Juízes 9:7-57 NVIPT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:7-21

We have here the only testimony that appears to have been borne against the wicked confederacy of Abimelech and the men of Shechem. It was a sign they had provoked God to depart from them that neither any prophet was sent nor any remarkable judgment, to awaken this stupid people, and to stop the progress of this threatening mischief. Only Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, who by a special providence escaped the common ruin of his family (Jdg. 9:5), dealt plainly with the Shechemites, and his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:22-49

Three years Abimelech reigned, after a sort, without any disturbance; it is not said, He judged Israel, or did any service at all to his co 7611 untry, but so long he enjoyed the title and dignity of a king; and not only the Shechemites, but many other places, paid him respect. They must have been fond of a king that could please themselves with such a one as this. But the triumphing of the wicked is short. Within three years, as the years of a hireling, all this glory shall be contemned, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:50-57

We have seen the ruin of the Shechemites completed by the hand of Abimelech; and now it comes to his turn to be reckoned with who was their leader in villany. Thebez was a small city, probably not far from Shechem, dependent upon it, and in confederacy with it. Now, I. Abimelech attempted the destruction of this city (Jdg. 9:50), drove all the inhabitants of the town into the castle, or citadel, Jdg. 9:51. When he had them there he did not doubt but he should do the same execution here that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:7

And when they told it to Jotham ,.... Or when it was told him that Abimelech was made king in Shechem by some of his friends: he went and stood in the top of Mount Gerizim ; a mount near Shechem; it hung over the city, as Josephus says F3 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 7. sect. 2. , and so a very proper place to stand on and deliver a speech from it to the inhabitants of it; who, as the same writer says, were now keeping a festival, on what account he says not, perhaps to Baalberith their idol:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:8

The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them ,.... This is an apologue or fable, and a very fine and beautiful one; it is fitly expressed to answer the design, and the most ancient of the kind, being made seven hundred years before the times of Aesop, so famous for his fables, and exceeds anything written by him. By the trees are meant the people of Israel in general, and the Shechemites in particular, who had been for some time very desirous of a king, but could not persuade... read more

John Gill

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

But the olive tree said unto them ,.... In reply to the request of the trees: should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man ; by "fatness" oil is meant, pressed out of the fruit of the olive tree, and which was much made use of both in the burning of the lamps in the tabernacle, and in many sacrifices, as the meat offerings and others, whereby God was honoured; and it was also made use of in the investiture of the greatest personages with the highest offices among... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:10

And the trees said to the fig tree ,.... Another useful and fruit bearing tree, and to which also good men are sometimes compared, see Song of Solomon 2:13 , come thou, and reign over us : which Jarchi applies to Deborah, but may be better applied to one of Gideon's sons, who, though they had not a personal offer of kingly government themselves, yet it was made to them through their father, and refused, as for himself, so for them; and had it been offered to them, they would have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:11

And the fig tree said unto them ,.... Rejecting the offer made: should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit ; for such the fruit of the fig tree is, sweet and good: so Julian F4 Opera, par. 2. ep. 24. Sarapioni, p. 142. the emperor shows from various authors, Aristophanes, Herodotus, and Homer, that nothing is sweeter than figs, excepting honey, and that no kind of fruit is better, and, where they are, no good is wanting: and go to be promoted over the trees ? the same is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:12

Then said the trees unto the vine ,.... Another emblem of good and useful men; and it may be observed, that Jotham takes no notice of any trees but fruitful ones till he comes to the bramble, and them only such as were well known, and of the greatest use, in the land of Judea, as olives, figs, and vines, see Deuteronomy 8:8 . come thou, and reign over us ; this Jarchi applies to Gideon; but since there are three sorts of trees brought into the fable, and when the kingdom was offered to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:13

And the vine said unto them ,.... By way of denial and refusal, as the other two: shall I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man ; which being used in the drink offerings was acceptable to God, and of a sweet savour to him, Numbers 15:7 and being drank by than, revives, refreshes, and makes glad, when before sorrowful, drooping, faint, and weary, Psalm 104:15 though some by Elohim, rendered God, understand great personages, as men of quality, magistrates, &c.; and by man the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:7-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:22-49

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:50-57

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:8

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:13

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