Judges 9:1-6 KJV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:4

Threescore and ten pieces of silver - Probably shekels; and this was the whole of his exchequer. As he was now usurping the government of God, he begins with a contribution from the idol temple. A work begun under the name and influence of the devil is not likely to end to the glory of God, or to the welfare of man. Hired vain and light persons - ופחזים ריקים אנשים anashim reykim uphochazim , worthless and dissolute men; persons who were living on the public, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:5

Slew his brethren - His brothers by the father's side, Judges 8:30 . This was a usual way of securing an ill-gotten throne; the person who had no right destroying all those that had right, that he might have no competitors. Yet Jotham - was left - That is, all the seventy were killed except Jotham, if there were not seventy besides Jotham. All the histories of all the nations of the earth are full of cruelties similar to those of Abimelech: cousins, uncles, brothers,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:6

And all the house of Millo - If Millo be the name of a place, it is nowhere else mentioned in the sacred writings. But it is probably the name of a person of note and influence in the city of Shechem - the men of Shechem and the family of Millo. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:1

We are not told how soon after the death of Gideon these events happened. There must have been time for the apostacy and establishment of Baal-worship, and for the development of ill-will between Abimelech and his brethren. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:2

The men of Shechem - literally, “the masters.” Compare Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 23:11-12. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:3

The Ephraimite pride revolted from Abi-ezrite rulers, and inclined them to one who was a Shechemite by birth. (Compare the same spirit in the time of David and Rehoboam, 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16.) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:5

Such wholesale slaughters have always been common in Eastern monarchies, and are among the fruits of polygamy. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:6

Millo must have been a fortified place close to, but separate from, Shechem, and perhaps the same as the tower of Shechem mentioned in Judges 9:46-47. The building or enlarging of the better-known Millo, at Jerusalem was one of Solomon’s great works 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:24. The population dwelling in Millo though perhaps numerically small, had great weight from possessing the stronghold. Their giving Abimelech the title of king indicates the strong Canaanite influence at Shechem. All the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:1-3

Judges 9:1-3. Abimelech went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren That is, her relations; and communed with them To try if he could engage them to favour and aid the design he had conceived to usurp the government of Israel, in direct opposition to his father’s will, who had declared no son of his should rule over them. His mother had, probably, instilled into his mind some ambitious thoughts, and the name his father had given him, carrying royalty in its meaning, might help to blow up... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:4

Judges 9:4. They gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver To bear the charges which he would be put to in making good his pretensions. It is not said what the value of these pieces was: so many shekels would have been but a small present to make a man a prince, and too little to serve his purposes; and so many talents too much for them to give. Therefore the Vulgate translates it so many pounds weight of silver, which learned men approve. Out of the house of Baal-berith Out of the... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:1-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:4

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