JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:1 Abimelech rose to power by ruthlessly killing his own brothers, with the help of the Shechemites. He was then “made king” at Shechem (v. Judges 9:6). JERUBBAAL. That is, Gideon (see Judges 8:35 and note on 6:32). WORTHLESS AND RECKLESS FELLOWS. Abimelech’s character can be... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:7 Jotham, the only brother of Abimelech to survive his murderous rampage, tells a fable criticizing Abimelech’s actions. In the fable, the noble trees of the forest each reject the offer of kingship. Finally, the dishonorable bramble bush accepts the call and becomes king. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:20 LET FIRE COME OUT. Jotham’s challenge was prophetic (see vv. Judges 9:49, Judges 9:54). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:22 The Shechemites, who had made Abimelech their king (vv. Judges 9:1), eventually rebelled against him (vv. Judges 9:26). Abimelech was able to stop the revolt, and he burned Shechem and its defenses (vv. Judges 9:34). Abimelech himself was then killed while trying to destro... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:23 GOD SENT AN EVIL SPIRIT BETWEEN. “Evil spirit” probably means a “spirit of ill will” or a “harmful spirit” between the parties. Thus God himself brought about the split between the two sides. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=image... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:45 SOWED IT WITH SALT. This physical and also symbolic action turned Shechem into a barren, uninhabitable desert (compare Deuteronomy 29:23; Psalms 107:34). It was later rebuilt by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGES—NOTE ON JUDGES 9:54 KILL ME. Being killed by a woman was a disgrace to a warrior. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]