We are not told how soon after the death of Gideon these events happened. There must have been time for the apostacy and establishment of Baal-worship, and for the development of ill-will between Abimelech and his brethren.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MEN OF SHECHEM - literally, “the masters.” Compare Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 23:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Ephraimite pride revolted from Abi-ezrite rulers, and inclined them to one who was a Shechemite by birth. (Compare the same spirit in the time of David and Rehoboam, 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16.)... [ Continue Reading ]
Such wholesale slaughters have always been common in Eastern monarchies, and are among the fruits of polygamy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Millo must have been a fortified place close to, but separate from, Shechem, and perhaps the same as the tower of Shechem mentioned in Judges 9:46. The building or enlarging of the better-known Millo, at Jerusalem was one of Solomon’s great works 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:24. The population dwelling i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TOP OF MOUNT GERIZIM - The ancient Shechem was perhaps situated there. The population of Shechem is supposed to have been keeping some public festival outside the city when Jotham addressed them.... [ Continue Reading ]
This fable and that noted in the marginal reference are the only two of the kind found in Scripture. Somewhat different are the parables of the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 12:1; 2 Samuel 14:5; 1 Kings 20:39. Judges 9:9 HONOUR GOD AND MAN - Alluding to the constant use of oil in the meat-offerings Levit... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD REIGNED - Rather, “had ruled.” It is not the phrase used in Judges 9:6. It looks as if the Shechemites alone had made him king, and the rest of Israel had submitted to his dominion, without allowing his title of king.... [ Continue Reading ]
It does not appear who Gaal, son of Ebed, was; he may have been an officer sent by Abimelech with a force to bring the men of Shechem back to their allegiance, but who tried to turn the rebellion to his own account. He got into Shechem with a band of men, “his brethren,” unopposed by Zebul, Abimelec... [ Continue Reading ]
Seditious and lawless acts Judges 9:25 now broke out into open rebellion. It was at an idolatrous feast in the house of Baal-berith, on occasion of the vintage, and when they were excited with wine, that the rebellion was matured. Those present began to “curse Abimelech,” to speak insultingly of him... [ Continue Reading ]
PRIVILY - See the margin. The word is probably the name of a place in “Tormah”, some think the same as “Arumah” Judges 9:41. Zebul was faithful to Abimelech, but dissembled his sentiments, from being too weak to oppose Gaal, until Abimelech came with his army Judges 9:38.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLAIN OF MEONENIM - Translate “the oak of the soothsayers” (see the margin). Some well-known oak, so called, but which is not mentioned elsewhere.... [ Continue Reading ]
After Gaal’s expulsion, “the people went out into the field,” either to complete the vintage, or for some other agricultural operation. “They” (Zebul and his party) sent word of this to Abimelech.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse explains the purpose of both the present and the former division of Abimelech’s forces into several companies, namely, that while some of the companies attacked the men of Shechem in the field, another company, starting from their ambush, might occupy the approach to the city gate, and so... [ Continue Reading ]
SOWED IT WITH SALT - Expressing by this action his hatred, and his wish, that when utterly destroyed as a city, it might not even be a fruitful field. Salt is the emblem of barrenness (see the marginal references).... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HOLD OF THE HOUSE OF THE GOD BERITH - As combining the advantages of a “sanctuary” (compare 1 Kings 2:28) and a fortress. The word rendered “hold” occurs elsewhere only in 1 Samuel 13:6, where it is rendered “high-place.” Its exact signification is uncertain.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZALMON - A lofty and thickly-wooded hill, as the etymology of the name (“shady”) implies, in the immediate neighborhood of Shechem: perhaps the same as Ebal. The setting fire to the hold, where the men of Shechem were all crowded together, with their wives and children, was the literal fulfillment o... [ Continue Reading ]
The men of Thebez (modern Tubas) had, doubtless, joined the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech.... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT HARD UNTO THE DOOR ... - i. e. went close to the door. An act of manifest danger, seeing the roof was covered with persons who would be likely to throw down missiles of all sorts on the heads of their assailants. But the hatred of Abimelech, and his thirst for revenge, made him despise danger.... [ Continue Reading ]
The phrase “all” to is now obsolete, and means “quite,” “entirely,” as in Chaucer, Spenser, and Milton.... [ Continue Reading ]