Because of their sin, Israel suffered seven years of oppression by the Midianites. God gave them into the hands of the Midianites because of the evil they had done. God nonetheless had compassion on Israel and raised up Gideon to be their deliverer. Gideon did believe God, even though he did ask for several signs to confirm his calling. God took an army of 300 men and defeated the Midianites in one night, but even then, Israel did not turn to God. They lived for forty years in peace, but at the death of Gideon, Israel returned to their evil ways.