Judges 9:39

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

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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 9:39-43.

Judges 9:39 Judges 9:40 Judges 9:41 Judges 9:42 Judges 9:43

Glossary

Abimelech Person: My father a king, or father of a king, a common name of the Philistine kings, as “Pharaoh” was of the Egyptian kings. (1. ) The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham ( Gen. 20:1-18 ).
Shechem Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Balatah.
Gaal Person: Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites “placed their confidence” when they became discontented with Abimelech.