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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:1-57

The Story of AbimelechThis chapter breaks the regular order of the book, since Abimelech is not thought of as a judge, and the Canaanites are not here regarded as oppressors. The story, however, throws a valuable light on the way in which Israel fell into unfaithfulness, when free from the yoke of foreign oppression.1-6. The rise of Abimelech.1. As being born out of regular wedlock, Abimelech would be brought up at first in his mother’s family, and reckoned as belonging to it (Judges 9:2). It... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 9:28

(28) Who is Abimelech?—This is obviously contemptuous, like “Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse?” in 1 Samuel 25:10.Who is Shechem?—The meaning of this clause is very obscure. It can hardly be a contrast between the insignificance of Abimelech and the grandeur of Shechem (Vulg., quœ est Shechem?). Some say that “Shechem” means “Abimelech;” but there is no trace of kings assuming the name of the place over which they rule, nor does the LXX. mend matters much by interpolating the words,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 9:1-57

Judges 9:11 A tallow dip, of the long-eight description, is an excellent thing in the kitchen candlestick, and Betty's nose and eye are not sensitive to the difference between it and the finest wax; it is only when you stick it in the silver candlestick, and introduce it into the drawing-room, that it seems plebeian, dim, and ineffectual. Alas for the worthy man who, like that candle, gets himself into the wrong place! George Eliot, Amos Barton. Does he not drink more sweetly that takes his... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 9:1-57

5ABIMELECH AND JOTHAMJudges 8:29-35; Judges 9:1-57THE history we are tracing moves from man to man; the personal influence of the hero is everything while it lasts and confusion follows on his death. Gideon appears as one of the most successful Hebrew judges in maintaining order. While he was there in Ophrah religion and government had a centre "and the country was in quietness forty years." A man far from perfect but capable of mastery held the reins and gave forth judgment with an authority... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 9:1-57

CHAPTER 9 Abimelech the King and His Wickedness 1. The murder of Gideon’s sons (Judges 9:1-6 ) 2. Jotham’s parable (Judges 9:7-21 ) 3. Scenes of strife and destruction of Shechem (Judges 9:22-49 ) 4. Abimelech’s end (Judges 9:50-57 ) The story of Abimelech is intensely interesting in its typical meaning. Abimelech was the offspring of an unlawful union: the son of Gideon and the concubine in Shechem. He was half Israelite and half Canaanite. Abimelech means “my father was king”; he... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 9:1-57

GIDEON TO JAIR ABIMELECH’S USURPATION (Judges 9:1-6 ) The close of the last lesson shows idolatry creeping into Israel, the fruit of which is reaped in the years following. God is forgotten and Gideon also (Judges 8:34-35 ), the meaning of the last verse being interpreted by the story of Abimelech. This Abimelech fraternized with his nearest of kin, the relatives of his mother’s side (Judges 9:1-3 ), a striking instance, as one says, of the evils of polygamy, where one son of a father has... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Judges 9:1-57

Abimelech The Bramble King Judges 9:0 IS Abimelech dead? Has he reappeared in our own days? Or after the devil made Abimelech did he throw the mould away? These questions are not difficult. We can easily determine them, either in the positive or in the negative. It would be something worth doing to be able to establish as a fact the absolute certainty of the death of Abimelech and all his progeny. But we must take the evidence as we find it, and abide by the issue to which it points, whatever... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Judges 9:24-57

One general observation runs through the whole of this history, and meets the Reader in every part of it: namely, that God's judgments, sooner or later, overtake the sinner. The Shechemites are first punished by the apparent victory of Abimelech, but this victory only becomes the prelude to the death of Abimelech: so that both fall by the just judgment of Almighty God. So true and final is that solemn sentence of God: Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Judges 9:28

Sichem. Why should this ancient city be thus degraded? This son of Jerobaal deigns not to reside among us, but sets one of his servants over us! (Haydock) --- He mentions Jerobaal instead of Gedeon, to remind the people of the indignity formerly offered to their great idol, by the father of their present ruler. (Menochius) --- Hebrew may have another sense. "Who is Abimelech?....Is he not the son of Jerobaal, and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hemor," &c. It seems that Gaal was of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:22-29

22-29 Abimelech is seated in the throne his father refused. But how long does this glory last? Stay but three years, and see the bramble withered and burned. The prosperity of the wicked is short and fickle. The Shechemites are plagued by no other hand than Abimelech's. They raised him unjustly to the throne; they first feel the weight of his sceptre. read more

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