_A.M. 2795. B.C. 1209._ Abimelech usurps the government at Shechem, Judges 9:1. Jotham's parable, Judges 9:7. Strife between Abimelech and the Shechemites, Judges 9:22. The slaughter of the Shechemites, Judges 9:42. The death of Abimelech, fulfilling Jotham's curse, Judges 9:50.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abimelech went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren_ That is, her relations; _and communed with them_ To try if he could engage them to favour and aid the design he had conceived to usurp the government of Israel, in direct opposition to his father's will, who had declared _no son of his should ru... [ Continue Reading ]
_They gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver_ To bear the charges which he would be put to in making good his pretensions. It is not said what the value of these pieces was: so many shekels would have been but a small present to make a man a prince, and too little to serve his purposes; and so... [ Continue Reading ]
_He went and slew his brethren_ The persons who were most likely to hinder him in establishing his tyranny. _Threescore and ten_ Wanting one, as is here expressed. Here we see the power of ambition; what savage beasts it will render men to each other; how it will break through all the ties of natura... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the men of Shechem_ That is, the great men, the chief magistrates of the city; _and the house of Millo_ Either some eminent and potent family living in or near Shechem, or the common council, the _full house_, or _house of fulness_, as the word signifies; those that met in their court-house or... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jotham stood in the top of mount Gerizim_ Which overlooked the city of Shechem. This was not on the same day when Abimelech was inaugurated, but some time after. 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_The trees went forth on a time_ This is the first instance that we have of this manner of speaking by parables. But we find it in great use afterward, and frequently adopted, not by prophets only, but by courtiers, politicians, and soldiers, in the Old Testament. See 2 Samuel 14:1, and 1 Kings 20:3... [ Continue Reading ]
_My fatness, wherewith they honour God_ Oil being used in God's worship for divers things, as in sacrifices, in the dedication of persons and things to holy offices and uses, and for the lamps in the sanctuary; _and man_ For oil was used in constituting kings, and priests, and prophets, and for a pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fig-tree said_, &c. 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 ]
_Wine which cheereth God and man_ “It has been objected,” says Dr. Dodd, “that Scripture here suggests false and unworthy notions of the Supreme Being; but we are to remember that the words are part of a parable. In a parable or fiction, every word or sentence is not to be interpreted with the utmos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said all the trees unto the bramble_, &c. Or thorn, fitly representing Abimelech, the son of a concubine, and a person of small use and great cruelty. _If in truth ye anoint me king_ If you deal truly and justly in making me king. _Then trust_ Then you may expect protection under my government... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore if ye have done truly and sincerely_, &c. In these and the following words, Jotham applies his parable to the Shechemites, and signifies, if they had dealt sincerely, and done that which was right to the family of Gideon, in slaying all his legitimate sons, and making the son of his c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye have slain his sons_, &c. Abimelech's crime is justly charged upon them, as being committed by their consent, approbation, and assistance. _Maid-servant_ His concubine, whom he so calls by way of reproach. _Over Shechem_ By which limitation of their power, and his kingdom, he reflects contempt u... [ 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 have had.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jotham ran away 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 ]
_Had reigned three years 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 an evil spirit_ That is, gave Satan permission to work upon their minds. _That the cruelty done to the sons of Jerubbaal_, &c. That is, the punishment of the cruelty. Men may do evil, and think they have profited themselves; may imagine they have strengthened themselves in their wickedness... [ Continue Reading ]
_Set liers in wait 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 that he was ill pleased with Abimelech's power. _Went to Shechem_ By his presence and counsel to animate and assist them against Abimelech.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They went out into the fields_ 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. _Went into the house of their god_ Baal-berith, (Judges... [ 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 ]
_Under 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 inclining toward Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour. _I would remove_ As you have drive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gaal went out and stood_ To put his army in order, and to conduct them against Abimelech, whom he supposed to be at a great distance. _He said 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Zebul, Where is now thy mouth_, &c. Now show thyself a man, and fight valiantly for thyself and the people. _And he fled_ Being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and probably not fully prepared for the encounter.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abimelech 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 in expectation that they would hereby grow secure, and so give him the greater advantage against them. _And Zebul thrust out Ga... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people went out into the field_ To their usual employments about their land. _He divided them into three companies_ Whereof he kept one with himself, (Judges 9:44,) and put the rest under other commanders. _Abimelech stood in the entering of the gate_ To prevent the retreat of the people into t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And sowed it with salt_ In token of his desire of their utter and irrecoverable destruction. For places situated in a salt soil being barren by nature, the sowing of salt upon a place was a symbolical custom among the eastern people, at that time, to express great hatred and anger against any place... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the men of the tower heard_ Either a strong place belonging to the city of Shechem, and made for its defence without the city, or perhaps a town at some distance from Shechem, but probably inhabited by Shechemites. When these people heard of the fate of the city, they retired to a strong hold... [ Continue Reading ]
_Zalmon_ A place so called from its shadiness. _Thebez_ Another town near Shechem; and, as it seems, within its territory. _Thither fled all the men and women_ All that were not slain in the taking of the town. _And gat them up to the top of the tower_ Which was flat and plain, after their manner of... [ Continue Reading ]
_A woman cast a piece of a millstone_ 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus God rendered_, &c. This and the following verse conclude the history of Abimelech with a divine admonition, that no man might think such things come to pass by chance. We see God, the judge of all, punished both Abimelech and the men of Shechem according to their deserts, and made them the ins... [ Continue Reading ]
_The evil of the men of Shechem did God render_, &c. Thus God preserved the honour of his government, and gave warning to all ages to expect blood for blood. The Lord is known by these judgments which he executeth, when the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Though wickedness may prosper... [ Continue Reading ]