, twenty-two thousand men returned, but ten thousand remained.
4 Then the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and there I will test them for you. Whoever I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; and whoever I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."