Judges 9:15

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:15

And the bramble said unto the trees ,.... Accepting of their offer at once: if ye in trust anoint me king over you ; suspecting they were not hearty and cordial in their choice and call to the kingly authority over them: then come and put your trust in my shadow ; promising protection to them as his subjects, requiring their confidence in him, and boasting of the good they should receive from him, as is common with wicked princes at their first entering on their office; but, alas!... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:15

Come and put your trust in any shadow - The vain boast of the would-be sovereign; and of the man who is seeking to be put into power by the suffrages of the people. All promise, no performance. Let fire come out of the bramble - A strong catachresis. The bramble was too low to give shelter to any tree; and so far from being able to consume others, that the smallest fire will reduce it to ashes, and that in the shortest time. Hence the very transitory mirth of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:8-20

This fable and that noted in the marginal reference are the only two of the kind found in Scripture. Somewhat different are the parables of the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 12:1-4; 2 Samuel 14:5-11; 1 Kings 20:39-40.Judges 9:9Honour God and man - Alluding to the constant use of oil in the meat-offerings Leviticus 2:1-16, and in the holy ointment Exodus 30:24-25. In like manner, the allusion in Judges 9:13 is to the drink-offerings of wine. See Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:10.Judges 9:14The bramble -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:14-15

Judges 9:14-15. Then said all the trees unto the bramble, &c. Or thorn, fitly representing Abimelech, the son of a concubine, and a person of small use and great cruelty. If in truth ye anoint me king If you deal truly and justly in making me king. Then trust Then you may expect protection under my government. Devour the cedars Instead of protection, you shall receive destruction by me; especially you cedars, that is, nobles, such as the house of Millo, who have been most forward... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 9:1-57

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 9:15

put your trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah . App-69 . read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 9:1-57

3. The story of Abimelech ch. 9The story of Abimelech connects directly with the story of Gideon. It is the sequel to and indeed the climax of the Gideon story, and it portrays the disastrous results of Gideon’s legacy. Though Abimelech sought a place of leadership in Israel, God did not raise him up as a judge. His history is of interest primarily because of the light it throws on this period of Israel’s national life and the continuing decline in Israel. Furthermore we can see what had become... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 9:7-21

Jotham’s fable 9:7-21Before Abimelech’s sole surviving brother went into hiding, he uttered a protest against Abimelech that predicted the effect of his rule. Jotham (lit. Yahweh is perfect, honest) stood on the same mountain where six of Israel’s tribes had declared the blessings of abiding by the Law of Yahweh and denounced the Shechemites for their foolish and wicked actions. The contrast between the Israelites’ commitments in Joshua 8, 24 and this passage must be one reason the writer... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:1-57

The Story of AbimelechThis chapter breaks the regular order of the book, since Abimelech is not thought of as a judge, and the Canaanites are not here regarded as oppressors. The story, however, throws a valuable light on the way in which Israel fell into unfaithfulness, when free from the yoke of foreign oppression.1-6. The rise of Abimelech.1. As being born out of regular wedlock, Abimelech would be brought up at first in his mother’s family, and reckoned as belonging to it (Judges 9:2). It... read more

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