Judges 9:30

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

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Interpretation

Abimelech intended to punish the Schechemites for slighting him now, but God punished them for their serving him formerly in the murder of Gideon's sons. When God uses men as instruments in his hand to do his work, he means one thing, and they another.

Read with

This thought runs through Judges 9:30-33.

Judges 9:30 Judges 9:31 Judges 9:32 Judges 9:33

Glossary

Ebed Person: Slave, the father of Gaal, in whom the men of Shechem “put confidence” in their conspiracy against Abimelech ( Judg. 9:26 , 26, 30, 31).
Gaal Person: Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites “placed their confidence” when they became discontented with Abimelech.
Zebul People: Habitation, the governor of Shechem under Abimelech ( Judg. 9:28 , 30, 36). He informed his master of the intention of the people of Shechem to transfer their allegiance to the Hivite tribe of Hamor.
City People: The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).