[2.] The end was that he met with the judgment least of all to be coveted by man, most of all detestable to a proud spirit like his own. Let none expect to do ill and fare well. They had been at length brought down to their right place before God; they had taken the shame to themselves; the Lord had chastised them, and they had needed and deserved it righteously. We see a man, not without faith indeed (Hebrews 11:32), though his confidence was largely in the strength with which God had invested him, rather than in Him who would yet prove Himself the sole source of it; a man who was roused by personal affront and desire of vengeance, not by a solemn duty; a man who slowly and weakly wakes up to any sense of his mission, who is ever too ready to sink down again into the lowest indulgence of fallen nature among the enemy. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The fact which comes out first is that Gibeah of Benjamin was scarce better than Sodom or Gomorrah, on which Jehovah rained fire and brimstone for their uncleanness. And they would often hook an oxen to it and they had this stone groove that went around in a circle. It was the energy of His Spirit who thought of His people showing out by the way, as we have remarked, in that wayward man the fallen state to which they were reduced by their own sin, with the highest claims outwardly but morally in as low a condition as could then be conceived. It is the expression of the agent of divine power in no way the seal of redemption or the earnest of the inheritance, as we know Him dwelling in us now since the shedding of the blood of Jesus. Jephthah takes the greatest pains to prove, when he comes forward, that he has clear right on his side. He was the power of God and the wisdom of God; but what shall we say of His obedience on the one hand, and on the other of His patience? TO ANOINT A KING, i.e. b. Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him." When we really are found in sorrow, and in circumstances that call for sorrow, before Jehovah, the heart is open to feel for the wrong-doer. Through highway robbery, the Shechemites created an atmosphere of insecurity and disorder, at the same time robbing Abimelech of his taxes (22-25). And he gave him a real rebuke and then he took off running as fast as he could go. And Samson called unto Jehovah, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Now I am far from denying that it is right for us to feel the pain and shame of Samson's ways. Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. What came out we know too well. . It makes wise the simple; it enlightens the eyes. . b. Abimelech was the bramble; and the ceders of Lebanon, all the nobles and people of Israel. Not so: they took the insult patiently; and these were persons who were called to be the witnesses of earthly righteousness. three thousand men of Judah! go out, now, and fight with them ( Judges 9:29-38 ). Abimelech slew his brethren on one stone, either by dashing them from one rock, or sacrificing them on one stone altar, in revenge for the demolition of Baal's altar by their father. (f) Abimelech will destroy the nobles of Shechem. I am not speaking of what men of the world may be, for they may be conscientious and honourable in their own way; but it is different with God's people. It is intimated, [1.] Then Abimelech the Son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem: Abimelech was the son of Jerubbaal (another name for Gideon given in Judges 8:35), but he was not the clear successor to his fathers place of leadership. 9 So he said to the men of Peniel, When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower. Thus He bids the men of Judah go; but the men of Judah were shamefully beaten, and were forced to weep before Jehovah. "And in those days the tribe of the Danites." Here then we have certain facts, apart from the historic course, introduced in these words: "There was a man of mount Ephraim." And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows who followed him. If I have spoken strongly, it is only, I trust, what becomes every believer. Years might pass, hundreds of years roll over, but moral principles and even natural relationships do not lose their power. Here the rashness of the man enters the scene, the consequence of which is a display of what was painful in the extreme. All are aware there are a great many who try to explain the difficulty away or soften it down. But how perfectly He stood, though tried as none ever was or could be but Himself! But all of the other sons of Gideon were killed. 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. Now it was that God wrought for His glory. And go to sway over trees? Of all the deliverers that grace ever raised up, there was not one who for personal prowess was to be compared with Samson; but of all those, where was the man who fell so habitually below even that which would have disgraced an ordinary Israelite? another point, still more important, going along with it. We have seen how grace overruled, broke up an evil association before it was consummated, and gave him righteous ground to take vengeance on the Philistines, followed by his judging Israel for twenty years. Obviously the bramble represented Abimelech, the trees and vine more noble individuals, and the cedars of Lebanon the upright leaders of Shechem. 2. Still this became their relationship, yet the children of Israel have the answer from Jehovah, "Go up against him." "And so they came to the vine and said, "Rule over us. They had sought peace, and Sihon would have war. . Come and put your trust in any shadow The vain boast of the would-be sovereign; and of the man who is seeking to be put into power by the suffrages of the people. Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. The writer of Judges used an interesting word to say that Abimelech had reigned over Israel. . There had been in ancient times a link between Ammon and Moab with the children of Israel: a cloud of dishonour and of shame overhung them; yet a link there was, and God would have this at least to be never forgotten. His kingdom probably consisted only of Shechem and a few towns round about (9:1-6). Web1. "To the church of" and "He who has an ear let him hear" Yes indeed God is ever present both as a protector and also as a Judge for we each make our own bed and we must all sleep in the bed we make for ourselves! Absolutely immaculate Himself, He was made sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness in Him who for us by death annulled him that had the power of death, and gave us out of that defeat our unfailing comfort. i. I speak of course of David, the son of Jesse. ABIMELECH IS MADE KING BY THE SHECHEMITES. The ANSWER is: "Practice makes Perfect!" Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? Could, at the beck of the Philistine, there be found at once three thousand men so willing and prompt to betray the champion of Israel? Now it was perfectly lawful for the children of Israel to treat them as intruders and strangers, who had no rightful claim, no valid plea why they should be restored. After the death of Gideon, this Abimelech who was the son of his concubine in Shechem. We shall find too that Samson's feats of power, great as they were, in no way broke the neck of Philistine oppression. i. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel: but the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together out of the cities unto Gibeah, to go out to battle against the children of Israel.". Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. i. This, at least, was right. This certainly stimulated him though I am far from insinuating no better underneath. Then he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, A woman killed him. So his young man thrust him through, and he died. To Samson, as we see, it was far different. a. And he said to them: Listen to me, you men of Shechem, The woman then tells her husband of the angel's visit, and they both entreat Jehovah, Manoah particularly, that the man of God might be sent again. Verses: PREVIOUS Judges 8 NEXT (The Shechemites were a group of Canaanites who lived peaceably among the Israelites; see Genesis 12:6; Genesis 34:1-31; Joshua 24:32.) The result is that "the people rose as one man, saying, We will not any of us go to his tent, neither will we any of us turn into his house. Yet is the victory won by God's Spirit, without anything in the hand; but it is by direct antagonism to the enemy, not by guilty connection with his instruments. 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 fire come out - The propriety of the image is strictly preserved, for even the thorns of the worthless bramble might kindle a flame which would burn the stately cedars to the ground. Therefore is it explained with great care. It is well sometimes for all those who teach that they should be obliged to learn; well that they should be forced to feel that they do not know; an excellent moral lesson that they should confess it not only be conscious of it, but own it; for indeed the necessary claim of scripture is that it be confided in as the word of God, though it does not thence follow that we are competent to explain all. Alas! Judges 9:8 Commentaries: "Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. (8) The trees went forth. If this be so, the captivity might be the Assyrian, and not that of the Philistines. Could they therefore suppose that such a low-born, uneducated, cruel, and murderous man, could be a proper protector, or a humane governor? 1. It was not true that the children of Israel had taken those lands as was pretended. It was known, but intended to be so; but for all that the children of Israel, as Jephthah showed, would not go against the word of God. But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women; all the people of the city; fled there and shut themselves in; then they went up to the top of the tower. When he approached the vineyards of Timnah, he saw a roaring young lion attacking him. But we are sanctified by the Spirit unto the obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, and are called to obey, as the wife her husband. The truest deliverance from self is in that work where all was judged, and evil put away for ever. No way. But if God's people have got into subjection to the world, none are so heartless about, if not bitter against, him who breaks fully with the enemy. Brambles bore no fruit and offered no shelter or protection. 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. The great point of the preface is that "in those days there was no king in Israel" the opening words of Judges 18:1-31. If unveiling the fact at all, he would have apologized for it, denounced its evil to clear himself, spoken much perhaps of God's permitting and overruling. This again leads to a bitter vengeance of the Philistines on those of Timnath who had served him so ill the very fate befalling them at last, to escape which at first the woman had lent herself to the basest treachery. c. Where indeed is your mouth now: When Zebul knew that Gaal was at a disadvantage, he could not resist rebuking him for his proud, arrogant words against Abimelech, an enemy he could not defeat. I can stand on the stage and drop a pin and you can hear it sitting up there in the amphitheater with several hundred people. Pride, look what it would do, even when you're dying, you know. Jotham, having given them this admonition, made a shift to escape with his life, Judges 9:21; Judges 9:21. i. b. It seems to me then that the reserve of the Holy Spirit is as strikingly according to God as the rashness of Jephthah is a solemn warning to man. Who's Abimelech? It is not the vanity of setting up oneself as possessed of exclusive powers or special means of attaining or explaining anything; for I should distrust anyone who pretended to anything of the sort, no matter who or where he might be. all those stories that Jesus told that provide so much of how we understand our faith. "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years." Only Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, who by a special providence escaped the common ruin of his family (Judges 9:5; Judges 9:5), 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. This is an important principle. Does God Really Work All Things Together for Good? Gideon had rejected, with abhorrence, the proposal to make himself or any of his family king, and there is no evidence that any of his other sons coveted the title. Not as if He could not care for His own; but our strength, comfort, and blessing are in His name. A stronger proof there could not be desired, that the people, as a whole, were far from God. WebWhen God uses men as instruments in his hand to do his work, he means one thing, and they another. So he stands up there and really tells them off and rebukes them for what they have done.Actually, he preaches sort of a parabolic type of a message. There is not a single jot in the Scriptures that God has written or ordered which is not worthy of Himself; nor is there the least possibility of improving either. If this be submitted to (and you might more consistently reject the Bible altogether, if you do not submit), one sees the hollowness and falsehood of sitting in judgment upon it: for who can question that to doubt that which comes directly from God Himself would be to take the place, not merely of an unbeliever, but of a blasphemer or an atheist? unknown) Pilgrim - You ask "HOW one comes to know the words of God to the fullest?" What a figure of, but contrast with, His death who only pursued to that final point His absolute devotedness to the will of God, not doing it only but suffering it to the uttermost, and thus righteously by His death securing what no living obedience could have touched! Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and he laid in wait in the field, and he looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; he rose up against them, and smote them. (30-33) The role of Zebul, the ruler of the city. With a little exertion of voice, he could easily have been heard by the people of the city; for the hill so overhangs the valley, that a person from the side or summit would have no difficulty in speaking to listeners at the base. But the fig tree said to them, The allusion is far more probably to the use of thorns for fuel: Exodus 22:6, If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn . Start you journey by obeying God's First Commandment given to New Testament Believers in Christ found in Acts 2:38. 13. wine, which cheereth God and man--not certainly in the same manner. One man who is your brother who comes right of Shechem, who understands your needs and all or all of the sons of Jerubbaal? WebJudges Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete) Bible Study Tools Join PLUS Login. They have no shame nor resentment on their part at this accusation of treachery. And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. WebIn Judges 9:8-15, Jotham conveys a message about the trees speaking amongst themselves while seeking a king. After this bold warning he ran away and fled for fear of his life. Indeed, for Him to obey in such a world must have been suffering It could not be otherwise. 51-53. all the men and women, . The truth of all we find in our Lord Jesus. etc. God's Word is the Truth see John 17:17). Resent it? But the olive tree said unto them, Should So Abimelech was wiped out. You can also change some of your preferences. 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. Such a one was Abimelech, and yet chosen to the government by the trees, by all the trees; this election seems to have been more unanimous than any of the others. i. With the advantage of their superior position, Abimelech and his soldiers drove out Gaal and his men. Jehovah listens, and His angel appears to the woman, who summons her husband, when both see the angel as he repeats his message with its solemn injunction. . You've been saying who's Abimelech? God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem: Everything seemed fine between the men of Shechem and Abimelech for three years. I. But verse 30 seems adverse to this view. The men of Shechem put their confidence in him: The men of Shechem lost their confidence in Abimelech, so they chose a new leader named Gaal, the son of Ebed. "And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. It was ordered of God that it should spring from that tribe, which was more than any other marked, not merely by a weakness that portended danger to themselves, as we shall see, but by a moral laxity which would finally afford a suited subject, as indeed from the beginning it had been intimated prophetically in the last words of their father Jacob a-dying, for the fatal result of departure and apostasy from God. Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem--The idolatry which had been stealthily creeping into Israel during the latter years of Gideon was now openly professed; Shechem was wholly inhabited by its adherents; at least, idolaters had the ascendency. a. 5 Samson went down to Timnah. we next hear of Samson's visit to the Philistine woman who pleased him well: no small sin for an Israelite, as it is worse for a Christian, to marry one of the world. Here Gideon had become your deliverer and he freed you from the hand of the Midianites and now this is the way you treat, you know, Gideon and his offspring. Nor are you thus called to believe anything like an extravagance, though it surely would be so if the Bible were a human book, and so to be treated like any other, which after all even infidels do not: witness their occupation with it and zeal against it. And as I say, from the top of Gerizim you've got a good lead on anybody that might want to chase you. God would magnify His power, but only as a witness now and then; nothing more. God held even to the distant tie of connection a most striking proof and witness of the ways of our God. They looked upon this hold as both a fort and a sanctuary; but it saved them not. (Trapp). It was flying in the face of His law and word to have an idol; it was adding profane insult to enter on its worship with such ceremony as to get a Levite consecrated priest in order to invest it with solemnity. But commentators observe it for a just hand of God upon Abimelech, that upon one stone he had slain his seventy brethren, and now a stone slayeth him: his head had stolen the crown of Israel, and now his head is smitten. (Trapp). 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. You can check these in your browser security settings. In short Samson appears to me a man with as little, or as low, an appreciation of what it was to fight the battles of the Lord, as God had been pleased to use in any epoch throughout inspired history. "And the olive tree said, "Should I leave my fatness and so forth and rule over you? WebJudges 9:8-15 New International Version 8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. Now Mount Gerizim is a pretty good, you know, climb to get up to the top of the mountain and he knew that he had a good running distance on the guy. From the top of Gerizim you can call down in the valley and they can hear you quite plainly, sort of a natural amphitheater. Commonly, it is only a matter of time until the same violence is turned against those who helped him come to power. WebHebrews 8:7-9 Commentary Hebrews 8:10-11 Commentary Hebrews 8:12-13 Commentary Hebrews 9:1-2 Commentary Hebrews 9:3-5 Commentary Hebrews 9:6-7 Commentary Hebrews 9:8-10 Commentary Hebrews 9:11-12 Commentary Hebrews 9:13-14 Commentary Hebrews 9:15-17 Commentary Hebrews 9:18-20 Commentary WebScripture: Judges 9:8-15 Denomination: Baptist Abimelech: Whos In Charge Series Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 25, 2009 based on 4 ratings | 8,646 views ABIMELECH TYPIFIES THE PURSUIT OF OUR WAY RATHER THAN GODS WAY. It is only another proof of what we have always to assume in reading the Bible that not only the things given are divine, but that the arrangement, even when they look somewhat disorderly, is just as divine as the communication itself. II. But that which does good to every saint and to every soul is the unqualified confidence in God and His word, which, if it does not reproduce itself in hearts purified by faith, at least deals with the consciences of all others till utterly blinded by Satan. To anoint a king over them.Evidently the thought of royalty was, so to speak, in the air. It is interesting to find from this passing allusion that the custom of anointing a king must have prevailed among the neighbouring nations. Hey, no he wasn't so meek and mild. It was His brethren who sought to lay hold on Him as beside Himself, His brethren who did not believe on Him. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. The earth is destined to be the theatre where God will display righteousness reigning; but even now, while things are out of course, and His enemy is in power, He holds to His own character, owning and using all He can. It was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 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 the son of his maid-servant, whom all that had any respect to Gideon's honour would endeavour to conceal, yet him they made their king. This is exceedingly instructive. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. It was the business of the Ammonites to have defended their claims as best they could against the Amorites. The extent of Abimelechs kingdom was very limited; only Shechem, Beth-millo, Arumah (Judges 9:41) and Thebez (Judges 9:50) are mentioned as under his jurisdiction and it is unlikely that it extended beyond a portion of western Manasseh. (Cundall), iii. His secret was to keep his hair uncut, with all strength annexed to it. He supposes the trees to make their court to him: Come thou and reign over us, perhaps because he knew not that the first motion of Abimelech's preferment came from himself (as we found, Judges 9:2; Judges 9:2), but thought the Shechemites had proposed it to him; however, supposing it so, his folly in accepting it deserved to be chastised. It is no mere external sign for us who know the Lord Jesus. Since I understand Jotham to be a prophet, he is presumably relaying a message from God. Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. Zebul advised Abimelech to come and attack the city. . Of course, that's where Jesus was addressing so many people, and also they're at the Temple Mount where Jesus addressed so many people.So this Jotham, son of Gideon, the one that Abimelech didn't kill, went up to the top of Mount Gerizim, and here is Shechem down below. A watchman of His Word, Interesting, how can me know the words of God to the fullest. The fact was that some other races and peoples had dispossessed the Ammonites of these lands. Nevetheless, Abimelech became the first person ever to be crowned king in Israel. The day may come when nobody appears to lend you a helping hand. [Note: For parallels to this fable in ancient Near Eastern literature, see W. C. van Wyk, "The Fable of Jotham in its Ancient Near Eastern Setting," in Studies in Wisdom Literature, pp. Abimelech probably grew up in Shechem (Judges 8:31). In Samson's case, tested in a seemingly little sign but a sign of entire subjection to God, and this in separation from all others, it was obedience; not so in our case, where we have the highest treasure in earthen vessels, but obedience in everything, and this formed and guided by the Spirit according to the written word, now set in the fullest light, because seen in the person, and ways, and work, and glory of Christ. 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. With the help of some worthless Shechemites, Abimelech killed all his brothers (except one who escaped) and established himself king in Shechem. And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron."
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