Judges 9:42-49

Abimelech destroys Shechem and Migdal-Shechem

After the Shechemites have suffered the severe defeat just described, and Abimelech has retired and dwelt at Arumah, it is incredible that, on the next morning, the people should come out of the city as if nothing had happened, and that Abimelech should be able to surprise them by the same device which had proved so successful the day before. All difficulties disappear if we regard these verses, not as the sequel to 34 41, but as a second account of Abimelech's attack on Shechem, originally following 22 25. The Shechemites break out into open treason (Judges 9:25); A. takes instant (-on the morrow" Judges 9:42) and severe revenge. Moore thinks that Judges 9:22 are derived from E, Judges 9:42 and Judges 9:26 from J.