Judges 9:38-40. Then said Zebul, Where is now thy mouth, &c. Now show thyself a man, and fight valiantly for thyself and the people. And he fled Being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and probably not fully prepared for the encounter. read more
The story of Abimelech (9:1-57)Gideon had about seventy sons. One of these, Abimelech, was not a full-blooded Israelite, for his mother was a Shechemite. (The Shechemites were a group of Canaanites who lived peaceably among the Israelites; see Genesis 12:6; Genesis 34:1-31; Joshua 24:32.) With the help of some worthless Shechemites, Abimelech killed all his brothers (except one who escaped) and established himself ‘king’ in Shechem. His ‘kingdom’ probably consisted only of Shechem and a few... read more
Shechem. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "the son of Shechem". read more
would to God = would that. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 . And he said. The Septuagint reads "and say". read more
privily = deceitfully or craftily. Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. read more
now. A special various reading called S evir has "thou" (emphatic) instead of "now" = I pray thee, thou, &c. read more
GAAL STIRS UP REBELLION (Judges 9:26-29)"And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. And they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod the grapes, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is he not the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer?... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:35-36
Judges 9:35-36. Gaal went out and stood To put his army in order, and to conduct them against Abimelech, whom he supposed to be at a great distance. He said to Zebul Who concealed the anger which he had conceived, (Judges 9:30,) and pretended compliance with him in this expedition, that he might draw him forth into the field, where Abimelech might have the opportunity of fighting with him, and overthrowing him. The shadow For in the morning, as this was, and in the evening, the shadows... read more