THE BOOK OF
JUDGES

Judges 9

1Abimelech conspireth with the Shechemites, murdereth his brethren, and is made king. 7Jotham's parable of the trees, whereby he reproacheth the men of Shechem with ingratitude, and foretelleth their ruin. 22The Shechemites conspire with Gaal against Abimelech. 30Zebul sendeth Abimelech notice thereof; 34who overcometh them, and soweth their city with salt. 46The Shechemites retire to an hold of the god Berith, and are burned therein. 50Abimelech is slain at Thebez by a woman with a piece of millstone. 56Jotham's curse is fulfilled.


1AND Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to 1Shechem unto his mother’s 2brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,

1 See Judges 8 on verse 31.

2 That is, kinsmen and friends. Also verses 3, 18.

2Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the 3men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that 4one reign over you? remember also that I am your 5bone and your flesh.

3 Hebr. lords, masters, men, citizens. See of the Hebrew word baal, Gen. 14 on verse 13.

4 Intimating, that without a doubt this is the best; understanding by this one man, himself.

5 Sprung from mother’s side at Shechem, and near in blood unto many of you. See of this phrase Gen. 2 on verse 23; Gen. 29 on verse 14.

3And 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 6Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.

6 Hebr. after, that is, to follow after him.

4And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of 7silver out of the 8house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired 9vain and light persons, 10which followed him.

7 See Gen. 20 on verse 16.

8 That is, out of the idolatrous temple of this idol, which stood upon a high hill by Shechem, as the map shows. See also of this idol Judges 8 on verse 33.

9 That is, a company of bare, needy, vain fellows, that had no fear of God before their eyes. Compare 2 Chron. 13:7.

10 Hebr. and they went after him.

5And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being 11threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

11 There were but sixty-nine slain (for Joash escaped) but the Holy Scripture, according to custom, names the full and perfect number. See Gen. 42:13; Num. 14:33; 1 Chron. 15:5.

6And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the 12house of Millo, and went, and 13made Abimelech king, bya the plain of the 14pillar that was in Shechem.

12 Hebr. Beth-millo, a city situated as the map shows eastward from Shechem, at the mountain of Ephraim, not far from Beth-aven. Others understand hereby, the strong hold, mentioned in verses 46, 49, which was the court or city-hall, where the council were wont to meet, being guarded with a garrison of soldiers, which also was used in this transaction or dealing. The word Millo comes from filling, fullness, fulfilling; whereby some take it for a deep pit or valley, which being filled up with earth and rubbish, served for the building of a strong hold, which from thence was called Millo. Some perceive that the generation or family of Abimelech’s grandfather by the mother’s side, was from hence also called. The word Millo is also found 2 Sam. 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15; 11:27; 2 Kings 12:20; 1 Chron. 11:8; 2 Chron. 32:5.

13 Hebr. as if we would say: they kinged him king.

a Joshua 24:26.

14 Or, oak. See Joshua 24:26, 27. This place they purposely made choice of, to clothe their work with a show of holiness, which notwithstanding they had begun with abominable tyranny and without calling thereunto the other tribes or asking counsel of God, had finished. Other, by the high oak.

7¶And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the 15top of mount 16Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and 17cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

15 Hebr. the head.

16 Which was situated by Shechem, and right over against it was mount Ebal, whereof may be seen, Deut. 11:29, 30; Joshua 8:33.

17 As it seems, by the inspiration of God, Who confirmed Jotham’s words, verses 24, 57.

818The trees 19went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

18 See a similar rhetorical speech or parable, serving for instruction, 2 Kings 14:9.

19 Hebr. going they went.

9But the olive tree said unto them, Should I 20leave my 21fatness, wherewith by me they honour 22God and man, and go to be 23promoted over the trees?

20 Or, shall I cause to cease or be compelled to cease, and so in the sequel.

21 That is, the oil.

22 For the oil was used in the sacrifices and lamps of the tabernacle, as also in the anointing of priests, kings, and (as it is gathered from 1 Kings 19:16) prophets, and usually for meat, ornament, and to adorn man’s body. Others, wherewith by me they honor God and man.

23 That is, as king to go run about, to turmoil and take care for other trees.

10And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

11But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

12Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.

13And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth 24God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

24 Because wine was used in sacrifices, and rejoices the heart of man, Psalm 104:15. Other, who rejoice gods, (that is, great lords) and men, (that is, common people).

14Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

15And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of 25Lebanon.

25 This mountain was very famous for fair, glorious cedar trees, being exceeding strong and durable, which grew in great abundance upon it, whereof several parables and similitudes are taken in Scripture. See 2 Kings 14:9; 2 Chron. 2:8; Psalm 29:5; 92:12; Cant. 3:9; 5:15; Isa. 60:13; Jer. 22:23; Ezek. 17:3; 31:3; Hosea 14:6, 7, 8.

1626Now 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 27deserving of his hands;

26 Here Jotham expounds the propounded parable.

27 Or, benefit.

17(For my father fought for you, and 28adventured 29his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

28 Hebr. from over against you or from near at hand; as when a man casts a thing out of his sight far from him, as not willing to look upon it to provide for it, or to mind it. Compare Deut. 28:66; Judges 12:3.

29 That is, spared not his life and person, but risked or put the same in great danger for your sake.

18And ye are risen up against my father’s house 30this day, and 31have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his 32maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

30 That is, at this time.

31 He upbraids the Shechemites with this murder, because they had assisted Abimelech in it. See verse 24.

32 Thus he calls in a disdainful manner his father’s concubine, to whet upon the Shechemites the injustice of their act.

19If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

20But 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.

21And Jotham ran away, and 33fled, and went to 34Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

33 It seems that by this connection of words, which signify one and the same thing, is intimated the celerity or swiftness in his flight, that he might not be overtaken by his brother.

34 Where this place is situated is uncertain. Some do guess that it was in the tribe of Simeon, on the uttermost borders of Canaan, where are some places that bear the name of Beer, but with some addition.

22¶When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,

23Then God sent an 35evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

35 This may be understood of an evil angel or Satan, as 1 Sam. 18:10; 19:9. Or, of a great disagreement, disaffection, dissension, which Satan, by the just judgment of God, stirred up between them. Compare 1 Sam. 16:14; 2 Sam. 16 on verse 10; 2 Sam. 24 on verse 1.

24That the 36cruelty 37done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be 38laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which 39aided him in the killing of his brethren.

36 That is, punishment of the violence.

37 Hebr. the violence or the cruelty of the seventy sons, that is, done to them; thus often.

38 Namely, on the head of Abimelech and of the Shechemites. These phrases usually signify in Holy Scripture the revenge that shall be taken of violence, murder, or bloodshed. Compare 1 Sam. 25:39; 2 Sam. 1:16; 1 Kings 2:31, 32, 33; Esther 9:25; Psalm 7:16; Jer. 51:35; Mat. 23:34, 35; 27:25; Acts 5:28; 18:6, etc. See also below verses 56, 57.

39 Who had strengthened and assisted Abimelech in his wicked design. Compare Judges 7:11.

25And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the 40top of the mountains, and they robbed 41all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

40 Hebr. heads.

41 Being attached to Abimelech. Shechem was positioned upon the pass, from and toward Jerusalem; and the mountains Gerizim, Ebal, of Baal-Berith, Zalmon, etc., were close by it. See verses 7, 46, 48.

26And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and 42went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in 43him.

42 Leaving their former dwelling-place.

43 Namely, Gaal, whom they made use as their head and captain-general against Abimelech.

27And they went out into the 44fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made 45merry, and went into the house 46of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

44 Unto a sign of confidence, and the vilifying of Abimelech.

45 Other, made good cheer, as they usually did in the vintage-time.

46 Into the idolatrous temple of Baal-berith. See verse 4.

28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, 47Who is Abimelech, and 48who is Shechem, that we should serve 49him? is not he the 50son of Jerubbaal? and 51Zebul his officer? serve the men of 52Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?

47 See the like upbraiding phrase, 1 Sam. 25:10.

48 As if they would say: Shechem is to be accounted more excellent and honorable than such as that the lords and citizens thereof should be servants to this Abimelech: Other, Who is Shechem?, perceiving it here to be the name of Hamor’s son, Genesis 34, whom the sons of Jacob would not serve, but slew him; or, some of his posterity bearing that name, to whom Abimelech, as being a tyrant and of low descent, is not to be compared.

49 Abimelech.

50 That is, of Gideon, who was an utter enemy of our god Baal, and as a common man lived in no place of government or authority.

51 Who, by Abimelech, was made governor of Shechem, verse 30, and was here present at this time, or at least in the city, verse 36.

52 That is, who are descended from or were of the posterity of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Or, those who govern not tyrannically (as Abimelech) but fatherly, as Hamor formerly did, who was esteemed as a father of this city. Some take it thus: If you must need serve, would to God you might serve Hamor and his posterity; but our ancestors would not do that, why then should we now serve this Abimelech.

2953And would to God this people were under 54my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said 55to Abimelech, 56Increase thine army, and come out.

53 Hebr. Who shall give that, etc. See of this manner of wishing, Deut. 5 on verse 29.

54 That is, in my power, under my command; I would make a quick riddance of Abimelech.

55 To him being absent, as if he had been present, (as boasters and braggers were wont to do) scornfully disdaining.

56 Strengthen your people as much as you will or can, and come out, and meet me in the field.

30¶And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

31And he sent messengers unto Abimelech 57privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, 58they fortify the city against thee.

57 That is, secretly, letting it not be known that he sent. Hebr. with trick, deceit, or falsehood. Some take the Hebrew word thorma, for a city, which they perceive to be the same, which in verse 41 is called Arumah.

58 Or, they compel, strengthen, arm, fortify this city against you. Other, they will besiege you, with the city, namely, Arumah, wherein you are.

32Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

33And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when 59he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find 60occasion.

59 Gaal.

60 As the opportunity shall offer itself, according as the thing shall require, and you shall find means. See a similar signification of this phrase or manner of speaking, Lev. 25 on verse 28; 1 Sam. 10:7; 25:8; Eccl. 9:10.

34¶And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four 61companies.

61 Hebr. heads; also verses 43, 44; Judges 7:16.

35And 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 were with him, from lying in wait.

36And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the 62top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

62 Hebr. heads.

37And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the 63middle of the land, and another company come along by 64the plain of Meonenim.

63 Hebr. the navel; a similitude taken from the position of the navel in a person’s body. Other, from the top of the land.

64 Or, the even plain of stargazers, soothsayers, jugglers.

38Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy 65mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

65 That is, your boasting and bragging.

39And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

40And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

41And Abimelech dwelt at 66Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

66 A city situated southward of Shechem, not far off from the meeting of the ways that lead from Jerusalem and Shiloh to Shechem, in the mid-way between Shiloh and Shechem.

42And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

43And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

44And Abimelech, and the 67company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

67 That is, one heap of the heaps or troops. See Judges 12 on verse 7.

45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with 68salt.

68 Intending now to triumph fully and absolutely, and not imagining what he himself had deserved, he does this out of pride, unto a sign, that Shechem would remain forever barren, desolate, and uninhabited, or, for an everlasting memorial of an exemplary punishment of this rebellion. Compare Num. 18:19; Deut. 29:23; 2 Chron. 13:5; Zeph. 2:9, but it appears that Shechem was afterward built and inhabited, 1 Kings 12:1, 25.

46¶And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god 69Berith.

69 Called in verse 4 Baal-berith. Some think that this Bethel-berith was yet another temple of Baal, situated upon a hill close by Shechem westward, as Baal-berith’s temple was positioned by Shechem eastward upon a high mountain. Thus were they on both sides provided with temples of Baal, and thought themselves very safe and secure in them, but (as it appears) all in vain.

47And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

48And Abimelech gat him up to mount 70Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took 71an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, 72What ye have seen me do, make haste, 73and do as I have done.

70 Which was situated on the westside of Shechem. See also of this mountain, Psalm 68:14.

71 Hebr. axes.

72 Other, I have done what ye have seen.

73 Or, do as I.

49And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

50¶Then went 74Abimelech to 75Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

74 Imagining by himself that these victories would continually follow him.

75 A city situated north of Shechem, between the mountains of Samaria and Gilboa.

51But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

52And Abimelech came unto the tower, and 76fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

76 Or, stormed the same.

53And a certain womanb cast a piece of a 77millstone upon Abimelech's head, and allc to brake his skull.

b 2 Sam. 11:21.

77 Properly the uttermost stone of the mill, which is turned about upon the nethermost stone.

c utterly

54Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, 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.

55And when the 78men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

78 Who were on the side of Abimelech.

56¶Thus God 79rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying 80his seventy brethren:

79 Namely, upon Abimelech’s head, that is, rewarded, recompensed him. See verse 24.

80 His own brethren and his father’s legitimate sons, verse 5, whereas he was but the son of a concubine, Judges 8:30, 31.

57And all the evil of the 81men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came 82the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

81 Who had aided Abimelech in his tyrannical design, verse 24.

82 See verse 20.