Judges 9:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 9:4

(4) Pieces.—Rather, shekels, which is the word normally understood in similar phrases (Judges 8:26). “Neither the citizens of Shechem nor the ignobly-ambitious bastard understood what true monarchy was, and still less what it ought to be in the commonwealth of Jehovah” (Ewald, ii. 389).Out of the house of Baal-berith.—Like most temples in ancient days (e.g., that of Venus on Mount Eryx, the Parthenon, and that of Jupiter Latiaris), this served at once as a sanctuary, a fortress, and a bank.... 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 9:3-4

Take notice, how the scheme was carried on. It began in man ' s ambition, unauthorized by God, and was kept up by bribes from an idol. Thus laid in sin; what can the end be but vanity and vexation of spirit? The wages of sin is death. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Judges 9:4

Weight. Hebrew, Chaldean, and Septuagint do not express what quantity of silver was given. (Menochius) --- But sicle on such occasions is generally supplied. (Calmet) --- Hence this sum would amount to little more than 8 l. sterling. (Haydock) --- As this appears too insignificant a sum to maintain an army, (Calmet) some would supply pounds, each consisting of 24 sicles, or talents, which were equivalent to 3000 sicles. (Menochius) --- But this is without example, and the army of Abimelech was,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:1-6

1-6 The men of Shechem chose Abimelech king. God was not consulted whether they should have any king, much less who it should be. If parents could see what their children would do, and what they are to suffer, their joy in them often would be turned into sorrow: we may be thankful that we cannot know what shall happen. Above all, we should fear and watch against sin; for our evil conduct may produce fatal effects upon our families, after we are in our graves. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Judges 9:1-6

Abimelech Becomes King v. 1. And Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, by his concubine, Judges 8:31, went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, all her nearest relatives, and communed with them and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, v. 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? He presumes that the... read more

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