Introduction
Overview
Judges 9 . 1 , Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites , and murder of his brethren , is made king; Judges 9 . 7 , Jotham by a parable rebukes them , and foretells their ruin; Judges 9 . 22 , Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him; Judges 9 . 30 , Zebul reveals it; Judges 9 . 34 , Abimelech overcomes them , and sows the city with salt; Judges 9 . 46 , He burns the hold of the god Berith; Judges 9 . 50 , At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone; Judges 9 . 56 , Jotham’s curse if fulfilled.
Abimelech . Judges 8 . 31
Shechem . Genesis 33 . 18 , Genesis 34 . 2 , 1 Kings 12 . 1
communed . 2 Samuel 15 . 6 , 1 Kings 12 . 3 , 1 Kings 12 . 20 , Psalm 83 . 2-4 , Jeremiah 18 . 18
Reciprocal . Genesis 12 . 6 . Sichem Joshua 17 . 7 . Shechem Joshua 21 . 21 . Shechem Joshua 24 . 1 . Shechem 2 Samuel 15 . 4 . Oh that I 1 Kings 12 . 25 . Shechem 2 Chronicles 10 . 1 . Shechem Jeremiah 41 . 5 . Shechem Daniel 11 . 21 . by flatteries
Whether . etc. Heb. What is good
whether . etc
threescore . Judges 8 . 30
your bone . Genesis 29 . 14 , 2 Samuel 19 . 13 , 1 Chronicles 11 . 1 , Ephesians 5 . 30 , Hebrews 2 . 14
Reciprocal . Genesis 2 . 23 . bone Deuteronomy 33 . 5 . king 2 Samuel 5 . 1 . we 2 Samuel 19 . 12 . my bones 1 Kings 1 . 5 . I will Isaiah 58 . 7 . thine own
spake . Psalm 10 . 3 , Proverbs 1 . 11-14
to follow . Heb. after
our brother . Genesis 29 . 15
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 15 . 13 . The hearts
house . Judges 9 . 46-49 , Judges 8 . 33
vain . etc. Anashim raikim oophochozim , "worthless and dissolute men;" persons who were living on the public , and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such unprincipled men most revolutions are brought about. Judges 11 . 3 , 1 Samuel 22 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 13 . 7 , Job 30 . 8 , Proverbs 12 . 11 , Acts 17 . 5
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 27 . the house 2 Samuel 6 . 20 . vain fellows Proverbs 28 . 19 . but Daniel 11 . 24 . he shall scatter 2 Corinthians 1 . 17 . lightness
at Ophrah . Judges 6 . 24
slew . 2 Kings 10 . 17 , 2 Kings 11 . 1 , 2 Kings 11 . 2 , 2 Chronicles 21 . 4 , Matthew 2 . 16 , Matthew 2 . 20
Reciprocal . Judges 8 . 30 . threescore Judges 8 . 35 . showed Judges 9 . 18 . are risen 1 Kings 1 . 12 . the life 1 Kings 11 . 3 . seven hundred 2 Kings 10 . 7 . slew seventy 1 Chronicles 5 . 17 . Jotham 2 Chronicles 13 . 21 . begat Ecclesiastes 10 . 8 . that
the house . 2 Samuel 5 . 9 , 2 Kings 12 . 20
Millo . Probably the name of a person of note in Shechem.
plain . or , oak , Joshua 24 . 26 , 1 Kings 12 . 1 , 1 Kings 12 . 20 , 1 Kings 12 . 25
Reciprocal . Genesis 35 . 4 . the oak Judges 9 . 18 . are risen 1 Kings 9 . 15 . Millo 1 Chronicles 11 . 8 . Millo 2 Chronicles 32 . 5 . Millo John 4 . 20 . fathers
mount Gerizim . Deuteronomy 11 . 29 , Deuteronomy 27 . 12 , Joshua 8 . 33 , John 4 . 20
Hearken . Psalm 18 . 40 , Psalm 18 . 41 , Psalm 50 . 15-21 , Proverbs 1 . 28 , Proverbs 1 . 29 , Proverbs 21 . 13 , Proverbs 28 . 9 , Isaiah 1 . 15 , Isaiah 58 . 6-10 , Matthew 18 . 26-34 , James 2 . 13
Reciprocal . Genesis 4 . 23 . hear Genesis 37 . 6 . Hear 1 Samuel 26 . 13 . the top 2 Samuel 12 . 1 . There were 1 Kings 20 . 39 . Thy servant 2 Chronicles 13 . 4 . Hear me 2 Chronicles 15 . 2 . Hear ye me Job 13 . 6 . General Job 21 . 2 . Hear Proverbs 26 . 1 . so Isaiah 32 . 9 . give ear Isaiah 40 . 9 . get James 2 . 5 . Hearken
The trees . This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is extremely beautiful , apposite , and intelligible. 2 Kings 14 . 9 , Ezekiel 17 . 3-10 , Daniel 4 . 10-18
olive tree . The zayith , or olive tree , in the Linnean system , is a genus of the diandra monogynia class of plants. It is of a moderate height , and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is knotty; bark smooth , of an ash colour . wood solid and yellowish; leaves oblong , almost like those of the willow , of a dark green colour on the upper side , and whitish below. In June it puts forth white flowers , growing in bunches , each of one piece , widening towards the top , and dividing into four parts. After this succeeds the fruit , which is oblong and plump; first green , then pale , and when quite ripe , black. Within it is enclosed a hard stone , filled with oblong seeds. It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the bramble was the meanest and most worthless.
Reign . Judges 8 . 22 , Judges 8 . 23
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 14 . 5 . I am indeed 2 Chronicles 25 . 18 . thistle Ezekiel 17 . 2 . General Ezekiel 31 . 9 . all the trees Matthew 13 . 3 . in Romans 11 . 17 . and with 1 Corinthians 12 . 15 . General
wherewith . Exodus 29 . 2 , Exodus 29 . 7 , Exodus 35 . 14 , Leviticus 2 . 1 , 1 Kings 19 . 15 , 1 Kings 19 . 16 , Psalm 89 . 20 , Psalm 104 . 15 , Acts 4 . 27 , Acts 10 . 38 , 1 John 2 . 20
God . Elohim , rather gods; the parable being adapted to the idolatrous Shechemites.
to be promoted over the trees . Heb. up and down for other trees , Job 1 . 7 , Job 2 . 2
Reciprocal . Exodus 27 . 20 . pure oil olive beaten Numbers 15 . 4 . the fourth Proverbs 27 . 9 . Ointment Zechariah 4 . 3 . General Romans 11 . 17 . and with
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 2 . 30 . them
cheereth . Numbers 15 . 5 , Numbers 15 . 7 , Numbers 15 . 10 , Psalm 104 . 15 , Proverbs 31 . 6 , Ecclesiastes 10 . 19
Reciprocal . Luke 22 . 18 . the fruit
bramble . or , thistle , 2 Kings 14 . 9
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 18 . Abimelech Ecclesiastes 10 . 6 . Folly
shadow . Isaiah 30 . 2 , Daniel 4 . 12 , Hosea 14 . 7 , Matthew 13 . 32
let fire . Judges 9 . 20 , Judges 9 . 49 , Numbers 21 . 28 , Isaiah 1 . 31 , Ezekiel 19 . 14
the cedars . 2 Kings 14 . 9 , Psalm 104 . 16 , Isaiah 2 . 13 , Isaiah 37 . 24 , Ezekiel 31 . 3
Reciprocal . Genesis 19 . 8 . therefore Judges 9 . 23 . God Judges 9 . 44 . rushed forward Judges 9 . 53 . woman Psalm 91 . 1 . under Ecclesiastes 7 . 12 . a defence Song of Solomon 2 . 3 . I sat Isaiah 16 . 3 . make Ezekiel 28 . 18 . therefore
according . Judges 8 . 35
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 23 . dealt Isaiah 8 . 6 . rejoice
fought . Judges 7 . 1-25 , Judges 8 . 4-10
adventured his life . Heb. cast his life , Esther 4 . 16 , Romans 5 . 8 , Romans 16 . 4 , Revelation 12 . 11
Reciprocal . Judges 12 . 3 . put 1 Samuel 19 . 5 . put his life 1 Chronicles 11 . 19 . in jeopardy
are risen . Judges 9 . 5 , Judges 9 . 6 , Judges 8 . 35 , Psalm 109 . 4
Abimelech . Judges 9 . 6 , Judges 9 . 14 , Judges 8 . 31
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 12 . 12 . Nay Psalm 12 . 8 . when
rejoice . Isaiah 8 . 6 , Philippians 3 . 3 , James 4 . 16
Reciprocal . Exodus 21 . 8 . seeing Leviticus 5 . 4 . to do evil Ecclesiastes 4 . 16 . they also Song of Solomon 2 . 3 . I sat Amos 1 . 4 . I will Amos 6 . 13 . which
let fire come out . Judges 9 . 15 , Judges 9 . 23 , Judges 9 . 56 , Judges 9 . 57 , Judges 7 . 22 , 2 Chronicles 20 . 22 , 2 Chronicles 20 . 23 , Psalm 21 . 9 , Psalm 21 . 10 , Psalm 28 . 4 , Psalm 52 . 1-5 , Psalm 120 . 3 , Psalm 120 . 4 , Psalm 140 . 10
Reciprocal . Numbers 21 . 28 . a fire Judges 9 . 44 . rushed forward Judges 9 . 45 . he took Judges 9 . 49 . put them Judges 9 . 53 . woman 2 Samuel 5 . 9 . Millo 1 Kings 9 . 15 . Millo 2 Kings 2 . 24 . cursed them 1 Chronicles 11 . 8 . Millo Psalm 57 . 4 . set Proverbs 26 . 1 . so Ecclesiastes 4 . 16 . they also Song of Solomon 2 . 3 . I sat Jeremiah 51 . 35 . The violence Ezekiel 28 . 18 . therefore Amos 1 . 4 . I will Amos 6 . 13 . which
Beer . Probably the Beer mentioned by Mr. Maundrell , three hours and a half , or about ten miles , north of Jerusalem , towards Shechem. It is situated toward the south , on an easy declivity; and has a fountain of excellent water at the bottom of the hill , from which it has taken its name. Close to the well are the mouldering walls of a ruined khan; and on the summit of the hill two large arches still remain of a ruined convent. Dr. Richardson says , that it seems to have been once a place of considerable consequence. Numbers 21 . 16 , Joshua 19 . 8 , 2 Samuel 20 . 14
Reciprocal . Judges 11 . 26 . three hundred
am 2771 , bc 1233
God . That is , God permitted the evil spirit of jealousy , treachery , and discord , to break out between Abimelech and the Shechemites. Judges 9 . 15 , Judges 9 . 20 , 1 Samuel 16 . 14-16 , 1 Samuel 18 . 9 , 1 Samuel 18 . 10 , 1 Kings 12 . 15 , 1 Kings 22 . 22 , 1 Kings 22 . 23 , 2 Chronicles 10 . 15 , 2 Chronicles 18 . 19-22, Isaiah 19 . 2 , Isaiah 19 . 14 , 2 Thessalonians 2 . 11 , 2 Thessalonians 2 . 12
An . Ex , Is , 258
dealt . Judges 9 . 16 , Isaiah 33 . 1 , Matthew 7 . 2
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 19 . 43 . the words 2 Chronicles 18 . 21 . Thou shalt Mark 3 . 24 . General
That the . 1 Samuel 15 . 33 , 1 Kings 2 . 32 , Esther 9 . 25 , Psalm 7 . 16 , Matthew 23 . 34-36
aided him in the killing of . Heb. strengthened his hands to kill , Sooner or later , God will make inquisition for blood , and will return it on the heads of those that shed it. Accessories will be reckoned with , as well as principals , in that and other sins. The Shechemites , who 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. Those that combine together to do wickedly , are justly dashed in pieces one against another. Blood cannot be a lasting cement to any interest.
Reciprocal . Leviticus 20 . 9 . his blood Judges 9 . 56 . God rendered 2 Samuel 1 . 16 . Thy blood 2 Samuel 3 . 29 . rest 2 Samuel 16 . 8 . returned Jeremiah 51 . 35 . The violence
Joshua 8 . 4 , Joshua 8 . 12 , Joshua 8 . 13 , Proverbs 1 . 11 , Proverbs 1 . 12
brethren . Genesis 13 . 8 , Genesis 19 . 7
merry . or , songs , Isaiah 16 . 9 , Isaiah 16 . 10 , Isaiah 24 . 7-9 , Jeremiah 25 . 30 , Amos 6 . 3-6
the house . Judges 9 . 4 , Judges 16 . 23 , Exodus 32 . 6 , Exodus 32 . 19 , Daniel 5 . 1-4 , Daniel 5 . 23
did eat . Isaiah 22 . 12-14 , Luke 12 . 19 , Luke 12 . 20 , Luke 17 . 26-29
cursed . Leviticus 24 . 11 , 1 Samuel 17 . 43 , Psalm 109 . 17
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 46 . an hold Judges 16 . 25 . their hearts Judges 19 . 6 . let thine heart Psalm 4 . 7 . the time Psalm 10 . 5 . he puffeth Proverbs 11 . 12 . that Hosea 2 . 8 . her corn Hosea 3 . 1 . love flagons Hosea 7 . 14 . assemble Amos 2 . 8 . they drink Amos 6 . 13 . which 1 Corinthians 8 . 10 . sit James 3 . 9 . therewith curse
Who is Abimelech . 1 Samuel 25 . 10 , 2 Samuel 20 . 1 , 1 Kings 12 . 16
Hamor . Genesis 34 . 2 , Genesis 34 . 6
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 38 . General Judges 9 . 41 . Zebul Psalm 78 . 9 . turned
would to God . The very words and conduct of a sly , hypocritical demagogue. 2 Samuel 15 . 4 , 1 Kings 20 . 11 , Psalm 10 . 3 , Romans 1 . 30 , Romans 1 . 31
And he said . Rather , "and I would say to Abimelech ," as the LXX renders; for as Dr. Wall observes , this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast , in his absence , when he boasted he would challenge him.
Increase thine army . 2 Samuel 2 . 14-17, 2 Kings 14 . 8 , 2 Kings 18 . 23 , Isaiah 36 . 8 , Isaiah 36 . 9
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 38 . General 1 Samuel 21 . 3 . under thine Proverbs 20 . 18 . and
kindled . or , hot , Judges 9 . 30
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 41 . Zebul
privily . Heb. craftily , or , to Tormah
they fortify . Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers , they were actually putting the place in a state of defence , intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them. Judges 9 . 31
by night . Job 24 . 14-17 , Psalm 36 . 4 , Proverbs 1 . 11-16 , Proverbs 4 . 16 , Romans 3 . 15
Reciprocal . Nehemiah 2 . 12 . I arose
as thou shalt find . Heb. as thine hand shall find , Leviticus 25 . 26 , *marg. 1 Samuel 10 . 7 , 1 Samuel 25 . 8 , Ecclesiastes 9 . 10
Reciprocal . Matthew 26 . 40 . What
Reciprocal . 2 Kings 5 . 2 . by companies
Gaal . Of this person we know no more than is here recorded. He was probably one of the descendants of the Canaanites , who hoped , from the state of the public mind and their disaffection to Abimelech , to cause a revolution , and thus to restore the ancient government as it was under Hamor , the father of Shechem. Josephus says he was a man of authority , who sojourned with them , with his armed men and kinsmen; and that the Shechemites desired that he would allow them a guard during the vintage.
the people . Judges 9 . 44
seest the shadow . Doubdan states , that in some parts of the Holy Land there are many detached rocks scattered up and down , some growing out of the ground , and others fragments broken off from rocky precipices , the shadow of which , it appears , Josephus thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of men at a distance , rather than that of the mountains; for he represents Zebul as saying to Gaal , that he mistook the shadow of the rocks for men. Ezekiel 7 . 7 , Mark 8 . 24
middle . Heb. navel
Meonenim . or , the regarders of the times , Deuteronomy 18 . 14
Reciprocal . Ezekiel 38 . 12 . midst
Judges 9 . 28 , Judges 9 . 29 , 2 Samuel 2 . 26 , 2 Samuel 2 . 27 , 2 Kings 14 . 8-14 , Jeremiah 2 . 28
Reciprocal . Psalm 10 . 5 . he puffeth Psalm 78 . 9 . turned Proverbs 11 . 12 . that Isaiah 19 . 12 . where are thy Ezekiel 13 . 12 . Where
he fled before . 1 Kings 20 . 18-21 , 1 Kings 20 . 30
Arumah . This place appears from the next #### Verse to have been near Shechem; and is perhaps the same as Ruma , a village of Galilee , mentioned by Josephus , Bell. 1. iii. c. 7.
Zebul . Judges 9 . 28 , Judges 9 . 30
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 11 . 11 . in three 2 Samuel 18 . 2 . a third part
rushed forward . Judges 9 . 15 , Judges 9 . 20 , Galatians 5 . 15
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 35 . the people
he took . Judges 9 . 20
beat . Deuteronomy 29 . 23 , 1 Kings 12 . 25 , 2 Kings 3 . 25 , Psalm 107 . 34 , *marg. Ezekiel 47 . 11 , Zephaniah 2 . 9 , James 2 . 13
sowed . Salt in small quantities renders land extremely fertile; but too much of it destroys vegetation. Every place , says Pliny , in which salt is found is barren , and produces nothing. Hence the sowing of a place with salt was a custom in different nations to express permanent desolation. Sigonius observes , that when Milan was taken , ad 1162 , the walls were razed , and it was sown with salt. And Brantome informs us , that it was an ancient custom in France , to sow the house of a man with salt , who had been declared a traitor to his king. Charles IX. , king of France , the most base and perfidious of human beings , caused the house of Admiral Coligni . whom he and the Duke of Guise caused to be murdered , with thousands more of Protestants , on the eve of St. Bartholomew , 1572 to be sown with salt!
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 56 . God rendered Judges 9 . 57 . upon them 1 Kings 16 . 17 . besieged Tirzah 2 Kings 2 . 20 . salt therein Jeremiah 17 . 6 . a salt
an hold . Judges 9 . 4 , Judges 9 . 27 , Judges 8 . 33 , 1 Kings 8 . 26 , 2 Kings 1 . 2-4 , Psalm 115 . 8 , Isaiah 28 . 15-18 , Isaiah 37 . 38
Reciprocal . Joshua 10 . 18 . General 2 Kings 9 . 13 . on the top
Zalmon . Psalm 68 . 14
What ye . Judges 7 . 17 , Judges 7 . 18 , Proverbs 1 . 11 , Proverbs 1 . 12
me do . Heb. I have done
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 52 . General Nehemiah 4 . 23 . So neither I Nehemiah 8 . 15 . the mount
put them . Judges 9 . 15 , Judges 9 . 20 , Galatians 5 . 15 , James 3 . 16
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 52 . General Nehemiah 8 . 15 . the mount
Thebez . According to Eusebius , thirteen miles from Shechem , towards Scythopolis. Judges 9 . 50
Reciprocal . 1 Kings 16 . 17 . besieged Tirzah
Reciprocal . Judges 16 . 27 . the roof 2 Kings 9 . 13 . on the top
Judges 9 . 48 , Judges 9 . 49 , 2 Kings 14 . 10 , 2 Kings 15 . 16
woman . Judges 9 . 15 , Judges 9 . 20 , 2 Samuel 11 . 21 , 2 Samuel 20 . 21 , Job 31 . 3 , Jeremiah 49 . 20 , Jeremiah 50 . 45
and all to . An antiquated expression , meaning "full intention" to complete an object. "All to ," observes Dr. Johnson , "is a particle of mere enforcement." The original is wattaritz eth gulgalto , which is simply as the LXX render ךבי וךכבףו פן ךסבםיןם בץפןץ , "and she brake his skull." Plutarch relates , that Pyrrhus was killed at the siege of Thebes , by a piece of a tile , which a woman threw upon his head.
Reciprocal . Ecclesiastes 10 . 8 . that
Draw thy . 1 Samuel 31 . 4 , 1 Samuel 31 . 5
And his young man . It was a disgrace to be killed by a woman.
Reciprocal . Judges 4 . 9 . into Judges 8 . 21 . Rise thou 2 Samuel 1 . 7 . Here am I 2 Samuel 1 . 10 . slew 1 Kings 16 . 18 . and burnt the king's house 1 Chronicles 10 . 4 . Draw Jeremiah 38 . 19 . mock Matthew 27 . 5 . and departed Acts 16 . 27 . he drew
2 Samuel 18 . 16 , 2 Samuel 20 . 21 , 2 Samuel 20 . 22 , 1 Kings 22 . 35 , 1 Kings 22 . 36 , Proverbs 22 . 10
God rendered . Both the fratricide Abimelech and the unprincipled men of Shechem had the iniquity visited upon them of which they had been guilty. Man's judgment may be avoided; but there is no escape from that of God. How many houses have been sown with salt in France , by the just judgment of God , for the massacre of the Protestants on the eve of St. Bartholomew! See note on Judges 9 . 45. Judges 9 . 24 , Job 31 . 3 , Psalm 9 . 12 , Psalm 11 . 6 , Psalm 58 . 10 , Psalm 58 . 11 , Psalm 94 . 23 , Proverbs 5 . 22 , Matthew 7 . 2 , Acts 28 . 4 , Galatians 6 . 7 , Revelation 19 . 20 , Revelation 19 . 21
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 20 . let fire come out 1 Samuel 12 . 12 . Nay 2 Samuel 3 . 29 . rest 2 Samuel 16 . 8 . returned 1 Kings 16 . 17 . besieged Tirzah 2 Chronicles 21 . 4 . slew all 2 Chronicles 21 . 13 . hast slain Proverbs 26 . 1 . so Jeremiah 51 . 35 . The violence
upon them . Judges 9 . 20 , Judges 9 . 45 , Joshua 6 . 26 , 1 Kings 16 . 34
Reciprocal . 1 Samuel 12 . 12 . Nay 2 Samuel 3 . 29 . rest 2 Samuel 16 . 8 . returned 1 Kings 2 . 32 . return 1 Kings 16 . 17 . besieged Tirzah 2 Kings 2 . 24 . cursed them 2 Chronicles 21 . 4 . slew all 2 Chronicles 21 . 13 . hast slain Proverbs 26 . 1 . so Jeremiah 51 . 35 . The violence Amos 1 . 4 . I will