Judges 9:22-41

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:22

When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel. The people in general consenting to what the men of Shechem had done, at least not opposing it, all being desirous of a king, and therefore put up with a mean person, rather than have none; though it is amazing they should, and that they had not rose up as one man against Abimelech, and avenged the blood of the sons of Gideon, who had been so useful and serviceable to them; it is indeed said that he reigned over all Israel, and his reign,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:23

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem ,.... Permitted, yea, gave a commission to Satan, the evil spirit, to go among them, who stirred up suspicions, jealousies, hatred, and ill will to one another, and sowed the seeds of discord and contention among them; or God gave them up to their own hearts' lusts, to think ill of one another, grow jealous, and meditate revenge: and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech ; did not openly declare their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:24

That the cruelty done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come ,.... That vengeance might come on the authors of it; so things were ordered in Providence that this might come to pass: and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them ; be charged to his account, and he suffer for shedding it: and upon the men of Shechem which aided him in killing of his brethren ; by giving him money to hire men to go with him to do it, and perhaps by words encouraging the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:25

And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains ,.... Of Ebal and Gerizim, which were near Shechem, by the way of which he passed when he came to that city, and these they set there, either to slay him, or to seize his person, and bring him to them: and they robbed all that came along that way by them ; that belonged to Abimelech and others also; and this they did to show their contempt of his government, and that they were no longer under it, and every man... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:26

And Gaal the son or Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem ,.... Who this Gaal was, and who his brethren, and from whence he came, and the place he went over, are all uncertain. Jarchi thinks he was a Gentile, and it looks, by some speeches of his afterwards, as if he was a descendant of Hamor, prince of Shechem, in the times of Jacob, who, since the expulsion of the Canaanites, his family had retired to some distant parts; but hearing of a difference between Abimelech and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:27

Before they kept within the city, and durst not stir out to gather in the vintage, the time being come, for fear of the troops of Abimelech; for their lying in wait for him, and the robberies committed being made known to him, he had prepared to raise some forces, and attack them, of which they had had information; but now being encouraged with the protection of Gaal, they ventured out to gather their grapes in their vineyards without fear: and trode the grapes, and made merry : sung songs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:28

And Gaal the son of Ebed said ,.... As they were then making merry, drinking and carousing: who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him ? who is this Abimelech the Shechemite? or who is he more than Shechem, the old prince of this place, long ago dispossessed of it? the one is no better than the other, nor has a better title to rule and government than the other, that we should serve him; nay, of the two, the descendants of the old Shechem have the best title: is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:29

And would to God this people were under my hand ,.... Or government, that I were but the ruler of their city, and general of their forces: then would I remove Abimelech ; from his kingly office, and rid Shechem of him, and all the country round about, and indeed remove him out of the world: and he said to Abimelech ; as if he was present, in a hectoring and blustering manner; or he said what follows to his officer under him, that represented him; or he sent a messenger to him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:30

And when Zebul the ruler of the city ,.... Whom Abimelech had placed there under him: heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled ; because he spoke slightly of him, and wished to have his place; perhaps before Zebul was inclined to be on the side of the Shechemites against Abimelech, or at least dissembled that he was; but now, being incensed at the words of Gaal, determined to take the side of Abimelech, and let him know how things were carrying on against him. read more

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