_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 ]