1 Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brethren, is made king
7 Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin
22 Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him
30 Zebul reveals it
34 Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt
46 He burns the hold of the god Berith
50 At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone
56 Jotham's curse if fulfilled.

Abimelech Jud 8:31

Shechem Ge 33:18 34:2 1Ki 12:1

communed 2Sa 15:6 1Ki 12:3,20 Ps 83:2-4 Jer 18:18

2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

whether, etc. Heb. What is good? whether etc. Threescore Jud 8:30

your bone Ge 29:14 2Sa 19:13 1Ch 11:1 Eph 5:30 Heb 2:14

3 And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.

spake Ps 10:3 Pr 1:11-14

to follow. Heb. after. our brother Ge 29:15

4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.

house Jud 9:46-49 8:33

vain. worthless and dissolute men; persons who were living on the public, and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such unprincipled men most revolutions are brought about. Jud 11:3 1Sa 22:2 2Ch 13:7 Job 30:8 Pr 12:11 Ac 17:5

5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

at Ophrah Jud 6:24

slew 2Ki 10:17 11:1,2 2Ch 21:4 Mt 2:16,20

6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.

the house 2Sa 5:9 2Ki 12:20

millo. Probably the name of a person of note in Shechem. plain or oak Jos 24:26 1Ki 12:1,20,25

7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

mount Gerizim De 11:29 27:12 Jos 8:33 Joh 4:20

Hearken Ps 18:40,41 50:15-21 Pr 1:28,29 21:13 28:9 Isa 1:15 58:6-10 Mt 18:26-34 Jas 2:13

8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

the trees. This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is extremely beautiful, apposite, and intelligible. 2Ki 14:9 Eze 17:3 Da 4:10

olive tree. The zayith or olive tree, in the Linnean system, is a genus of the diandra monogynia class of plants. It is of a moderate height, and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is knotty; bark smooth, of an ash colour: wood solid and yellowish; leaves oblong, almost like those of the willow, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and whitish below. In June it puts forth white flowers, growing in bunches, each of one piece, widening towards the top, and dividing into four parts. After this succeeds the fruit, which is oblong and plump; first green, then pale, and when quite ripe, black. Within it is enclosed a hard stone, filled with oblong seeds. It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the bramble was the meanest and most worthless. reign Jud 8:22,23

9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

wherewith Ex 29:2,7 35:14 Le 2:1 1Ki 19:15,16 Ps 89:20 104:15 Ac 4:27 10:38 1Jo 2:20

God. elohim, rather gods; the parable being adapted to the idolatrous Shechemites. to be promoted over the trees. Heb. up and down for other trees. Job 1:7 2:2

10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Lu 13:6,7

12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

cheereth Nu 15:5,7,10 Ps 104:15 Pr 31:6 Ec 10:19

14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

bramble. or thistle 2Ki 14:9

15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

shadow Isa 30:2 Da 4:12 Ho 14:7 Mt 13:32

let fire Jud 9:20,49 Nu 21:28 Isa 1:31 Eze 19:14

the cedars 2Ki 14:9 Ps 104:16 Isa 2:13 37:24 Eze 31:3

16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

according Jud 8:35

17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

fought Jud 7:1 8:4-10

adventured his life. Heb. cast his life Es 4:16 Ro 5:8 16:4 Re 12:11

18 And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

are risen Jud 9:5,6 8:35 Ps 109:4

Abimelech Jud 9:6,14 8:31

19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

rejoice Isa 8:6 Php 3:3 Jas 4:16

20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

let fire come out Jud 9:15,23,56,57 7:22 2Ch 20:22,23 Ps 21:9,10 28:4 52:1-5 120:3,4 140:10

21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

Beer. Probably the Beer mentioned by Mr. Maundrell, three hours and a half, or about ten miles, north of Jerusalem, towards Shechem. It is situated toward the south, on an easy declivity; and has a fountain of excellent water at the bottom of the hill, from which it has taken its name. Close to the well are the mouldering walls of a ruined khan; and on the summit of the hill two large arches still remain of a ruined convent. Dr. Richardson says, that it seems to have been once a place of considerable consequence. Nu 21:16 Jos 19:8 2Sa 20:14

22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,

23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

A.M. 2771. B.C. 1233. An. Ex. Is. 258. God. That is, God permitted the evil spirit of jealousy, treachery, and discord, to break out between Abimelech and the Shechemites. Jud 9:15,20 1Sa 16:14-16 18:9,10 1Ki 12:15 22:22,23 2Ch 10:15 18:19-22 Isa 19:2,14 2Th 2:11,12

dealt Jud 9:16 Isa 33:1 Mt 7:2

24 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

that the 1Sa 15:33 1Ki 2:32 Es 9:25 Ps 7:16 Mt 23:34-36

aided him in the killing of Heb. strengthened his hands to kill. Sooner or later, God will make inquisition for blood, and will return it on the heads of those that shed it. Accessaries will be reckoned with, as well as principals, in that and other sins. The Shechemites, who countenanced Abimelech's pretensions, aided and abetted him in his bloody project, and avowed the fact by making him king after he had done it, must fall with him, fall by him, and fall first. Those that combine together to do wickedly, are justly dashed in pieces one against another. Blood cannot be a lasting cement to any interest.

25 And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

Jos 8:4,12,13 Pr 1:11,12

26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

brethren Ge 13:8 19:7

27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

merry. or, songs Isa 16:9,10 24:7-9 Jer 25:30 Am 6:3-6

the house Jud 9:4 16:23 Ex 32:6,19 Da 5:1-4,23

did eat Isa 22:12-14 Lu 12:19,20 17:26-29

cursed Le 24:11 1Sa 17:43 Ps 109:17

28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?

who is Abimelech 1Sa 25:10 2Sa 20:1 1Ki 12:16

Hamor Ge 34:2,6

29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

would to God. The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue 2Sa 15:4 1Ki 20:11 Ps 10:3 Ro 1:30,31

And he said. Rather, and I would say to Abimelech, as the LXX renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him. increase thine army 2Sa 2:14-17 2Ki 14:8 18:23 Isa 36:8,9

30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

kindled, or hot

31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.

privily. Heb. craftily, or to Tormah. they fortify. Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers, they were actually putting the place in a state of defence, intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them.

32 Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

by night Job 24:14-17 Ps 36:4 Pr 1:11-16 4:16 Ro 3:15

33 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

as thou shalt find. Heb. as thine hand shall find Le 25:26 1Sa 10:7 25:8 Ec 9:10

34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

Gaal. Of this person we know no more than is here recorded. He was probably one of the descendants of the Canaanites, who hoped, from the state of the public mind and their disaffection to Abimelech, to cause a revolution, and thus to restore the ancient government as it was under Hamor, the father of Shechem. Josephus says he was a man of authority, who sojourned with them, with his armed men and kinsmen; and that the Shechemites desired that he would allow them a guard during the vintage. the people Jud 9:44

36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

seest the shadow. Doubdan states, that in some parts of the Holy Land there are many detached rocks scattered up and down, some growing out of the ground, and others fragments broken off from rocky precipices, the shadow of which, it appears, Josephus thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of men at a distance, rather than that of the mountains; for he represents Zebul as saying to Gaal, that he mistook the shadow of the rocks for men. Eze 7:7 Mr 8:24

37 And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

middle. Heb. navel. Meonenim. or the regarders of the times De 18:14

38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

Jud 9:28,29 2Sa 2:26,27 2Ki 14:8-14 Jer 2:28

39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

he fled before 1Ki 20:18-21,30

41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Arumah. This place appears from the next verse to have been near Shechem; and is perhaps the same as Ruma, a village of Galilee, mentioned by Josephus, Bell. Jud 9:28,30

42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

44 And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

rushed forward Jud 9:15,20 Ga 5:15

45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

he took Jud 9:20

beat De 29:23 1Ki 12:25 2Ki 3:25 Ps 107:34 Eze 47:11 Zep 2:9 Jas 2:13

sowed. Salt in small quantities renders land extremely fertile; but too much of it destroys vegetation. Every place, says Pliny, in which salt is found is barren, and produces nothing. Hence the sowing of a place with salt was a custom in different nations to express permanent desolation. Sigonium observes, that when Milan was taken, A.D. 1162, the walls were razed, and it was sown with salt. And Brantome informs us, that it was an ancient custom in France, to sow the house of a man with salt, who had been declared a traitor to his king. Charles IX., king of France, the most base and perfidious of human beings, caused the house of Admiral Coligni (whom he and the Duke of Guise caused to be murdered, with thousands more of Protestants, on the eve of St. Bartholomew, 1572) to be sown with salt!

46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

an hold Jud 9:4,27 8:33 1Ki 8:26 2Ki 1:2-4 Ps 115:8 Isa 28:15-18 37:38

47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.

Zalmon Ps 68:14

What ye Jud 7:17,18 Pr 1:11,12

me do. Heb. I have done

49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

put them Jud 9:15,20 Ga 5:15 Jas 3:16

50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

Thebez. According to Eusebius, thirteen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis.

51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

Jud 9:48,49 2Ki 14:10 15:16

53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.

woman Jud 9:15,20 2Sa 11:21 20:21 Job 31:3 Jer 49:20 50:45

and all to. An antiquated expression, meaning full intention to complete an object. All to, observes Dr. Johnson, is a particle of mere enforcement.

54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

draw thy 1Sa 31:4,5

and his young man. It was a disgrace to be killed by a woman.

55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

2Sa 18:16 20:21,22 1Ki 22:35,36 Pr 22:10

56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

God rendered. Both the fratricide Abimelech and the unprincipled men of Shechem had the iniquity visited upon them of which they had been guilty. Man's judgment may be avoided; but there is no escape from that of God. How many houses have been sown with salt in France, by the just judgment of God, for the massacre of the Protestants on the eve of St. Bartholomew! Jud 9:45,24 Job 31:3 Ps 9:12 11:6 58:10,11 94:23 Pr 5:22 Mt 7:2 Ac 28:4 Ga 6:7 Re 19:20,21

57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

upon them Jud 9:20,45 Jos 6:26 1Ki 16:34