And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
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 9:39-43.
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.
- 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.
- Arumah Place
- Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Urmah.