judges-9:26-40-asv

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:37

‘ And Gaal spoke again, and said, “Look, people are coming down along the middle of the land, and one company comes by way of the Diviner’s oak.” ’ Gaal looked again and now he knew he was right. He saw two more companies, one coming through the middle between the two mountains and one coming by way of the Diviner’s oak, a tree where soothsayers practised their arts, which were forbidden in Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10; Leviticus 19:26), another sign of the disobedience of the land. read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:38

‘ Then Zebul said to him, “Where is now your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Is not this the people that you have despised? Go out now I pray you, and fight with them.” ’ The approaching forces were now so visible, and their purpose so obvious, that Zebul knew that he could keep up the pretence no longer. So now he challenged Gaal to live up to his boasting. Let him consider what he had said so arrogantly. He had spoken disparagingly of this people. So now... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:39

‘ And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.’ Possibly stirred by the taunts of Zebul, instead of shutting the gates of the city, which could anyway only be a holding device for a time, Gaal called the Shechemites who were supporting him and went out to meet Abimelech in battle. And there the battle was fought. read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:40

‘ And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even to the entering of the gate.’ Defeated, Gaal and his troops retreated towards the gates, but in their retreat many fell wounded, until at last they reached the gates where men held them partly open until they were inside and obtained refuge. And then the gates were closed to keep out Abimelech and his men. read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:22-41

Judges 9:22-Mark : . The Sedition of the Shechemites.— The statement that Abimelech was “ prince over Israel” is an exaggeration, and the chronological note is probably by R. Judges 9:23 . The Shechemites soon tired of the government of their “ brother” ( Judges 9:3). God sent an evil spirit between the king and his subjects; cf. the evil spirit from the Lord that possessed Saul ( 1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Samuel 18:10), and misled the prophets of Ahab ( 1 Kings 22:19-Isaiah :); and recall the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:26

It is not known who or of what tribe Gaal was; but it is evident that he was a man very considerable for wealth, and strength, and counsel, and interest, and ill-pleased with Abimelech’s power. Went over to Shechem, by his presence and counsel to animate and assist them against Abimelech. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:27

They went out into the fields, which, till his coming, they durst not do, for fear of Abimelech; but now took confidence to do so, in contempt of him. Made merry; partly from the custom of rejoicing and singing songs in vintage time, Leviticus 19:24; Isaiah 16:10; Jeremiah 25:30; and partly for the hopes of their redemption from Abimelech’s tyranny. The house of their god, Baal-berith, Judges 9:4; either to beg his help against Abimelech, or to give him thanks, either for the fruits of the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:28

Who is Abimelech? what is he but a base-born person, an ambitious, imperious, and cruel tyrant, and one every way unfit and unworthy to govern you? Who is Shechem? Shechem is here the name, either, 1. Of the place or city of Shechem; and so the Hebrew particle mi, who, is put for mah, what, as it is Judges 13:17; and then the sense of the place is this: Consider how obscure and unworthy a person Abimelech is, and what a potent and honourable city Shechem is; and judge you whether it be fit that... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:29

Under my hand, i.e. 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 hearkening after Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour. Then would I remove Abimelech; as you have driven him out of your city, I would drive him out of your country. He said to Abimelech; he sent this message or challenge to him, I desire not to surprise thee at any disadvantage; strengthen... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:30

It seems he had temporized and complied with the people’s humour and plot against Abimelech, either in dissimulation and design, and by Abimelech’s connivance or advice, or really; but when he heard Gaal’s words, and himself traduced and struck at by them, he changed his mind, repented of his defection from Abimelech, and intended to return himself, and to bring the people again to the obedience of their lord and king. read more

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:37

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:38

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:39

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:40

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:22-41

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:26

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:27

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:28

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:29

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:30

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