Judges 9:34-45 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:43

And he took the people ,.... That is, the forces he had with him at Arumah: and divided them into three companies : each having a separate leader, and the command of one of them he had himself: and laid wait in the field ; in the field of Shechem, one company in one part, and one in another part of the field: and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city ; he watched them when they did: and he rose up against them, and smote them ; the companies rose up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:44

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him ,.... Which he had the particular command of; or "the heads" F13 והראשים "et capita", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "et principes", Vatablus. , for in the company with him, as Kimchi observes, were great men; and so the Septuagint renders it, the princes that were with him: rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city ; to prevent the people that were in the field getting into it, and any from coming out of it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:45

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day ,.... By throwing stones or arrows into it: and he took the city ; it was surrendered to him, not being able to stand out against his forces: and slew the people that was therein ; all but those that were of his own family and his friends; all that had taken up arms against him, or had shown their dislike of his government, and were his enemies: and beat down the city ; the houses in it, and walls of it, though it was his native... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:35

Stood in the entering of the gate - Having probably got some intimation of the designs of Zebul and Abimelech. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:37

By the plain of Meonenim - Some translate, by the way of the oaks, or oaken groves; others, by the way of the magicians, or regarders of the times, as in our margin. Probably it was a place in which augurs and soothsayers dwelt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:45

And sowed it with salt - Intending that the destruction of this city should be a perpetual memorial of his achievements. The salt was not designed to render it barren, as some have imagined; for who would think of cultivating a city? but as salt is an emblem of incorruption and perpetuity, it was no doubt designed to perpetuate the memorial of this transaction, and as a token that he wished this desolation to be eternal. This sowing a place with salt was a custom in different nations... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:37

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. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:42

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. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:44

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 cut off their retreat. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:45

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). read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:43

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:44

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:45

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:35

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:37

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:45

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:37

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:42

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:44

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:45

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