Judges 9

AN... Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, unto his mothers brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mothers father, saying,

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal (which are threescore and ten persons) reign over you He supposeth that they would take that Government which their Father modestly refused; and that the multitude of his Sons would occasion horrible Divisions, and Confusions, and Contests about the Sovereign Power; all which they might avoid, by choosing him King; and so they might enjoy the Monarchy which they had long and oft desired., or that one reign over you? Remember also, that I am your bone and your flesh Your Kinsman, of the same Tribe and City with you; which will be no small Honour and Advantage to you..

And his mothers brethren i. e. Kinsmen, as that word is oft used, as Gen. 14. 16. and 29. 12. spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech: for they said, He is our brother They were easily persuaded to believe and follow what served their own Interest..

And they gave him threescore and ten Agreeably to the number of his Enemies, Gideon's 70 Sons. pieces of silver Not Shekels, as some fancy, which were too small a Sum for this purpose; but far larger pieces, the exact worth whereof it is neither possible nor needful for us now to know. out of the house of Baal-berith Out of his Sacred Treasury; for even they who were very parsimonious and base in their Expences about Gods Service, were liberal in their Contributions to Idols; having since Gideon's Death, built this Temple (which he would never have suffered whilest he lived) and endowed it with considerable Revenues., wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons Unsettled, idle and necessitous persons, the most proper Instruments for Tyranny and Cruelty. which followed him.

And he went unto his fathers house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal The only persons who were likely to hinder him in establishing his Tyranny., being threescore and ten persons Wanting one, who is here expressed; And these Synecdochical expressions are frequent in Scripture, See Gen. 35. 26. and 42. 13. Numb. 14. 32, 33. Ioh. 20. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 5., upon one stone Whereby he would signifie, that this was either, 1. An act of Justice, in cutting them all off in an orderly matter, for some supposed Crime, probably, as designing Sedition and Rebellion: Or, 2. An act of Religion in avenging the dishonour and injury done to Baal by Gideon, Iudg. 6. 27, 28. upon his Children, whom he offered up as so many Sacrifices to Baal upon this Stone, which served for an Altar; and for this reason it seems the Money was taken out of Baal's House, because it was to be laid out in his Service.: notwithstanding, yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo Of a place or person so called; some eminent and potent Family living in Shechem, or near to it, either the Family of Abimelech's Mother, or some other; Or, and all Beth-millo; so Beth is not an House, but a part of the name of the place., and went and made Abimelech king To wit, over all Israel, v. 22. which was a strange Presumption for the inhabitants of one City to undertake; but they had many advantages and encouragements for it; as the eager, and general, and constant inclination of the Israelites to Kingly Government; Abimelech's being the Son of Gideon, to whom, and to his Sons, they offered the Kingdom, Iudg. 8. 22. And though the Father could, and did refuse it for himself; yet they might imagine, that he could not give away his Son's right, conveyed to them by the Israelites, in their offer; the universal defection of the Israelites from God to Baal, whose great Patron and Champion Abimelech pretended to be; the power and prevalency of the Tribe of, in which Shechem was, Ios. 20. 7. whose proud and imperious spirit, manifested Iudg. 8. 1. and 12. 1. would make them readily close with a King of their own Brethren; and Abimelech's getting the start of all others, having the Crown actually put upon his head, and an Army already raised to maintain his Tyranny., by the plain of the pillar Or, by the Oak of the Pillar, i. e. By the Oak, where Ioshua erected a Pillar as a Witness of the Covenant renewed between God and Israel, Ios. 24. 26. This place they chose, to signify that they still owned God, and their Covenant with him; and did not Worship Baal in opposition to God, but in conjunction with him, or in subordination to him. that was in Shechem.

¶ And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim Which lay near Shechem, and near Mount Ebal. The Valley between these two Mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, was a famous place, employed for a Religious use, even for the Solemn reading of the Law, and its Blessings and Curses, Deut. 11. 29. and 27. 12. Ios. 8. 33. and therefore it is probable it was still used, even by the Superstitious and Idolatrous Israelites for such like occasions, who delighted to use the same places which their Religious Ancestors had Consecrated and used., and lift up his voice, and cried So as they that stood in the Valley might hear him, though not suddenly come at him to take him., and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem Who are here met together upon a solemn occasion, as Iosephus notes, Abimelech being absent., that God may hearken unto you When you cry unto him for Mercy; so he conjures and perswades to give him patient Audience, as they did..

The trees went forth on a time A Parabolical Discourse, usual among the Ancients, especially in the Eastern parts; wherein, under the names of Trees, men are represented. to anoint a king i. e. To make a King, which was oft done among the Israelites, and some others, with the Ceremony of Anointing. over them, and they said unto the olivetree By which he understands Gideon., Reign thou over us.

But the olive-tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness wherewith by me they honour God In whose Worship and Service Oyl was used for divers things; as, about the Lamps, Exod. 35. 14. and Offerings, Levit. 2. 6, 7. and for the anointing of Sacred Persons and Things. and man For Oyl was used in the constitution of Kings, and Priests, and Prophets, and for a Present to great Persons, and to anoint the head and face, &c., and go to be promoted Heb. to move hither and thither, to wander to and fro, to exchange my sweet Tranquillity, for uncessant Cares and Travels for the good of others, as a King ought to do. over the trees?

And the trees said unto the fig-tree This, as also the Vine, v. 12. signifies the same thing with the Olive-Tree, but here are various expressions used, either for the decency of the Parable; or, because Gideon refused this Honour, both for himself, and for his Sons; or, to signify that the Sons of Gideon, whom Abimelech had so cruelly slain, upon pretence of their affecting the Kingdom, were as far from such thoughts as their Father; and therefore were unjustly and wickedly Murdered., Come thou, and reign over us.

But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness For which that fruit is particularly commended., and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheareth God Wherewith God is well pleased, because it was offered to God, Numb. 15. 5, 7, 10. and man See Psal. 104. 15. Prov. 3.... 6., and go to be promoted over the trees?

Then said all the trees unto the bramble Or, Thorn, a mean, and barren, and hurtful Tree, fitly representing Abimelech, the Son of a Concubine, and a person of small use, and great Cruelty., Come thou, and reign over us.

And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you If you deal truly and justly in making me King., then come, and put your trust in my shadow Then you may expect Protection under his Government.: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon Instead of Protection, you shall receive Destruction by him, especially you Cedars, i. e. Nobles, such as the House of Millo, who have been most forward in this work..

Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands:

(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far Heb. cast away his Soul or Life far off, out of his reach or power to recover it, i. e. Exposed himself to utmost hazard for your sakes., and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

And ye are risen up against my fathers house this day, and have slain Abimelech's fact is justly charged upon them, as done by their consent, approbation and assistance. his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his maid-servant His Concubine, whom he so calls by way of reproach, because Maidservants were oft made Concubines, Exod. 21. 7, 8, 9, 10. king over the men of Shechem By which limitation of their power, and his Kingdom, he reflects contempt upon him, and chargeth them with Presumption, That having only power over their own City, they durst impose a King upon all Israel., because he is your brother.)

If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal, and with his house this day, th... n rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo: and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech This is not a Prediction, but an Imprecation or Curse, as it is called v. 57. which, being grounded upon just cause, and being the only way by which Iotham could perform the Duty of the avenger of his Brethrens Blood, which was incumbent upon him; had its effect, as others in like case had, as Ios. 6. 26. compared with 1 King. 16. 34. and 2 King. 2. 24..

And Jotham ran away, and fled Which he might easily do, having the advantage of the Hill, and other accommodations for flight; and because the people were not forward to pursue a man whom they knew to have such just cause, and great provocation to speak, and so little power to do them any hurt., and went to Beer A place remote from Shechem, and out of Abimelech's reach There were divers places of that name., and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel For though the men of Shechem were the first Authors of Abimelech's advancement, it's more than probable, that the rest of the People easily consented to that form of Government which they so much desired; or at least, made no resistance against it.:

Then God sent an evil spirit God gave the Devil Commission to enter into, or work upon their minds and hearts; knowing, that he of himself, and by his own inclination, would fill them with mistakes, and jealousies, and dissentions, and heart-burnings, which would end in Civil Wars, and mutual ruine. between Abimelech, and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.

That the cruelty i. e. The punishment of the Cruelty. done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him To seize his person. in the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them To wit, such as favoured or served Abimelech; for to such only their Commission reached, though it may be they went beyond their bounds, and by Military License robbed all Passengers promiscuously.: and it was told Abimelech Who, as it is here implied, exercised Hostility towards the men of Shechem..

And Gaal the son of Ebed It is not known who, or of what Tribe he was; but it is evident, that he was a man very considerable for Wealth, and Strength, and Counsel, and Interest; and ill pleased with Abimelech's Power. came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem By his Presence and Counsel to animate and assist them against Abimelech.: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

And they went out into the fields Which, till his coming they durst not do, for fear of Abimelech; but now took confidence to do so, in contempt of him., and gathered their vineyards, and trod the grapes, and made merry Partly, from the Custom of rejoicing, and singing Songs in Vintage-time, Levit. 19. 24. Isa. 16. 10. Ier. 25. 30. and partly, for the hopes of their Redemption from Abimelech's Tyranny., and went into the house of their gods Baal-berith, v. 4. either to beg his help against Abimelech, or to give him thanks, either for the fruits of the Earth now received, or for the hopes of recovering their former, and lost Liberty., and did eat and drink To the honor of their Idols, and out of the Oblations made to them, as they used to do to the honor of Iehovah, and out of his Sacrifices., and cursed Abimelech Either by reviling and reproaching him after their manner; or rather in a more Solemn and Religious manner, Cursing him by their god, as Goliah did David, 1 Sam. 17. 43. Or, calling upon their god to ratify their Curses pronounced against him..

And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech What is he but a base-born person, an Ambitious, Imperious, and Cruel Tyrant, and one every way unfit and unworthy to govern you?, and who is Shechem Shechem is here the name, either, 1. Of the Place or City of Shechem; and so the Hebrew Particle mi, who, is put for mah, what, as it is Iudg. 13. 17. and then the sense of the place is this; Consider how obscure and unworthy a person Abimelech is, and what a Potent and Honorable City Shechem is; and judg you whether it be fit that such a City should be subject to such a Person: Or, rather 2. Of a person, even of Abimelech, named in the foregoing words, and described in those which follow, the son of Ierubbaal, between which Shechem is hemmed in, and therefore cannot conveniently belong to any other. He is called Shechem for the Shechemite, by a Metonymy of the subject, whereby the place is put for the person contained in it, and belonging to it; as, Egypt, Aethiopia, Seba, Iudea, Macedonia, and Achaia, &c. are put for the people of those Countreys, Iob 1. 15. and 6. 19. Psal. 68. 31. and 105. 38. Isa. 43. 3. Mat. 3. 5. Rom. 15. 26. Thus mi is taken properly, and the sense is, Who is this Shechemite? for so he was by the Mothers side, born of a Woman of your City, and she but his Concubine and Servant; Why should you submit to one so basely descended? that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal i. e. Of Gideon, a person obscure by his own Confession, Iudg. 6. 15. and famous only by his boldness and fierceness against that Baal which you justly honour and reverence, whose Altar he overthrew, and whose Worship he endeavoured to abolish.? And Zebul his officer And you are so unworthy and mean-spirited, that you do not only submit to him, but suffer his very Servants to bear rule over you, and enslave you; and particularly, this ignoble and hateful person Zebul.? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem If you love Bondage, call in the old Master and Lord of the place; choose not an upstart, as Abimelech is; but rather take one of the old Stock, one descended from Hamor, Gen. 34. 2. who did not carry himself like a Tyrant, as Abimelech did; but like a Father of his City of Shechem. This he might speak, either 1. Sincerely, as being himself a Canaanite and a Shechemite, and possibly come from one of those little ones whom Simeon and Levi spared when they slew all the grown Males, Gen. 34. 29. And it may be that he was one of the Royal Blood, a descendant of Hamor, who hereby sought to insinuate himself into their minds and Government, as it follows, v. 29. Would to God thus people were under my hand; which he might judg the people more likely to do, both because they were now united with the Canaanites in Religion; and because their present distress might oblige them to put themselves under him, who seemed or pretended to be a Valiant and Expert Comman... Or, 2. In way of decision, he being an Israelite; if you are so servile, serve some of the Children of Hamor; which because you rightly judg to be absurd and dishonourable, do not now submit to a far baser person; but cast off his Yoak, and recover your lost Liberties.: for why should we serve him?

And would to God this people were under my hand i. e. Under my Command; I wish you would unanimously submit to me, as your Captain and Governour; for he found them divided; and some of them hearkening after Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour., then would I remove Abimelech As you have driven him ou... of your City, I would drive him out of your Countrey., And he said to Abimelech He sent this Message or Challenge to him., Increase thine army, and come out I desire not to surprise thee at any disadvantage; strengthen thy self as much as thou canst, and come out into the open Field, that thou and I may decide it by our Arms..

¶ And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled It seems he had temporized and complyed with the peoples humour and Plot against Abimelech, either in dissim... ation and design, and by Abimelech's connivence or advice; or, really; but when he heard Gaal's words, and himself traduced, and struck at by them, he changed his mind, repented of his defection from Abimelech, and intended to return himself, and to bring the people again to the Obedience of their Lord and King..

And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily So as Gaal and his Confederates might not know it. Or, in Thormah; or, who was in Tormah; for some make it the name of the place where Abimelech was, which is called with some variation, Arumah, v. 41., saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his brethren be come to Shechem; and behold, they fortifie the city against thee They Besiege or Guard the City of Shechem, so as none may go out to thee, nor come in from thee..

Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lye in wait in the field.

And it shall be, that in the morning assoon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and behold, when he i. e. Gaal mentioned v. 33., and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entring of the gate of the city To put his Army in order, and to conduct them against Abimelech, whom he supposed to be at a great distance.; and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul Who concealed the anger which he had conceived, v. 30. and pretended compliance with him in this Expedition, that he might draw him forth into the Field where Abimilech might have the opportunity of Fighting with him, and overthrowing him., Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains, as if they were men For in the Morning, as this was, and in the Evening, the shadows are longest, and move most quickly. He intimates, that he was afraid of shadows..

And Gaal spake again, and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land Heb. by the navel of the Land. So he calls, either First, the middle of it, as the middle part of Greece and of Sicily are called the navel of them, by the Roman Writers, because the Navel is in the midst of Mans Body: Or, Secondly, The higher part of it, called the Mountains, v. 36. and here the navel, because it was raised above the other ground, as the Navel is above the rest of the Body., and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth i. e. Thy brags. Now thou betrayest thy fears, and therefore now show thy self a man, and fight valiantly for thy self and people. wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? Go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him Being surprized by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and possibly not fully prepared for the encounter., and many were overthrown and wounded Being pursued and overtaken by Abimelech., even unto the entring of the gate.

And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah He did not prosecute his Victory, but retreated to Arumah, partly to see the effect of this Fight, and whether the Shechemites would not of themselves return to his Government, being either persuaded by Zebul upon this occasion, or terrified by his strength and valour, or now by his clemency in proceeding no further against them: and partly, that being hereby grown more secure, he might have the greater advantage against them, which accordingly he here makes use of.; and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren Which he was inabled to do, because the Multitude, which is generally light and unstable, and judgeth of all things by Events, were now enraged against Gaal, suspecting him guilty either of Treachery, or Cowardize, or ill Conduct: and besides, they thought the expulsion of Gaal would sweeten and satisfie Abimelech, and make him give over the War against them. But though they were offended with Gaal, yet Zebul's interest was not so considerable with them, that he could prevail with them either to kill Gaal and his Brethren, or to yield themselves to Abimelech; and therefore he still complies with the People, and waits for a fairer opportunity, though in vain., that they should not dwell in Shechem.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field Either, First, to renew the Fight, and avenge themselves for their last loss, the great God hardening their hearts to their Destruction, and the accomplishment of his Word delivered to them by Iotham. But here is not one word about the Peoples Arming, or Resisting, or Fighting, as there was before, v. 39. but only of their Slaughter, v. 43, 44. Or, Secondly, to their usual, and then proper Imployments about their Lands: for though their Vintage was past, the Seed-time was now come, and other things were to be done in the Fields. Or, Thirdly, Upon some solemn occasion, not here expressed; possibly to make a solemn Procession, or perform some other Rites in the Fields, to the honour of their god Baal-berith, as the manner of the Heathen was, to make supplication to him for his help, and for better success; or only to go for that end to the house of their god Baal-berith, which is thought to have been in the Fields; as may seem from v. 27, 46. on a Mountain upon the East side of the City., and they told Abimelech.

And he took the people, and divided them into three companies Whereof he kept one with himself, v. 44. and put the rest under other Commanders., and laid wait in the field, and looked, and behold, the people were come forth out of the city, and he rose up against them and smote them.

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entring of the gate of the city To prevent their Retreat into the City, and give the other two Companies opportunity to Cut them off., and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt Not to make the place barren, as salt will do, for then he would have sowed the Fields, not the City; but in token of his detestation and desire of their utter and irrecoverable Destruction: for Salt is the symbole or sign of Perpetuity; Compare Numb. 18. 19. Deut. 29. 23. 2 Chron. 13. 5. Zeph. 2. 9..

¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem A strong place belonging to the City of Shechem, and made for its defence or security, but without the City. It is thought, this was that Millo which was confederate with Shechem in their design against Abimelech, v. 6. which also Iotham Cursed with Shechem, v. 20. and that Curse is noted to have its Effect, v. 57. And this place may be called the Tower of Shechem; either because those who possessed and defended it, were sent from Shechem: Or, because it was built and kept for the safe-guard of Shechem. heard that, they entred into an hold of the house of the god of Berith Or, Baal-berith, v. 4. Hither they fled out of the Town belonging to it, fearing the same event with Shechem; and here they thought to be secure; partly by the strength of the place, as the Temples of Idols were oft-times built in the highest and strongest Places, as the Capitol at Rome, and the Temple at Ierusalem; and such this place seems to have been, because they laid their Treasure here, v. 4. Partly by the Religion of it, thinking that either their god would Protect them there, or that Abimelech would spare them there, if not out of piety to that god, yet out of thankfulness for the benefit which he received thence, v. 4..

And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together into that place.

And Abimelech gate him up to mount Zalmon A place so called from its shadiness, because there were many Trees there., he, and all the people that were with him, and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.

And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them: so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez Another Town near to Shechem; and, as it seems, within its Territory., and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men, and women All that were not slain in the taking of the Town: or they all forsook the Town, and retired to their strong hold., and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower Which was flat and plain, after their manner of Building..

And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower, to burn it with fire.

And a certain woman cast a piece of a milstone Such great stones no doubt they carried up with them, whereby they might defend themselves, or offend those who Assaulted them. Here the Justice of God is remarkable in suiting the Punishment to his Sin. He slew his Brethren upon a stone, v. 5. and he loseth his own life by a Stone. upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.

Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him Which was esteemed a matter of disgrace.: and his young man thrust him through, and he died.

And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

¶ Thus God rendred the wickedness of Abimelech which he did unto his father In rooting out, as far as he could, the name, and memory, and remainders of his Father., in slaying his seventy brethren.

And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal.