Judges 8

But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” v.23

Read chapter 8
After victory over the Medianites the people are ready to make Gideon their king.  Yet Gideon refused knowing it wasn't the time yet that God had prescribed for the people of Israel but also Gideon I think knew their hearts of why they wanted to make him king.  The people had continually immersed themselves in idol worship and just wanted something or someone to worship.  Gideon refuses to become king yet he is noted as a judge with some rule over the people.  Maybe it's because they idolized him that anything he said they did, yet even that they took to the extreme.  Gideon had made and set up an ephod in regards to the priests lack in duty, yet instead of encouraging the priests in this or for the people to remember the order God set up they worshiped the ephod instead (v.27).  This then became a snare to Gideon of something well intentioned by him for the people and for God.  When have you seen something intended for good become more of a snare and an idol than what it was purposed for?  Gideon may have rejected the title as king but he still had the power.  You may not have a title over people but still have powerful influence on some or many, how do you manage that influence?