When Gideon asked for food from an Israelite town, they refused, not believing that he was going to win the battle.

Then he went up from there to Penuel and spoke to them in the same way. And the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered. So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying,

“When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!” (Judges 8:8–9).

Gideon fought for Penuel to save them from the oppressive hand of Midian, but they also refused to supply him and his army. They would pay for it later.