And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
Study Helps
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 9:34-38.
Glossary
- 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.