Yahweh said to Gideon, By the three hundred men who lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand; and let all the people go every man to his place.
The text does not enable us to understand God’s motive certainly. Simple obedience is what He required. Before God told Gideon to let the larger group of soldiers go home, He gave him a promise that He would deliver Israel with the 300 remaining warriors. This promise undoubtedly encouraged Gideon’s faith.