I have been thinking about Gideon’s army after watching  a dog drink.  He dipped one paw in the water and licked it off.  Then he dipped another paw in the water and licked it off. It was hard for him to keep his balance in the soft soil beside the stream.  Then he dipped his right rear paw in the water and licked it off.   Then the same with the rear left.  He did this till he was satisfied.  Then he wagged his tale and continued to scamper through the fields.

Many commentaries say that for a soldier to lie down and drink with his nose in the water like a dog would be dangerous and unworthy of a disciplined fighter.  Therefore, they say, these three hundred must have used their hands to bring the water to their mouths so that they could be watchful and ready to fight.  Their assumption is that those chosen must have demonstrated their superiority as warriors by their behaviour even if it makes nonsense of the phrase “they lapped like dogs”.  It indicates the implicit belief that God chooses us because of our virtues and forms another foundation for human pride. They cannot accept that God chooses the foolish things to bring to nought the things of the wise.

The text clearly says they lapped like dogs i.e. their noses were in the water.  They were chosen because of their childlike behaviour –  oblivious to danger and unskilled in war but perfectly suited to the strategies of God.

It seems that they were the most unskilled in combat and therefore willing to employ the methods God had chosen.  They were willing  to go to battle weaponless and to entrust their lives and victory to God.