Judges 9:43

Verse

So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And he took his people, separating them into three bands, and was waiting secretly in the field; and when he saw the people coming out of the town, he went up and made an attack on them.

Free Bible Version

He divided his army into three companies and had them lay in ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he attacked and killed them.

Geneva Bible 1599

And he tooke the people, and deuided them into three bandes, and layde wayte in the fieldes, and looked, and beholde, the people were come out of the citie, and he rose vp against them, and smote them.

King James (Authorized) Version

And 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.

Translation for Translators

he divided his men into three groups, and told them to hide in the fields. So they did that. And when they saw the people coming out of the city, they jumped up and attacked them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

He took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city. So, he rose up against them and struck them.

Young's Literal Translation

and he taketh the people, and divideth them into three detachments, and layeth wait in a field, and looketh, and lo, the people are coming out from the city, and he riseth against them, and smiteth them.

Context

The Fall of Shechem

⁴²The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.⁴³So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.

Summary

This verse depicts Abimelek's army in pursuit of Gaal's forces, resulting in a fierce battle at the city gate. The conflict escalates as Abimelek's troops overpower Gaal's men, causing Gaal to flee in defeat. The narrative highlights the consequences of rebellion and the swift judgment that follows, illustrating the destructive nature of internal strife and power struggles. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale against seeking power through deceit and violence, emphasizing the importance of righteousness and God's sovereignty in leadership.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him,.... Which he had the particular command of; or "the heads" (m), for in the company with him, as Kimchi observes, were great men; and so the Septuagint renders it, the princes that were with him: rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city; to prevent the people that were in the field getting into it, and any from coming out of it to their relief: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them; so that by this means none escaped. (m) "et capita", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "et principes", Vatablus.