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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Judges, Chapter IX].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J U D G E S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The apostasy of Israel after the death of Gideon is punished, not as
the former apostasies by a foreign invasion, or the oppressions of any
neighbouring power, but by intestine broils among themselves, which in
this chapter we have the story of; and it is hard to say whether their
sin or their misery appears most in it. It is an account of the
usurpation and tyranny of Abimelech, who was base son to Gideon; so we
must call him, and not more modishly his natural son: he was so unlike
him. We are here told,
I. How he thrust himself into the government at Shechem, his own city,
by subtlety and cruelty, particularly by the murder of all his
brethren,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
II. How his doom was read in a parable by Jotham, Gideon's youngest son,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:7-21">ver. 7-21</A>.
III. What strifes there were between Abimelech and his friends the
Shechemites,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:22-41">ver. 22-41</A>.
IV. How this ended in the ruin of the Shechemites
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:42-49">ver. 42-49</A>),
and of Abimelech himself,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:50-57">ver. 50-57</A>.
Of this meteor, this ignis fatuus of a prince, that was not a protector
but a plague to his country, we may say, as once was said of a great
tyrant, that he came in like a fox, ruled like a lion, and died like a
dog. "For the transgression of a land, such are the princes
thereof."</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Jud9_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Usurpation of Abimelech.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1209.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>
1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his
mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the
family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
&nbsp; 2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem,
Whether <I>is</I> better for you, either that all the sons of
Jerubbaal, <I>which are</I> threescore and ten persons, reign over
you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I <I>am</I> your
bone and your flesh.
&nbsp; 3 And his mother's brethren 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 <I>is</I> our brother.
&nbsp; 4 And they gave him threescore and ten <I>pieces</I> of silver out
of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and
light persons, which followed him.
&nbsp; 5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his
brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, <I>being</I> threescore and ten
persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest
son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
&nbsp; 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the
house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain
of the pillar that <I>was</I> in Shechem.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We are here told by what arts Abimelech got into authority, and made
himself great. His mother perhaps had instilled into his mind some
towering ambitious thoughts, and the name his father gave him, carrying
royalty in it, might help to blow up these sparks; and now that he has
buried his father nothing will serve his proud spirit but he will
succeed him in the government of Israel, directly contrary to his
father's will, for he had declared <I>no son of his should rule over
them.</I> He had no call from God to this honour as his father had, nor
was there any present occasion for a judge to deliver Israel as there
was when his father was advanced; but his own ambition must be
gratified, and its gratification is all he aims at. Now observe
here,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. How craftily he got his mother's relations into his interests.
Shechem was a city in the tribe of Ephraim, of great note. Joshua had
held his last assembly there. If that city would but appear for him,
and set him up, he thought it would go far in his favour. There he had
an interest in the family of which his mother was, and by them he made
an interest in the leading men of the city. It does not appear that any
of them had an eye to him as a man of merit, who had any thing to
recommend him to such a choice, but the motion came first from himself.
None would have dreamed of making such a one king, if he had not
dreamed of it himself. And see here,
1. How he wheedled them into the choice,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>.
He basely suggested that Gideon having left seventy sons, who made a
good figure and had a good interest, they were designing to keep the
power which their father had in their hands, and by a joint-influence
to reign over Israel. "Now," says he, "you had better have one king
than more, than many, than so many. Affairs of state are best managed
by a single person,"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
We have no reason to think that all or any of Gideon's sons had the
least intention to reign over Israel (they were of their father's mind,
that <I>the Lord should reign over them,</I> and they were not called
of him), yet this he insinuates to pave the way to his own pretensions.
Note, Those who design ill themselves are commonly most apt to suspect
that others design ill. As for himself, he only puts them in mind of
his relation to them (<I>verbum sapienti--A word to the wise is
sufficient): Remember that I am your bone and your flesh.</I> The plot
took wonderfully. The magistrates of Shechem were pleased to think of
their city being a royal city and the metropolis of Israel, and
therefore they <I>inclined to follow him; for they said, "He is our
brother,</I> and his advancement will be our advantage."
2. How he got money from them to bear the charges of his pretensions
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
<I>They gave him seventy pieces of silver;</I> it is not said what the
value of these pieces was; so many shekels are less, and so many
talents more, than we can well imagine; therefore it is supposed they
were each a pound weight: but they gave this money out of the house of
Baal-berith, that is, out of the public treasury, which, out of respect
to their idol, they deposited in his temple to be protected by him; or
out of the offerings that had been made to that idol, which they hoped
would prosper the better in his hands for its having been consecrated
to their god. How unfit was he to reign over Israel, because unlikely
to defend them, who, instead of restraining and punishing idolatry,
thus early made himself a pensioner to an idol! 3. What soldiers he
enlisted. He hired into his service vain and light persons, the scum
and scoundrels of the country, men of broken fortunes, giddy heads, and
profligate lives; none but such would own him, and they were fittest to
serve his purpose. Like leader like followers.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. How cruelly he got his father's sons out of the way.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. The first thing he did with the rabble he headed was to kill all his
brethren at once, publicly and in cold blood, threescore and ten men,
one only escaping, all slain upon one stone. See in this bloody
tragedy,
(1.) The power of ambition what beasts it will turn men into, how it
will break through all the ties of natural affection and natural
conscience, and sacrifice that which is most sacred, dear, and
valuable, to its designs. Strange that ever it should enter into the
heart of a man to be so very barbarous!
(2.) The peril of honour and high birth. Their being the sons of so
great a man as Gideon exposed them thus and made Abimelech jealous of
them. We find just the same number of Ahab's sons slain together at
Samaria,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+10:1,7">2 Kings x. 1, 7</A>.
The grand seigniors have seldom thought themselves safe while any of
their brethren have been unstrangled. Let none then envy those of high
extraction, or complain of their own meanness and obscurity. The lower
the safer.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. Way being thus made for Abimelech's election, the men of Shechem
proceeded to choose him king,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
God was not consulted whether they should have any king at all, much
less who it should be; here is no advising with the priest or with
their brethren of any other city or tribe, though it was designed that
he should reign over Israel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
But,
(1.) The Shechemites, as if they were the people and wisdom must die
with them, did all; they aided and abetted him in the murder of his
brethren
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>),
and then they <I>made him king.</I> The men of Shechem (that is, the
great men, the chief magistrates of the city), and the house of Millo
(that is, the common-council, the <I>full house</I> or <I>house of
fulness,</I> as the word signifies), those that met in their guildhall
(we read often of the house of Millo, or state-house in Jerusalem, or
the city of David,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+5:9,2Ki+12:20">2 Sam. v. 9; 2 Kings xii. 20</A>),
these gathered together, not to prosecute and punish Abimelech for this
barbarous murder, as they ought to have done, he being one of their
citizens, but to <I>make him king. Pretium sceleris tulit hic
diadema--His wickedness was rewarded with a diadem.</I> What could they
promise themselves from a king that laid the foundation of his kingdom
in blood?
(2.) The rest of the Israelites were so very sottish as to sit by
unconcerned. They took no care to give check to this usurpation, to
protect the sons of Gideon, or to avenge their death, but tamely
submitted to the bloody tyrant, as men who with their religion had lost
their reason, and all sense of honour and liberty, justice and
gratitude. How vigorously had their fathers appeared to avenge the
death of the Levite's concubine, and yet so wretchedly degenerate are
they now as not to attempt the avenging of the death of Gideon's sons;
it is for this that they are charged with ingratitude
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+8:35"><I>ch.</I> viii. 35</A>):
<I>Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal.</I></P>
<A NAME="Jud9_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_14"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_15"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_17"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_18"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_19"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_20"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_21"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jotham's Parable.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1209.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>7 And when they told <I>it</I> to Jotham, he went and stood in the
top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and
said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may
hearken unto you.
&nbsp; 8 The trees went forth <I>on a time</I> to anoint a king over them;
and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
&nbsp; 9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness,
wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted
over the trees?
&nbsp; 10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, <I>and</I> reign
over us.
&nbsp; 11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my
sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the
trees?
&nbsp; 12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, <I>and</I> reign
over us.
&nbsp; 13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which
cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
&nbsp; 14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, <I>and</I>
reign over us.
&nbsp; 15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint
me king over you, <I>then</I> come <I>and</I> put your trust in my shadow:
and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the
cedars of Lebanon.
&nbsp; 16 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;
&nbsp; 17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far,
and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
&nbsp; 18 And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and
have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone,
and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over
the men of Shechem, because he <I>is</I> your brother;)
&nbsp; 19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and
with his house this day, <I>then</I> rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let
him also rejoice in you:
&nbsp; 20 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.
&nbsp; 21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt
there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here the only testimony that appears to have been borne against
the wicked confederacy of Abimelech and the men of Shechem. It was a
sign they had provoked God to depart from them that neither any prophet
was sent nor any remarkable judgment, to awaken this stupid people, and
to stop the progress of this threatening mischief. Only Jotham, the
youngest son of Gideon, who by a special providence escaped the common
ruin of his family
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
dealt plainly with the Shechemites, and his speech, which is here
recorded, shows him to have been a man of such great ingenuity and
wisdom, and really such an accomplished gentleman, that we cannot but
the more lament the fall of Gideon's sons. Jotham did not go about to
raise an army out of the other cities of Israel (in which, one would
think, he might have made a good interest for his father's sake), to
avenge his brethren's death, much less to set up himself in competition
with Abimelech, so groundless was the usurper's suggestion that the
sons of Gideon aimed at dominion
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
but he contents himself with giving a faithful reproof to the
Shechemites, and fair warning of the fatal consequences. He got an
opportunity of speaking to them from the top of Mount Gerizim, the
mount of blessings, at the foot of which probably the Shechemites were,
upon some occasion or other, gathered together (Josephus says,
solemnizing a festival), and it seems they were willing to hear what he
had to say.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. His preface is very serious: "<I>Hearken unto me, you men of
Shechem, that God may hearken unto you,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
As ever you hope to obtain God's favour, and to be accepted of him,
give me a patient and impartial hearing." Note, Those who expect God to
hear their prayers must be willing to hear reason, to hear a faithful
reproof, and to hear the complaints and appeals of wronged innocency.
If we <I>turn away our ear from hearing the law, our prayer will be an
abomination,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:9">Prov. xxviii. 9</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. His parable is very ingenious--that when the trees were disposed to
choose a king the government was offered to those valuable trees the
olive, the fig-tree, and the vine, but they refused it, choosing rather
to serve than rule, to do good than bear sway. But the same tender
being made to the bramble he accepted it with vain-glorious exultation.
The way of instruction by parables is an ancient way, and very useful,
especially to give reproofs by.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. He hereby applauds the generous modesty of Gideon, and the other
judges who were before him, and perhaps of the sons of Gideon, who had
declined accepting the state and power of kings when they might have
had them, and likewise shows that it is in general the temper of all
wise and good men to decline preferment and to choose rather to be
useful than to be great.
(1.) There was no occasion at all for the trees to choose a king; they
are all the <I>trees of the Lord which he has planted</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:16">Ps. civ. 16</A>)
and which therefore he will protect. Nor was there any occasion for
Israel to talk of setting a king over them; for <I>the Lord was their
king.</I>
(2.) When they had it in their thoughts to choose a king they did not
offer the government to the stately cedar, or the lofty pine, which are
only for show and shade, and not otherwise useful till they are cut
down, but to the fruit-trees, the vine and the olive. Those that bear
fruit for the public good are justly respected and honoured by all that
are wise more than those that affect to make a figure. For a good
useful man some <I>would even dare to die.</I>
(3.) The reason which all these fruit-trees gave for their refusal was
much the same. The olive pleads
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
<I>Should I leave my wine,</I> wherewith both God and man are served
and honoured? for oil and wine were used both at God's altars and at
men's tables. And <I>shall I leave my sweetness, saith the fig-tree,
and my good fruit</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
<I>and go to be promoted over the trees?</I> or, as the margin reads
it, <I>go up and down for the trees?</I> It is intimated,
[1.] That government involves a man in a great deal both of toil and
care; he that is promoted over the trees must go up and down for them,
and make himself a perfect drudge to business.
[2.] That those who are preferred to places of public trust and power
must resolve to forego all their private interests and advantages, and
sacrifice them to the good of the community. The fig-tree must lose its
sweetness, its sweet retirement, sweet repose, and sweet conversation
and contemplation, if it go to be <I>promoted over the trees,</I> and
must undergo a constant fatigue.
[3.] That those who are advanced to honour and dignity are in great
danger of losing their fatness and fruitfulness. Preferment is apt to
make men proud and slothful, and thus spoil their usefulness, with
which in a lower sphere they honoured God and man, for which reason
those that desire to do good are afraid of being too great.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. He hereby exposes the ridiculous ambition of Abimelech, whom he
compares to the bramble or thistle,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
He supposes the trees to make their court to him: <I>Come thou and
reign over us,</I> perhaps because he knew not that the first motion of
Abimelech's preferment came from himself (as we found,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
but thought the Shechemites had proposed it to him; however, supposing
it so, his folly in accepting it deserved to be chastised. The bramble
is a worthless plant, not to be numbered among the trees, useless and
fruitless, nay, hurtful and vexatious, scratching and tearing, and
doing mischief; it began with the curse, and its end is to be burned.
Such a one was Abimelech, and yet chosen to the government <I>by the
trees, by all the trees;</I> this election seems to have been more
unanimous than any of the others. Let us not think it strange if we
see <I>folly set in great dignity</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:6">Eccl. x. 6</A>),
and the <I>vilest men exalted</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:8">Ps. xii. 8</A>),
and men blind to their own interest in the choice of their guides. The
bramble, being chosen to the government, takes no time to consider
whether he should accept it or no, but immediately, as if he had been
born and bred to dominion, hectors, and assures them they shall find
him as he found them. See what <I>great swelling words of vanity</I> he
speaks
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
what promises he makes to his faithful subjects: <I>Let them come and
trust in my shadow:</I> a goodly shadow to trust in! How unlike to
<I>the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,</I> which a good
magistrate is compared to!
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:2">Isa. xxxii. 2</A>.
Trust in his shadow!--more likely to be scratched if they came near
him--more likely to be injured by him than benefited. Thus men <I>boast
of a false gift.</I> Yet he threatens with as much confidence as he
promises: If you be not faithful, <I>let fire come out of the
bramble</I> (a very unlikely thing to emit fire) and <I>devour the
cedars of Lebanon</I>--more likely to catch fire, and be itself
devoured.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. His application is very close and plain. In it,
1. He reminds them of the many good services his father had done for
them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
He fought their battles, at the hazard of his own life, and to their
unspeakable advantage. It was a shame that they needed to be put in
mind of this.
2. He aggravates their unkindness to his father's family. They had not
<I>done to him according to the deserving of his hands,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
Great merits often meet with very ill returns. especially to
posterity, when the benefactor if forgotten, as Joseph was among the
Egyptians. Gideon had left many sons that were an honour to his name
and family, and these they had barbarously murdered; one son he had
left that was the blemish of his name and family, for he was <I>the son
of his maid-servant,</I> whom all that had any respect to Gideon's
honour would endeavour to conceal, yet him they made their king. In
both they put the utmost contempt imaginable upon Gideon. 3. He leaves
it to the event to determine whether they had done well, whereby he
lodges the appeal with the divine providence.
(1.) If they prospered long in this villany, he would give them leave
to say they had done well,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
"If your conduct towards the house of Gideon be such as can be
justified at any bar of justice, honour, or conscience, much good may
it do you with your new king." But,
(2.) If they had, as he was sure they had, dealt basely and wickedly in
this matter, let them never expect to prosper,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
Abimelech and the Shechemites, that had strengthened one another's
hands in this villany, would certainly be a plague and ruin one to
another. Let none expect to do ill and fare well.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Jotham, having given them this admonition, made a shift to escape with
his life,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
Either they could not reach him or they were so far convinced that they
would not add the guilt of his blood to all the rest. But, for fear of
Abimelech, he lived in exile, in some remote obscure place. Those whose
extraction and education are ever so high know not to what difficulties
and straits they may be reduced.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Gaal's Insurrection; Gaal's Defeat.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1206.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
&nbsp; 23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men
of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with
Abimelech:
&nbsp; 24 That the cruelty <I>done</I> 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.
&nbsp; 25 And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top
of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by
them: and it was told Abimelech.
&nbsp; 26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went
over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in
him.
&nbsp; 27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their
vineyards, and trode <I>the grapes,</I> and made merry, and went into
the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed
Abimelech.
&nbsp; 28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who <I>is</I> Abimelech, and who
<I>is</I> Shechem, that we should serve him? <I>is</I> not <I>he</I> the son of
Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the
father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
&nbsp; 29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would
I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine
army, and come out.
&nbsp; 30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal
the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
&nbsp; 31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying,
Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem;
and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
&nbsp; 32 Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that <I>is</I>
with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
&nbsp; 33 And it shall be, <I>that</I> in the morning, as soon as the sun
is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold,
<I>when</I> he and the people that <I>is</I> with him come out against
thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
&nbsp; 34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that <I>were</I> with
him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four
companies.
&nbsp; 35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering
of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people
that <I>were</I> with him, from lying in wait.
&nbsp; 36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold,
there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul
said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as <I>if they
were</I> men.
&nbsp; 37 And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by
the middle of the land, and another company come along by the
plain of Meonenim.
&nbsp; 38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where <I>is</I> now thy mouth,
wherewith thou saidst, Who <I>is</I> Abimelech, that we should serve
him? <I>is</I> not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I
pray now, and fight with them.
&nbsp; 39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with
Abimelech.
&nbsp; 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many
were overthrown <I>and</I> wounded, <I>even</I> unto the entering of the
gate.
&nbsp; 41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and
his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
&nbsp; 42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out
into the field; and they told Abimelech.
&nbsp; 43 And he took the people, and divided them into three
companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold,
the people <I>were</I> come forth out of the city; and he rose up
against them, and smote them.
&nbsp; 44 And Abimelech, and the company that <I>was</I> with him, rushed
forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and
the two <I>other</I> companies ran upon all <I>the people</I> that <I>were</I>
in the fields, and slew them.
&nbsp; 45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he
took the city, and slew the people that <I>was</I> therein, and beat
down the city, and sowed it with salt.
&nbsp; 46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard <I>that,</I>
they entered into a hold of the house of the god Berith.
&nbsp; 47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of
Shechem were gathered together.
&nbsp; 48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the
people that <I>were</I> with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his
hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid
<I>it</I> on his shoulder, and said unto the people that <I>were</I> with
him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, <I>and</I> do as I <I>have
done.</I>
&nbsp; 49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough,
and followed Abimelech, and put <I>them</I> 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.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
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
country, 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. <I>Within three
years, as the years of a hireling, all this glory shall be
contemned,</I> and laid in the dust,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+16:14">Isa. xvi. 14</A>.
The ruin of these confederates in wickedness was from the righteous
hand of the God to whom vengeance belongs. <I>He sent an evil spirit
between Abimelech and the Shechemites</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
that is, they grew jealous one of another and ill-affected one to
another. He slighted those that set him up, and perhaps countenanced
other cities which now began to come into his interests more than he
did theirs; and then they grew uneasy at his government, blamed his
conduct, and quarrelled at his impositions. This was from God. He
permitted the devil, that great mischief-maker, to sow discord between
them, and he is <I>an evil spirit,</I> whom God not only keeps under
his check, but sometimes serves his own purposes by. Their own lusts
were evil spirits; they are devils in men's own hearts; from them come
wars and fightings. These God gave them up to, and so might be said to
<I>send the evil spirits between them.</I> When men's sin is made their
punishment, though God is not the author of the sin, yet the punishment
is from him. The quarrel God had with Abimelech and the Shechemites was
for the murder of the sons of Gideon
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
<I>That the cruelty done to them might come and their blood be laid</I>
as a burden <I>upon Abimelech that slew them, and the men of Shechem
that helped him.</I> Note,
1. Sooner or later God will make inquisition for blood, innocent blood,
and will return it on the heads of those that shed it, who shall have
blood given them to drink, for they are worthy.
2. Accessaries shall be reckoned with, as well as principals, in that
and other sins. The Shechemites that countenanced Abimelech's
pretensions, aided and abetted him in his bloody project, and avowed
the fact by making him king after he had done it, must fall with him,
fall by him, and fall first. 3. Those that combine together to do
wickedly are justly dashed in pieces one against another. Blood cannot
be a lasting cement to any interest.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The Shechemites began to affront Abimelech, perhaps they scarcely
knew why or wherefore, but they were given to change.
1. They <I>dealt treacherously with him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
It is not said, They repented of their sin in owning him. Had they done
so, it would have been laudable to disown him; but they did it only
upon some particular pique conceived against him by their pride or
envy. Those that set him up were the first that deserted him and
endeavoured to dethrone him. It is not strange that those who were
ungrateful to Gideon were unfaithful to Abimelech; for what will hold
those that will not be held by the obligation of such merits as
Gideon's? Note, It is just with God that those who tempt others to be
cone perfidious should afterwards be themselves betrayed by those whom
they have taught to be perfidious.
2. They aimed to seize him when he was at Arumah
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>),
his country-seat. Expecting him to come to town, they <I>set liers in
wait for him</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
who should make him their prisoner whom they had lately made their
prince. Those who were thus posted, he not coming, took the opportunity
of robbing travellers, which would help to make the people more and
more uneasy under Abimelech, when they saw he could not or would not
protect them from highway-men. 3. They entertained one Gaal, and set
him up as their head in opposition to Abimelech,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
This Gaal is said to be the son of <I>Ebed,</I> which signifies <I>a
servant,</I> perhaps denoting the meanness of his extraction. As
Abimelech was by the mother's side, so he by the father's, the son of a
servant. Here was one bramble contesting with another. We have reason
to suspect that this Gaal was a native Canaanite, because he courts the
Shechemites into subjection to the men of Hamor, who was the ancient
lord of this city in Jacob's time. He was a bold ambitious man, served
their purpose admirably well when they were disposed to quarrel with
Abimelech, and they also served his purpose; so he went over to them to
blow the coals, and they <I>put their confidence in him.</I>
4. They did all the despite they could to Abimelech's name,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
They made themselves very merry in his absence, as those who were glad
he was out of the way, and who, now that they had another to head them,
were in hopes to get clear of him; nay, they <I>went into the house of
their god,</I> to solemnize their feast of in-gathering, and there
<I>they did eat, and drink, and cursed Abimelech,</I> not only said all
the ill they could of him in their table-talk and the song of their
drunkards, but wished all the ill they could to him over their
sacrifices, praying to their idol to destroy him. They drank healths to
his confusion, and with as loud huzzas as ever they had drunk them to
his prosperity. That very temple whence they had fetched money to set
him up with did they now meet in to curse him and contrive his ruin.
Had they deserted their idol-god with their image-king, they might have
hoped to prosper; but, while they still cleave to the former, the
latter shall cleave to them to their ruin. How should Satan cast out
Satan?
5. They pleased themselves with Gaal's vaunted defiance of Abimelech,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>.
They loved to hear that impudent upstart speak scornfully,
(1.) Of Abimelech, though calling him in disdain <I>Shechem,</I> or
<I>a Shechemite,</I> he reflected upon their own city.
(2.) Of his good father likewise, Gideon: <I>Is not he the son of
Jerubbaal?</I> So he calls him, perhaps in an impious indignation at
his name and memory for throwing down the altar of Baal, turning that
to his reproach which was his praise.
(3.) Of his prime minister of state, <I>Zebul his officer, and ruler of
the city.</I> "We may well be ashamed to serve them, and need not be
afraid to oppose them." Men of turbulent ambitious spirits thus
<I>despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.</I> Gaal aimed not to
recover Shechem's liberty, only to change their tyrant: "<I>O that this
people were under my hand!</I> What I would do! I would challenge
Abimelech to try titles for the crown;" and it should seem he desired
his friends to send him word that he was ready to dispute it with him
whenever he pleased: "<I>Increase thy army, and come out.</I> Do thy
worst; let the point be determined by the sword." This pleased the
Shechemites, who were now as sick of Abimelech as ever they had been
fond of him. Men of no conscience will be men of no constancy.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Abimelech turned all his force upon them, and, in a little time,
quite ruined them. Observe the steps of their overthrow.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. The Shechemites' counsels were betrayed to Abimelech by Zebul his
confidant, the ruler of the city, who continued hearty for him. <I>His
anger was kindled</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
and the more because Gaal had spoken slightly of him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
for perhaps, if he had complimented and caressed him now that things
were in this ferment, he might have gained him to his interest; but he,
being disobliged, sends notice to Abimelech of all that was said and
done in Shechem against him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
Betrayers are often betrayed by some among themselves, and the cursing
of the king is sometimes strangely carried by a bird of the air. He
prudently advises him to come against the city immediately, and lose no
time,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:32,33"><I>v.</I> 32, 33</A>.
He thinks it best that he should march his forces by night into the
neighbourhood, surprise the city in the morning, and then make the best
of his advantages. How could the Shechemites hope to speed in their
attempt when the ruler of their city was in the interests of their
enemy? They knew it, and yet took no care to secure him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. Gaal, that headed their faction, having been betrayed by Zebul,
Abimelech's confidant, was most wretchedly bantered by him. Abimelech,
according to Zebul's advice, drew all his forces down upon Shechem by
night,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
Gaal, in the morning, went out <I>to the gate</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>)
to see what posture things were in, and to enquire, What news? Zebul,
as a ruler of the city, met him there as a friend. Abimelech and his
forces beginning to move towards the city, Gaal discovers them
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>),
takes notice of their approach to Zebul that was standing with him,
little thinking that he had sent for them and was now expecting them.
"Look," says he, "do not I see a body of men coming down from the
mountain towards us? Yonder they are," pointing to the place. "No,
no," says Zebul; "thy eye-sight deceives thee; it is but <I>the shadow
of the mountains</I> which thou takest to be an army." By this he
intended,
(1.) To ridicule him, as a man of no sense or spirit, and therefore
very unfit for what he pretended to, as a man that might easily be
imposed upon and made to believe any thing, and that was so silly and
so cowardly that he apprehended danger where there was none, and was
ready to fight with a shadow.
(2.) To detain him, and hold him in talk, while the forces of Abimelech
were coming up, that thereby they might gain advantage. But when Gaal,
being content to believe those he now saw to be but the shadow of the
mountains (perhaps the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, which lay close
by the city), was undeceived by the discovery of two other companies
that marched apace towards the city, then Zebul took another way to
banter him, upbraiding him with what he had said but a day or two
before, in contempt of Abimelech
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
<I>Where is now thy mouth,</I> that foul mouth of thine, <I>wherewith
thou saidst, Who is Abimelech?</I> Note, Proud and haughty people are
often made in a little time to change their note, and to dread those
whom they had most despised. Gaal had, in a bravado, challenged
Abimelech to <I>increase his army and come out;</I> but now Zebul, in
Abimelech's name, challenges him: <I>Go out, and fight with them,</I>
if thou darest. Justly are the insolent thus insulted over.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. Abimelech routed Gaal's forces that sallied out of the town,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:39,40"><I>v.</I> 39, 40</A>.
Gaal, disheartened no doubt by Zebul's hectoring him, and perceiving
his interest weaker than he thought it was, though he marched out
against Abimelech with what little force he had, was soon put to the
worst, and obliged to retire into the city with great precipitation. In
this action the Shechemites' loss was considerable: <I>Many were
overthrown and wounded,</I> the common effect of popular tumults, in
which the inconsiderate multitude are often drawn into fatal snare by
those that promise them glorious success.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
4. Zebul that night expelled Gaal, and the party he had brought with
him into Shechem, out of the city
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>),
sending him to the place whence he came. For though the generality of
the city continued still averse to Abimelech, as appears by the sequel
of the story, yet they were willing to part with Gaal, and did not
oppose his expulsion, because, though he had talked big, both his skill
and courage had failed him when there was occasion for them. Most
people judge of men's fitness for business by their success, and he
that does not speed well is concluded not to do well. Well, Gaal's
interest in Shechem is soon at an end, and he that had talked of
removing Abimelech is himself removed, nor do we ever hear of him any
more. <I>Exit Gaal</I>--<I>Gaal retires.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
5. Abimelech, the next day, set upon the city, and quite destroyed it,
for their treacherous dealings with him. Perhaps Abimelech had notice
of their expelling Gaal, who had headed the faction, with which they
thought he would have been satisfied, but the crime was too keep to be
thus atoned for, and his resentments were too keen to be pacified by so
small an instance of submission, besides that it was more Zebul's act
than theirs; by it their hands were weakened, and therefore he resolved
to follow his blow, and effectually to chastise their treachery.
(1.) He had intelligence brought him that the people of Shechem had
come out <I>into the field,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
Some think into the field of business to plough and sow (having lately
gathered in their harvest), or to perfect their harvest, for it was
only their vintage that they had made an end of
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
and then it intimates that they were secure. And because Abimelech had
retired
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>)
they thought themselves in no danger from him, and then the issue of it
is an instance of sudden destruction coming upon those that cry, Peace
and safety. Others think they went out into the field of battle; though
Gaal was driven out, they would not lay down their arms, but put
themselves into a posture for another engagement with Abimelech, in
which they hoped to retrieve what they had lost the day before,
(2.) He himself, with a strong detachment, cut off the communication
between them and the city, <I>stood in the entering of the gate</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>),
that they might neither make their retreat into the city nor receive
any succours from the city, and then sent two companies of his men, who
were too strong for them, and they put them all to the sword, <I>ran
upon those that were in the fields and slew them.</I> When we go out
about our business we are not sure that we shall come home again; there
are deaths both in the city and in the field.
(3.) He then fell upon the city itself, and, with a rage reaching up to
heaven, though it was the place of his nativity, laid it in ruins, slew
all the people, beat down all the buildings, and, in token of his
desire that it might be a perpetual desolation, sowed it with salt,
that it might remain a lasting monument of the punishment of
perfidiousness. Yet Abimelech prevailed not to make its desolations
perpetual; for it was afterwards rebuilt, and became so considerable a
place that all Israel came thither to make Rehoboam king,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+12:1">1 Kings xii. 1</A>.
And the place proved an ill omen. Abimelech intended hereby to punish
the Shechemites for their serving him formerly in the murder of
Gideon's sons. Thus, when God makes use of men as instruments in his
hand to do his work, he means one thing and they another,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:6,7">Isa. x. 6, 7</A>.
They design to maintain their honour, but God to maintain his.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
6. Those that retired into a strong-hold of their idol-temple were all
destroyed there. These are called <I>the men of the tower of
Shechem</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:46,47"><I>v.</I> 46, 47</A>),
some castle that belonged to the city, but lay at some distance from
it. They, hearing of the destruction of the city, withdrew into a hold
of the temple, trusting, it is likely, not so much to its strength as
to its sanctity; they put themselves under the protection of their
idol: for thus <I>all people will walk in the name of their god,</I>
and shall not we then choose to dwell in the house of the Lord all the
days of our life? For <I>in the time of trouble he shall hide us in his
pavilion,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:5">Ps. xxvii. 5</A>.
The <I>name of the Lord is a strong tower,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</A>.
But that which they hoped would be for their welfare proved to them a
snare and a trap, as those will certainly find that run to idols for
shelter; it will prove a refuge of lies. When Abimelech had them
altogether penned up in that hold he desired no more. That barbarous
project immediately came into his head of setting fire to the
strong-hold, and, so to speak, burning all the birds together in the
nest. He kept the design to himself, but set all his men on work to
expedite the execution of it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:48,49"><I>v.</I> 48, 49</A>.
He ordered them all to follow him, and do as he did: as his father had
said to his men
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+7:17"><I>ch.</I> vii. 17</A>),
<I>Look on me, and do likewise;</I> so saith he to his, as becomes a
general that will not be wanting to give both the plainest direction
and the highest encouragement that can be to his soldiers: <I>What you
have seen me do make haste to do, as I have done.</I> Not <I>Ite
illuc--Go thither;</I> but <I>Venite huc--Come hither.</I> The officers
in Christ's army should thus teach by their example,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:9">Phil. iv. 9</A>.
He and they fetched each of them a bough from a wood not far off, laid
all their boughs together under the wall of this tower, which it is
probable was of wood, set fire to their boughs, and so burnt down their
hold and all that were in it, who were either burnt or stifled with the
smoke. What inventions men have to destroy one another! Whence come
these cruel wars and fightings but from their lusts? Some think that
the men of the tower of Shechem were the same with the house of Millo,
and then Jotham's just imprecation was answered in the letter: <I>Let
fire come out from</I> Abimelech, and devour not only in general the
men of Shechem, but in particular the house of Millo,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
About 1000 men and women perished in these flames, many of whom, it is
probable, were no way concerned in the quarrel between Abimelech and
the Shechemites, nor meddled with either side, yet, in this civil war,
they came to this miserable end; for men of factious turbulent spirits
<I>perish not alone in their iniquity,</I> but involve many more, that
follow them in their simplicity, in the same calamity with them.</P>
<A NAME="Jud9_50"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_51"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_52"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_53"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_54"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_55"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_56"> </A>
<A NAME="Jud9_57"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Death of Abimelech.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1206.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez,
and took it.
&nbsp; 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither
fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut
<I>it</I> to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
&nbsp; 52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it,
and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
&nbsp; 53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon
Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
&nbsp; 54 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. And his young man thrust him through,
and he died.
&nbsp; 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they
departed every man unto his place.
&nbsp; 56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did
unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
&nbsp; 57 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.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
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,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Abimelech attempted the destruction of this city
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>),
drove all the inhabitants of the town into the castle, or citadel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:51"><I>v.</I> 51</A>.
When he had them there he did not doubt but he should do the same
execution here that he had lately done at the strong-hold of the temple
of Baal-berith, not considering that the tower of an idol-temple lay
more exposed to divine vengeance than any other tower. He attempted to
set fire to this tower, at least to burn down the door, and so force an
entrance,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:52"><I>v.</I> 52</A>.
Those who have escaped and succeeded well in one desperate attempt are
apt to think the like attempt another time not desperate. This instance
was long after quoted to show how dangerous it is to come near the call
of a besieged city,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+11:20,21">2 Sam. xi. 20</A>,
&c. But God infatuates those whom he will ruin.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. In the attempt he was himself destroyed, having his brains knocked
out with a piece of a millstone,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:57"><I>v.</I> 57</A>.
<I>No doubt this man was a murderer, whom, though he had escaped</I>
the dangers of the war with Shechem, yet <I>vengeance suffered not to
live,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+28:4">Acts xxviii. 4</A>.
<I>Evil pursues sinners,</I> and sometimes overtakes them when they are
not only secure, but triumphant. Thebez, we may suppose, was a weak
inconsiderable place, compared with Shechem. Abimelech, having
conquered the greater, makes no doubt of being master of the less
without any difficulty, especially when he had taken the city, and had
only the tower to deal with; yet he lays his bones by that, and there
is all his honour buried. Thus are the <I>mighty things of the
world</I> often confounded by the weakest and those things that are
most made light of. See here what rebukes those are justly put under
many times by the divine providence that are unreasonable in their
demands of satisfaction for injuries received. Abimelech had some
reason to chastise the Shechemites, and he had done it with a witness;
but when he will carry his revenges further, and nothing will serve but
that Thebez also must be sacrificed to his rage, he is not only
disappointed there, but destroyed; <I>for verily there is a God that
judges in the earth.</I> Three circumstances are worthy of observation
in the death of Abimelech:--
1. That he was slain with a stone, as he had slain his brethren all
<I>upon one stone.</I>
2. That he had his skull broken. Vengeance aimed at that guilty head
which had worn the usurped crown. 3. That the stone was cast upon him
by a woman,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:53"><I>v.</I> 53</A>.
He saw the stone come; it was therefore strange he did not avoid it,
but, no doubt, this made it so much the greater mortification to him to
see from what hand it came. Sisera died by a woman's hand and knew it
not; but Abimelech not only fell by the hand of a woman but knew it,
and, when he found himself ready to breathe his last, nothing troubled
him so much as this, that it should be said, A woman slew him. See,
(1.) His foolish pride, in laying so much to heart this little
circumstance of his disgrace. Here was no care taken about his precious
soul, no concern what would become of that, no prayer to God for his
mercy; but very solicitous he is to patch up his shattered credit, when
there is no patching his shattered skull. "O let it never be said that
such a mighty man as Abimelech was killed by a woman!" The man was
dying, but his pride was alive and strong, and the same vain-glorious
humour that had governed him all along appears now at last. <I>Qualis
vita, finis ita--As was his life, such was his death.</I> As God
punished his cruelty by the manner of his death, so he punished his
pride by the instrument of it.
(2.) His foolish project to avoid this disgrace; nothing could be more
ridiculous; his own servant must run him through, not to rid him the
sooner out of his pain, but <I>that men say not, A woman slew him.</I>
Could he think that this would conceal what the woman had done, and not
rather proclaim it the more? Nay, it added to the infamy of his death,
for hereby he became a self-murderer. Better have it said, <I>A woman
slew him,</I> than that it should be said, His servant slew him by his
own order; yet now both will be said of him to his everlasting
reproach. And it is observable that this very thing which Abimelech was
in such care to conceal appears to have been more particularly
remembered by posterity than most passages of his history; for Joab
speaks of it as that which he expected David would reproach him with,
for coming so <I>nigh the wall,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+11:21">2 Sam. xi. 21</A>.
The ignominy we seek to avoid by sin we do but perpetuate the
remembrance of.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. The issue of all is that Abimelech being slain,
1. Israel's peace was restored, and an end was put to this civil war;
for those that followed him <I>departed every man to his place,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:55"><I>v.</I> 55</A>.
2. God's justice was glorified
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:56,57"><I>v.</I> 56, 57</A>):
<I>Thus God</I> punished <I>the wickedness of Abimelech, and of the men
of Shechem,</I> and fulfilled Jotham's curse, for it was not a <I>curse
causeless.</I> Thus he preserved the honour of his government, and gave
warning to all ages to expect blood for blood. <I>The Lord is known by
the judgments which he executes,</I> when <I>the wicked is snared in
the work of his own hands.</I> Though wickedness may prosper awhile, it
will not prosper always.</P>
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