Judges 9:42-57

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 9:42

And it came to pass on the morrow ,.... The day after the battle: that the people went out into the field ; some think to fight, and try the event of another battle, in order to be freed from Abimelech, but that seems not so likely: rather to finish their vintage, as Josephus F12 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 7. sect. 4. , or to till their ground, to plough and sow, which quickly came on after the vintage was ended; find this they might do the more securely, since Abimelech had withdrawn... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:43

And he took the people ,.... That is, the forces he had with him at Arumah: and divided them into three companies : each having a separate leader, and the command of one of them he had himself: and laid wait in the field ; in the field of Shechem, one company in one part, and one in another part of the field: and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city ; he watched them when they did: and he rose up against them, and smote them ; the companies rose up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:44

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him ,.... Which he had the particular command of; or "the heads" F13 והראשים "et capita", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "et principes", Vatablus. , for in the company with him, as Kimchi observes, were great men; and so the Septuagint renders it, the princes that were with him: rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city ; to prevent the people that were in the field getting into it, and any from coming out of it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:45

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day ,.... By throwing stones or arrows into it: and he took the city ; it was surrendered to him, not being able to stand out against his forces: and slew the people that was therein ; all but those that were of his own family and his friends; all that had taken up arms against him, or had shown their dislike of his government, and were his enemies: and beat down the city ; the houses in it, and walls of it, though it was his native... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:46

And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that ,.... That the city of Shechem was taken, the inhabitants of it slain, the city beaten down, and sowed with salt; by which it appears that this tower was not within the city, for then the men of it would have seen what was done, and not be said only to hear it; though it was not far from it, and possessed by Shechemites, and whither some of the principal inhabitants had now fled for safety; perhaps it is the same with the house of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:47

And it was told Abimelech ,.... Who had his spies about, and particularly to observe the motions of the men in this tower: that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together ; in the hold of the temple of Baalberith. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:48

And Abimelech got him up to Mount Zalmon ,.... A mountain near Shechem, and thought to be the same with Salmon in Psalm 68:14 which seems to have had its name from the shade of the trees which grew upon it: he and all the people that were with him ; his whole army: and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees ; which grew upon Mount Zalmon: and took it, and laid it on his shoulders ; and carried it along with him: and said unto the people that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:49

And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech ,.... With their boughs on their shoulders, so that they were men that seemed to be as trees walking: and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them ; upon the men in it, or with them, the boughs of trees; it is probable the hold was made of wood, and so could the more easily be set on fire. Jarchi says it was a wood or forest, where they bent the trees, and divided them round about, and made a... read more

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