Judges 9:22-24

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:23

God sent an evil spirit - He permitted jealousies to take place which produced factions; and these factions produced insurrections, civil contentions, and slaughter. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:22

Had reigned - Rather, “had ruled.” It is not the phrase used in Judges 9:6. It looks as if the Shechemites alone had made him king, and the rest of Israel had submitted to his dominion, without allowing his title of king. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:22

Judges 9:22. Had reigned three years over Israel For though the men of Shechem were the first authors of Abimelech’s advancement, the rest of the people easily consented to that form of government which they so much desired. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:23-24

Judges 9:23-24. God sent an evil spirit That is, gave Satan permission to work upon their minds. That the cruelty done to the sons of Jerubbaal, &c. That is, the punishment of the cruelty. Men may do evil, and think they have profited themselves; may imagine they have strengthened themselves in their wickedness, and are quite secure; that they have procured themselves friends, who will stand by them, and save them: but God can, with the greatest ease, make all the devices of the... 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 9:22

reigned = exercised power over. Hebrew. sur, Occurs only here, and Hosea 8:4 ; Hosea 12:4 . three years. A usurpation, and therefore not included in Anno Dei reckoning. See App-50 . They are concurrent with Tola's first three. read more

Group of Brands