Reign — He supposed they would take that government which their father refused; and that the multitude of his sons would occasion divisions, and confusions, which they might avoid by chusing him king; and so they might enjoy the monarchy which they had long desired. Your bone and flesh — Your kinsma... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren — That is, kinsmen. He is our brother — They were easily persuaded to believe what served their own interest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Pieces of silver — Not shekels, which were too small a sum for this purpose; but far larger pieces, the exact worth whereof it is not possible for us now to know. The house of Baal — berith — Out of his sacred treasury; having since Gideon's death built this temple (which he would never have suffere... [ Continue Reading ]
His brethren — The only persons who were likely to hinder him in establishing his tyranny. Threescore and ten — Wanting one, who is here expressed. Jotham was left — Whereby he would signify, that this was an act of justice, in cutting them all off in an orderly manner, for some supposed crime, prob... [ Continue Reading ]
House of Millo — Some eminent and potent family living in Shechem, or near it. King — Over all Israel, Judges 9:22, which was a strange presumption for the inhabitants of one city; but they had many advantages for it; as the eager, and general, and constant inclination of the Israelites to kingly go... [ Continue Reading ]
Mount Gerizim — Which lay near Shechem. The valley between Gerizim and Ebal, was a famous place, employed for the solemn reading of the law, and its blessings and curses: and it is probable it was still used, even by the superstitious and idolatrous Israelites for such occasions, who delighted to us... [ Continue Reading ]
The trees, &c. — A parabolical discourse, usual among the ancients, especially in the eastern parts. To anoint — To make a king, which was done among the Israelites, and some others, with the ceremony of anointing. Olive — tree — By which he understands Gideon.... [ Continue Reading ]
Honour God — In whose worship oil was used for divers things; as, about the lamps, and offerings, and for anointing sacred persons and things. And man — For oil was used in the constitution of kings, and priests, and prophets, and for a present to great persons, and to anoint the head and face. Prom... [ Continue Reading ]
Fig — tree — Gideon refused this honour, both for himself, and for his sons; and the sons of Gideon, whom Abimelech had slain, upon pretence of their affecting the kingdom, were as far from such thoughts as their father.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cheareth God — Wherewith God is well pleased, because it was offered to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bramble — Or, thorn, fitly representing Abimelech, the son of a concubine, and a person of small use, and great cruelty.... [ Continue Reading ]
If in truth — If you deal truly and justly in making me king. Then trust — Then you may expect protection under my government. Devour the cedars — In stead of protection, you shall receive destruction by me; especially you cedars, that is, nobles, such as the house of Millo, who have been most forwa... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye have slain — Abimelech's fact is justly charged upon them, as done by their consent, approbation and assistance. Maidservant — His concubine, whom he so calls by way of reproach. Over Shechem — By which limitation of their power, and his kingdom, he reflects contempt upon him, and chargeth them w... [ Continue Reading ]
Devour Abimelech — This is not so much a prediction as an imprecation, which, being grounded upon just cause, had its effect, as others in like case had.... [ Continue Reading ]
And fled — Which he might easily do, having the advantage of the hill, and because the people were not forward to pursue a man whom they knew to have such just cause to speak, and so little power to do them hurt. To Beer — A place remote from Shechem, and out of Abimelech's reach.... [ Continue Reading ]
Over Israel — For though the men of Shechem were the first authors of Abimelech's advancement, the rest of the people easily consented to that form of government which they so much desired.... [ Continue Reading ]
God sent — God gave the devil commission to work upon their minds.... [ Continue Reading ]
The cruelty — That is, the punishment of the cruelty.... [ Continue Reading ]
For him — To seize his person. Robbed all — Such as favoured or served Abimelech; for to such only their commission reached, though it may be, they went beyond their bounds, and robbed all passengers promiscuously.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gaal — It is not known who he was; but it is evident, he was a man very considerable for wealth, and strength and interest; and ill — pleased with Abimelech's power. Went to Shechem — By his presence and council to animate and assist them against Abimelech.... [ Continue Reading ]
Went out — Which, 'till his coming they durst not do, for fear of Abimelech. Made merry — Both from the custom of rejoicing, and singing songs in vintage time, and for the hopes of their redemption from Abimelech's tyranny. Their goals — Baal — berith, Judges 9:4, either to beg his help against Abim... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is Abimelech — What is he but a base — born person, a cruel tyrant, and one every way unworthy to govern you? Who is Shechem — That is, Abimelech, named in the foregoing words, and described in those which follow. He is called Shechem for the Shechemite. The sense is, who is this Shechemite? For... [ Continue Reading ]
My hand — That is, under my command; I wish you would unanimously submit to me, as your captain and governor; for he found them divided; and some of them hearkening after Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour. I would remove — As you have driven him... [ Continue Reading ]
And stood — To put his army in order, and to conduct them against Abimelech, whom he supposed to be at a great distance.... [ Continue Reading ]
To Zebul — Who concealed the anger which he had conceived, Judges 9:30, and pretended compliance with him in this expedition, that he might draw him forth into the field where Abimelech might have the opportunity of fighting with him, and overthrowing him. The shadow — For in the morning, as this wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Where is now, &c. — Now shew thyself a man, and fight valiantly for thyself and people.... [ Continue Reading ]
He fled — Being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and probably not fully prepared for the encounter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Dwelt at Arumah — He did not prosecute his victory, but retreated to Arumah, to see whether the Shechemites would not of themselves return to his government, or else, that being hereby grown secure, he might have the greater advantage against them. Thrust out — It seems the same night. Probably the... [ Continue Reading ]
Went out — to their usual employments about their land.... [ Continue Reading ]
Three companies — Whereof he kept one with himself, Judges 9:44, and put the rest under other commanders.... [ Continue Reading ]
Entering of the gate — To prevent their retreat into the city, and give the other two companies opportunity to cut them off.... [ Continue Reading ]
With salt — In token of his desire of their utter and irrecoverable destruction.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tower — A strong place belonging to the city of Shechem, made for its defence without the city. Berith — Or, Baal — berith, Judges 9:4. Hither they fled out of the town belonging to it, fearing the same event with Shechem; and here they thought to be secure; partly by the strength of the place,... [ Continue Reading ]
Zalmon — A place so called from its shadiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thebez — Another town near to Shechem; and, as it seems, within its territory.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all — All that were not slain in the taking of the town. Top of the tower — Which was flat and plain, after their manner of building.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mill — stone — Such great stones no doubt they carried up with them, whereby they might defend themselves, or offend those who assaulted them. Here the justice of God is remarkable in suiting the punishment to his sin. He slew his brethren upon a stone, Judges 9:5, and he loseth his own life by a st... [ Continue Reading ]
A women — Which was esteemed a matter of disgrace.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wickedness — In rooting out, as far as he could, the name and memory of his father.... [ Continue Reading ]
Render upon their heads — Thus God preserved the honour of his government, and gave warning to all ages, to expect blood for blood.... [ Continue Reading ]