mh_parser/vol_split/7 - Judges/Chapter 9.xml

<div2 id="Jud.x" n="x" next="Jud.xi" prev="Jud.ix" progress="15.68%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="Jud.x-p0.1">J U D G E S</h2>
<h3 id="Jud.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Jud.x-p1">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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.1-Judg.9.6" parsed="|Judg|9|1|9|6" passage="Jdg 9:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>.
II. How his doom was read in a parable by Jotham, Gideon's youngest
son, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.7-Judg.9.21" parsed="|Judg|9|7|9|21" passage="Jdg 9:7-21">ver. 7-21</scripRef>. III. What
strifes there were between Abimelech and his friends the
Shechemites, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.22-Judg.9.41" parsed="|Judg|9|22|9|41" passage="Jdg 9:22-41">ver. 22-41</scripRef>.
IV. How this ended in the ruin of the Shechemites (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.42-Judg.9.49" parsed="|Judg|9|42|9|49" passage="Jdg 9:42-49">ver. 42-49</scripRef>), and of Abimelech
himself, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.50-Judg.9.57" parsed="|Judg|9|50|9|57" passage="Jdg 9:50-57">ver. 50-57</scripRef>. 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>
<scripCom id="Jud.x-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9" parsed="|Judg|9|0|0|0" passage="Jud 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Jud.x-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.1-Judg.9.6" parsed="|Judg|9|1|9|6" passage="Jud 9:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.9.1-Judg.9.6">
<h4 id="Jud.x-p1.8">The Usurpation of Abimelech. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.x-p1.9">b. c.</span> 1209.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.x-p2">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,
  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.   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.   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.   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.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p3">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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p4">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,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.2-Judg.9.3" parsed="|Judg|9|2|9|3" passage="Jdg 9:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>. 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," <scripRef id="Jud.x-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.2" parsed="|Judg|9|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.4" parsed="|Judg|9|4|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p5">II. How cruelly he got his father's sons
out of the way.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p6">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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.10.1 Bible:2Kgs.10.7" parsed="|2Kgs|10|1|0|0;|2Kgs|10|7|0|0" passage="2Ki 10:1,7">2 Kings x. 1, 7</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p7">2. Way being thus made for Abimelech's
election, the men of Shechem proceeded to choose him king,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.6" parsed="|Judg|9|6|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.22" parsed="|Judg|9|22|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.24" parsed="|Judg|9|24|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.9 Bible:2Kgs.12.20" parsed="|2Sam|5|9|0|0;|2Kgs|12|20|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:9,2Ki 12:20">2 Sam. v. 9; 2
Kings xii. 20</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.8.35" parsed="|Judg|8|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 8:35"><i>ch.</i> viii.
35</scripRef>): <i>Neither showed they kindness to the house of
Jerubbaal.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.x-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.7-Judg.9.21" parsed="|Judg|9|7|9|21" passage="Jud 9:7-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.9.7-Judg.9.21">
<h4 id="Jud.x-p7.7">Jotham's Parable. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.x-p7.8">b. c.</span> 1209.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.x-p8">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.   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.   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?
  10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, <i>and</i>
reign over us.   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?   12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou,
<i>and</i> reign over us.   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?   14 Then said all the trees unto the
bramble, Come thou, <i>and</i> reign over us.   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.   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;   17 (For my father
fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out
of the hand of Midian:   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;)   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:   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.
  21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and
dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p9">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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.5" parsed="|Judg|9|5|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>),
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
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.2" parsed="|Judg|9|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>); 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p10">I. His preface is very serious: "<i>Hearken
unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.7" parsed="|Judg|9|7|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.28.9" parsed="|Prov|28|9|0|0" passage="Pr 28:9">Prov. xxviii. 9</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p11">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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p12">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>
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.104.16" parsed="|Ps|104|16|0|0" passage="Ps 104:16">Ps. civ. 16</scripRef>) 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.9" parsed="|Judg|9|9|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), <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> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.11" parsed="|Judg|9|11|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>),
<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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p13">2. He hereby exposes the ridiculous
ambition of Abimelech, whom he compares to the bramble or thistle,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.14" parsed="|Judg|9|14|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.2" parsed="|Judg|9|2|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), 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> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.10.6" parsed="|Eccl|10|6|0|0" passage="Ec 10:6">Eccl. x. 6</scripRef>), and the <i>vilest men
exalted</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.12.8" parsed="|Ps|12|8|0|0" passage="Ps 12:8">Ps. xii. 8</scripRef>),
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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.15" parsed="|Judg|9|15|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), 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!
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.2" parsed="|Isa|32|2|0|0" passage="Isa 32:2">Isa. xxxii. 2</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p14">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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.17" parsed="|Judg|9|17|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.16" parsed="|Judg|9|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.19" parsed="|Judg|9|19|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. "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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.20" parsed="|Judg|9|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p15">Jotham, having given them this admonition,
made a shift to escape with his life, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.21" parsed="|Judg|9|21|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.x-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.22-Judg.9.49" parsed="|Judg|9|22|9|49" passage="Jud 9:22-49" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.9.22-Judg.9.49">
<h4 id="Jud.x-p15.3">Gaal's Insurrection; Gaal's
Defeat. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.x-p15.4">b. c.</span> 1206.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.x-p16">22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over
Israel,   23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech
and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously
with Abimelech:   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.
  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.   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.   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.   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?   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.   30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words
of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.   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.   32 Now therefore up by night,
thou and the people that <i>is</i> with thee, and lie in wait in
the field:   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.   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.   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.   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.   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.
  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.   39 And Gaal went
out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.   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.   41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out
Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
  42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went
out into the field; and they told Abimelech.   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.
  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.   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.   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.   47 And it was told Abimelech,
that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
  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>   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p17">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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.16.14" parsed="|Isa|16|14|0|0" passage="Isa 16:14">Isa. xvi.
14</scripRef>. 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>
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.23" parsed="|Judg|9|23|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.24" parsed="|Judg|9|24|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p18">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>
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.23" parsed="|Judg|9|23|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. 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 once 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.41" parsed="|Judg|9|41|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), his country-seat. Expecting
him to come to town, they <i>set liers in wait for him</i>
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.25" parsed="|Judg|9|25|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.26" parsed="|Judg|9|26|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.27" parsed="|Judg|9|27|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.28-Judg.9.29" parsed="|Judg|9|28|9|29" passage="Jdg 9:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28,
29</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p19">II. Abimelech turned all his force upon
them, and, in a little time, quite ruined them. Observe the steps
of their overthrow.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p20">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> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.30" parsed="|Judg|9|30|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>), and the more because
Gaal had spoken slightly of him (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.28" parsed="|Judg|9|28|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.31" parsed="|Judg|9|31|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.32-Judg.9.33" parsed="|Judg|9|32|9|33" passage="Jdg 9:32,33"><i>v.</i> 32,
33</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p21">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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.34" parsed="|Judg|9|34|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. Gaal, in the morning, went out
<i>to the gate</i> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.35" parsed="|Judg|9|35|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:35"><i>v.</i>
35</scripRef>) 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.36" parsed="|Judg|9|36|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.38" parsed="|Judg|9|38|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:38"><i>v.</i>
38</scripRef>): <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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p22">3. Abimelech routed Gaal's forces that
sallied out of the town, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.39-Judg.9.40" parsed="|Judg|9|39|9|40" passage="Jdg 9:39,40"><i>v.</i>
39, 40</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p23">4. Zebul that night expelled Gaal, and the
party he had brought with him into Shechem, out of the city
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.41" parsed="|Judg|9|41|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p24">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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.42" parsed="|Judg|9|42|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.27" parsed="|Judg|9|27|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), and then it intimates that
they were secure. And because Abimelech had retired (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.41" parsed="|Judg|9|41|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>) 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> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.44" parsed="|Judg|9|44|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:44"><i>v.</i>
44</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.12.1" parsed="|1Kgs|12|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 12:1">1 Kings xii. 1</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.6-Isa.10.7" parsed="|Isa|10|6|10|7" passage="Isa 10:6,7">Isa. x. 6, 7</scripRef>. They design to maintain their
honour, but God to maintain his.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p25">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> (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.46-Judg.9.47" parsed="|Judg|9|46|9|47" passage="Jdg 9:46,47"><i>v.</i> 46, 47</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.27.5" parsed="|Prov|27|5|0|0" passage="Pr 27:5">Ps.
xxvii. 5</scripRef>. The <i>name of the Lord is a strong tower,</i>
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.10" parsed="|Prov|18|10|0|0" passage="Pr 18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.48-Judg.9.49" parsed="|Judg|9|48|9|49" passage="Jdg 9:48,49"><i>v.</i> 48, 49</scripRef>. He ordered them all to
follow him, and do as he did: as his father had said to his men
(<scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.17" parsed="|Judg|7|17|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:17"><i>ch.</i> vii. 17</scripRef>),
<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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.9" parsed="|Phil|4|9|0|0" passage="Php 4:9">Phil. iv. 9</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p25.7" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.20" parsed="|Judg|9|20|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Jud.x-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.50-Judg.9.57" parsed="|Judg|9|50|9|57" passage="Jud 9:50-57" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Judg.9.50-Judg.9.57">
<h4 id="Jud.x-p25.9">The Death of Abimelech. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Jud.x-p25.10">b. c.</span> 1206.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Jud.x-p26">50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped
against Thebez, and took it.   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.   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.   53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a
millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.  
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.   55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was
dead, they departed every man unto his place.   56 Thus God
rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father,
in slaying his seventy brethren:   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p27">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 class="indent" id="Jud.x-p28">I. Abimelech attempted the destruction of
this city (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.50" parsed="|Judg|9|50|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:50"><i>v.</i> 50</scripRef>),
drove all the inhabitants of the town into the castle, or citadel,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.51" parsed="|Judg|9|51|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.52" parsed="|Judg|9|52|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:52"><i>v.</i>
52</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.11.20-2Sam.11.21" parsed="|2Sam|11|20|11|21" passage="2Sa 11:20,21">2 Sam. xi. 20</scripRef>, &amp;c. But God
infatuates those whom he will ruin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p29">II. In the attempt he was himself
destroyed, having his brains knocked out with a piece of a
millstone, <scripRef id="Jud.x-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.57" parsed="|Judg|9|57|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:57"><i>v.</i> 57</scripRef>.
<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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.28.4" parsed="|Acts|28|4|0|0" passage="Ac 28:4">Acts xxviii.
4</scripRef>. <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,
<scripRef id="Jud.x-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.53" parsed="|Judg|9|53|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:53"><i>v.</i> 53</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p29.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.11.21" parsed="|2Sam|11|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 11:21">2 Sam. xi. 21</scripRef>.
The ignominy we seek to avoid by sin we do but perpetuate the
remembrance of.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Jud.x-p30">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> <scripRef id="Jud.x-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.55" parsed="|Judg|9|55|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:55"><i>v.</i>
55</scripRef>. 2. God's justice was glorified (<scripRef id="Jud.x-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.56-Judg.9.57" parsed="|Judg|9|56|9|57" passage="Jdg 9:56,57"><i>v.</i> 56, 57</scripRef>): <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>
</div></div2>