שופטים, פרק ח׳, פסוק ד׳

The pursuit of the Midianite army reaches a critical geographical and physical turning point. Gideon and his small force arrive at the Jordan River, pushing their bodies to the absolute limit of human endurance to secure a final victory. Gideon and his vanguard of three hundred men cross the river to chase down the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

These enemy leaders had already crossed the Jordan. They either fled the primary battlefield to return to their homeland, or they had never joined the initial fight at all, remaining stationed in Midian. Regardless of their prior involvement, these kings posed a severe threat, having ravaged the territories of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh on the eastern side of the river. Gideon crosses the water with a clear mission to destroy them and ensure they can never harm the Israelites again [רש״י, אברבנאל].

The physical condition of Gideon's men is marked by profound exhaustion. This deep fatigue stems from their relentless pursuit and continuous combat against the Midianites, fighting without pause all the way from the Jezreel Valley to the Jordan River [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, despite their weariness, they press on out of a deep dedication to save the entire nation.

This desperate physical state sets the stage for Gideon's appeal to the people of Succoth for food. He expects the locals to provide bread for his men, basing his request on two compelling principles. First, there is a fundamental moral and religious duty to feed the hungry. Second, there is a national obligation to support soldiers who are risking their lives and relentlessly chasing the enemy for the salvation of the people [אברבנאל].