* three companies.
   This small number of men, thus divided, would be able to
   encompass the whole camp of the Midianites.  Concealing the
   lamps in the pitchers, they would pass unobserved to their
   appointed stations; then, in the dead of the night, when most
   of the enemy were fast asleep, all at once breaking their
   pitchers one against another, with as much noise as they
   could, and blowing the trumpets and shouting; they would
   occasion an exceedingly great alarm.  The obedience of faith
   alone could have induced such an expedient, which no doubt God
   directed Gideon to employ.--Scott.

 * a trumpet.  Heb. trumpets in the hand of all of them.  empty.
  2Co 4:7 
 * lamps.  or, fire-brands, or torches.