Judges 9:45 NIV

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 9:45

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:45

And sowed it with salt - Intending that the destruction of this city should be a perpetual memorial of his achievements. The salt was not designed to render it barren, as some have imagined; for who would think of cultivating a city? but as salt is an emblem of incorruption and perpetuity, it was no doubt designed to perpetuate the memorial of this transaction, and as a token that he wished this desolation to be eternal. This sowing a place with salt was a custom in different nations... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:45

Sowed it with salt - Expressing by this action his hatred, and his wish, that when utterly destroyed as a city, it might not even be a fruitful field. Salt is the emblem of barrenness (see the marginal references). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:45

Judges 9:45. And sowed it with salt In token of his desire of their utter and irrecoverable destruction. For places situated in a salt soil being barren by nature, the sowing of salt upon a place was a symbolical custom among the eastern people, at that time, to express great hatred and anger against any place, being as much as to express a desire that it should never be inhabited again, or produce its usual products, but become barren like a salt soil. For we cannot imagine that sowing of... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:45

Judges 9:45. And sowed it with salt— Salt, in a certain quantity, makes land barren. Hence, in Scripture, a land of salt signifies a barren land; Deuteronomy 29:23.Psalms 107:33-34; Psalms 107:33-34.Zephaniah 2:9; Zephaniah 2:9. Prophane authors use the same expression. See Plin. lib. 31: cap. 7. Virg. Georg. 2: ver. 238 and Bich. Hieroz. pars 1: lib. 3. Abimelech intended by this ceremony to shew his hatred of the Shechemites, by wishing that their city might lie waste, and be a perpetual... 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 9:22-49

Abimelech’s reign 9:22-49Abimelech’s rule over Israel appears to have been very small in scope as well as short in duration. He was only the ruler of Shechem and its surrounding territory. He evidently lived in Arumah about five miles to the southeast of Shechem (Judges 9:41).". . . Abimelech’s government was not a monarchical reign, but simply a tyrannical despotism." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, p. 365.] The "evil spirit" that God sent between Abimelech and the men of Shechem (Judges 9:24) was... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 9:22-49

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:45

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 9:45

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 9:45

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 9:1-57

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 9:45

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 9:22-49

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

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