For the office and function of these princes see on v. 14. In refusing to supply food for Gideon’s men, these leaders were guilty of both cowardice and of taunting brethren. They had seen the 15,000 Midianites pass by, and they probably reasoned, “How can so few men avail against so large a number? We will incur only disgrace and punishment at the hands of the Midianites for aiding their pursuers.” So instead of exhibiting compassion and patriotic sympathy, they displayed extreme selfishness in consulting only their own petty interests. They exemplified a materialism that serves a foreign tyrant rather than risk a loss. Besides, their miserly spirit may have begrudged the cost of feeding these 300 men.