Judges 9

Judges 9:1

SHechem] See Chap. 8. 31.

unto his mothers brethren] i. e. Her kinred and allies, namely, to practise with them for the attaining of the kingdom. So v. 3. 18.

Judges 9:2

of all the men] i. e. All the lords and chief citizens, as the word Baal or Behalim here used signifieth.

your bone] i. e. Of your blood and kinred by my mothers side. See Genesis 2:23. and 29. 14. and if you will rather have one ruler then many, then chuse me before another, because I am your kinsman.

Judges 9:3

hearts inclined to follow] i. e. To chuse him, before any other, to be their king and captain, because he was their kinsman.

Judges 9:4

pieces of silver] See Gen. 20. 6.

out of the house] i. e. The idolatrous temple of this idoll, which stood upon an high hill neer Shechem.

vain and sight] i. e. A desperate and rascally crew, sons of Belial, that had no fear of God. So 2 Chronicles 13:7.

Judges 9:5

seventy persons] He nameth the whole number designed to the Haughter, though one of them, to wit, Jotham, escaped. And this is usuall in the scripture. So Genesis 42:13. Num. 14. 32, 33. 1 Corinthians 15:5.

Judges 9:6

house of Millo] Some understand hereby a city neer Shechem: others, the strong hold spoken of, v. 20. 46, 49. used for the town-house, where the full councell met together, guarded with a garrison.

by the plain] i. e. In that field neer Shechem, where Joshua erected the great stone under an oak, Joshua 24:26-27.

Judges 9:7

Gerizim] Which was neer Shechem, and over against it mount Ebal, Deut. 11. 29, 30. Joshua 8:33.

said] i. e. By divine inspiration, or spirit of prophecie, s the event shewed, v. 24, 57.

Hearken unto me] i. e. Hear me in my distresse, as you would have God hear you in yours.

Judges 9:8

the trees] In this parable he setteth forth the modesty of his father, himself and brethren, and the ambition of Abimelech, with the evil fruits of it. See the like, 2 Kings 14:9.

Judges 9:9

my fatnesse] i. e. My usefull oil.

God and man] For the oil thereof was used in sacrifices, and the lamps of the sanctuary, in the anointing of kings, priests and prophets, 1 Kings 19:16. for food and feature, Psalms 104:15.

Judges 9:13

cheareth God and man] Because wine also was used in sacrifices and oblations, and also cheareth the heart of man, Psalms 104:14.

Judges 9:15

my shadow] Which seeming to promise shelter and safety, doth indeed prick, scratch and tear all that come under it, as tyrants use to do, Daniel 4:12.

the cedars] i. e. The princes, elders and chief men amongst them.

of Lebanon] This mount was famous for tall and goodly cedars growing there in aboundance.

Judges 9:16

Now therefore] In these words he unfoldeth and applyeth the parable.

dealt well] If you have gratefully requited him for all the benefits received from him.

Judges 9:17

adventured] Hebr. cast away: i. e. neglected and despised his life for the common good. So Chap. 12. 3. and 5. 18.

Judges 9:21

ran away, fled and went] This variety of words, expressing the same thing, implyeth his great haste in fleeing.

to Beer] Some think it to be that Baalath-beer, in the tribe of Simeon, mentioned Joshua 19:8.

Judges 9:23

an evill spirit] i. e. Either Satan himself the author of discord, as 1 Samuel 10:9. 19. 9. or the evill affection of division and dissention.

Judges 9:24

cruelty] i. e. The just revenge of that cruelty.

their blood] i. e. The guilt and punishment of their blood unjustly shed. So 2 Samuel 1:16. 1 King. 2. 32, &c.

Judges 9:25

for him] i. e. For Abimelech to surprize him, if he passed by weakly attended.

robbed all] But those chiefly of Abimelech his party.

Judges 9:26

confidence in him] Having chosen him for their captain.

Judges 9:27

into the fields] Namely, to shew how much out of their confidence in Gaal they sleighted Abimelech, whom before they feared, and durst not for him, go out of the citie.

made merry] Or, sung, as they used to do in the time of vintage. Isaiah 16:9-10. Jeremiah 25:30.

their god] Namely, to praise him for delivering them from the yoak of Abimelech.

Judges 9:28

Who is Abimelech] i. e. How base is he, and unworthy his place of government?

and who is Shechem] i. e. How unfit to be governed by him, being a city so ancient and famous?

the son of Jerub-baal] i. e. Who was but a mean private man, that got his name by that act of destroying the altar of our god Baal.

his officer] Left in Shechem as his lievtenant.

of Hamor] That is, some of his progeny, pointing as some think, at himself, who was descended of him. Others thus: If ye will needs serve, then such as do not rule tyrannically, like Abimelech, but in a fatherly manner, as Hamor did of old.

Judges 9:29

under my hand] i. e. Under my goverment.

remove Abimelech] To wit, from being any longer king.

said to Abimlech] To wit, being absent in a Thrasonicall bragging manner.

Increase thine army] Make thy self as strong as thou canst, whereby my victory will be more glorious, and then if thou darest come out to battle.

Judges 9:33

when he] i. e. Gaal.

Judges 9:38

thy mouth] That is, thy glorying and boasting.

Judges 9:41

Arumah] A city neer Shechem southerly.

Judges 9:45

sowed it with salt] In token that it should for ever remain unfruitfull, desolate, and uninhabited. So Deuteronomy 29:23. yet afterwards it was reedified, 1 King. 12. 1, 25.

Judges 9:46

god Berith] Called before Baal-berith, vers. 4. whither they went, trusting both in the strength and religion of the place.

Judges 9:48

mount Zalmon] Which lay west-ward from Shechem, towards Jordan; on it were thick trees, and snow that seldom melted. Psalms 68:14.

Judges 9:49

died also] i. e. Were all destroyed, as well they in the tower, as the other.

Judges 9:50

Thebez] A city lying on the north of Shechem, between the mounts of Samaria and Gilboa.

Judges 9:51

shut it] i. e. Shut the gates of it.

Judges 9:52

fought against it] i. e. Assaulted it.

Judges 9:54

that men say not] He thought by this means to smother it, but this made it the more to be spoken of. 2 Samuel 11:21.

Judges 9:55

men of Israel] To wit, which had followed Abimelech.

Judges 9:56

God rendered] i. e. Inflicted upon him justly, deserved punishment for his cruell murthers.

Judges 9:57

men of Shechem] Who had assisted him in his tyrannies.