Juízes 9

Juízes 9

Barnes on Zalmon - A lofty and thickly-wooded hill, as the etymology of the name (“shady”) implies, in the immediate neighborhood of Shechem: perhaps the same as Ebal. The setting fire to the hold, where the men of Shechem were all crowded together, with their wives and children, was the literal fulfillment of Jotham‘s curse in Judges 9:20. On his shoulder - The Hebrew word is shekem - Herbert Wolf: “shoulder” = “Shechem” – Thus the name of the city held prophetic import for its own destruction. Pett - Taking his people with him Abimelech climbed Mount Zalmon which was tree-covered, and was so fired up that he himself took an axe and cut a bough from the tree. Then he bid all his followers to do the same as quickly as they could. George Bush - Mount Zalmon. A mountain in the vicinity of Shechem, so called from the abundant shade caused by the forests with which it was covered. See Ps. 68:15. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And Abimelech gat him up to Mount Zalmon [a hill near Shechem, identified by Dr Stanley with Ebal (Sin. and Pal., 236, note 4). The word means ‘shady,’ “Black Forest” (Ps. 68:14), where the sense is, the bright victory after the gloomy conflict was like the glittering snow which relieves the blackness of Salmon’s forests], he and all the people that (were) with him; and Abimelech took an ax [Heb., “the axes,” for himself and his men. A certain number of axes was part of the army’s equipment for such purposes] in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid (it) on his shoulder, and said unto the people that (were) with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, (and) do as I (have done) [the son imitates Gideon his father’s language in giving directions to his men (Jdg 6:17, 18)]. The People's Bible by Joseph Parker "Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done."- Judges 9:48. This exhortation may be adopted by Christian believers.—What ye have seen me do in difficult business circumstances.—What ye have seen me do in the presence of great temptations.—What ye have seen me do in the way of self-sacrifice.—What ye have seen me do in great afflictions.— This may be adopted also by Christian teachers.—The Apostle Paul said. "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."—What ye have seen me do in the way of energy, in the way of faith, in the way of self-expenditure, in the way of forgiveness, make haste, and do as I have done.—Is the Christian believer prepared to make himself an example to others? What Christian man would be willing to say, You need not at present look any further than to myself, for I am guide and standard enough to the Church?— This exhortation may also be adopted by parents when addressing their children: each father or mother should be able to say, What ye have seen me do in the thick of domestic difficulties, in the night of pain, in the assured oncoming of poverty, in the very cloud and overshadowing of despair.—If we were to accustom ourselves to the thought that we have to show forth our own conduct as a standard, it would make us more careful to see that that standard is noble and right.—Even if we do not call attention to our actions ourselves, yet men are looking on, and may well claim that they have a right to copy us.—We may affect humility, and say, Do not look at us, but look at our Master; but after all the men of the world have a right to say, No: Christ is too high for us: we will look at his followers, and judge his Christianity by their spirit and their action.— A point, too, might be made of the words "make haste," because that which is an example today may be no example to-morrow in relation to certain practical matters; the circumstances altering, the adaptation to them must alter also. Beside, if we do not copy the example of today we may not be living to copy it to-morrow.—There are circumstances under which everything depends upon a prompt use of time.—The train goes at a certain moment, so does the post; the bank closes at a given hour: opportunities of all kinds are limited.—Hence the great importance which ought to be attached to the words "make haste." Judges 9:49 And all the people also cut down each one his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women. put them on the inner chamber: Jdg 9:15,20 Ga 5:15 Jas 3:16 Judges 9 Resources Related Passages: Judges 9:15; 20+ (JOTHAM'S "PROPHETIC PARABOLIC" CURSE) “The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ (9:20) “But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” TOWERING INFERNO FULFILLS JOTHAM'S CURSE And all the people also cut down each one his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women: Thus another Canaanite enclave was obliterated. Unfortunately not for long as it again became an important center during the days of the Israelite kingdom (1Ki 12:1), and was rebuilt by Jeroboam I (1Ki 12:25). A thousand indicates this was a massive fortress temple. Peter Pett - The people obeyed his command and returned to the tower with their branches, and then they were piled up outside the fortified tower and set on fire, burning the tower with the people in it, who would no doubt be mercifully suffocated by the smoke. Thus all the priests and attendants of Baal died as well, together with the priestesses of Baal, the sacred prostitutes. Altogether ‘about a thousand’. Thus some hundreds. So was Jotham’s curse fulfilled (Judges 9:20). Stone - The cutting of trees, indeed, of whole forests and orchards, figures prominently in ancient Near East warfare accounts. As Stager (1999, 2003) notes, the smoke from the fires would be suffocating in the narrow, cramped space in which Shechem's upper crust had hidden. In addition, the temple's construction would be both brick and timber; ultimately, the entire structure would collapse. Jamieson - Since this tower or fortress was so strong, and there was no hope of its being taken by storm, Abimelech resolved to set it on fire, being a wooden edifice. With this view he went up to mount Zalmon, which, in the opinion of Dr. Robinson ('Physical Geography of Palestine,' p. 36), 'could only be some part of Gerizim or Ebal, then covered with wood, since there is no other mountain near to Shechem.' There having cut down a branch, he lifted it on his shoulder, and bade all the people around do the same. A large quantity of fuel was thus brought down from the mountain, and laid in the lease round the tower. This being ignited, the flames, communicating with the tower, began to act on its wooden walls, so that all who had taken refuge in it were suffocated by the smoke or perished in the conflagration. The application of fire was a common expedient in sieges (see Layard, 'Nineveh and its Remains,' 2: p. 373). The assailants, creeping stealthily to the gates, applied torches to them, while they screened themselves from observation and from danger by o'ercanopying their heads with their uplifted shields (cf. Homer, 'Iliad,' 2:, 464; 15:; AEschylus, 'Supplicants,' 76). Preacher's Commentary writes that "In application, we must draw the unpalatable but salutary lesson of the “exceeding sinfulness of sin.” Once the tide of evil builds, nothing can contain it in the end. This was the unlearned lesson of the 1930s as the evil Nazi power base in Germany grew stronger and stronger, almost unchallenged, until the whole world was caught up in its cataclysmic outcome. We think that sin can be contained; but it cannot. We talk of “little” sins and “white” lies, to persuade ourselves that we can stop whenever we wish, but it is not like that. One of Dr. Paul White’s famous “Jungle Doctor” stories tells of the African family who took pity on an orphaned leopard cub, took it into their home, nurtured and cared for it, and treated it as a pet. Frequently they were warned to return it to the wild before it became too powerful for them to handle. But the warnings were disregarded; they knew the animal so well—it was one of the family. Then, one day, it showed its true nature and the “domesticated” beast of prey became a killer. The jungle doctor’s message was clear and plain: “Little leopards become big leopards, and big leopards kill!” The characteristic nature of sin is contempt for anything of value (contrast Philippians 4:8). “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:l0a). That is why he is no friend of the shepherd or the sheep… In a culture like ours, where the very concept of sin is an endangered species, under threat of extinction, we need to hear this lesson over and over again. It is common to view individual sins as nothing more than a nuisance or an irritation, rather like minor traffic offenses. They will only cause us difficulties if we are foolish or unfortunate enough to accumulate too many, we tell ourselves. This chapter is a powerful corrective to that sort of self-indulgent weakness which all too often infects our thinking, even as Christians. (See The Preacher's Commentary) ARCHAEOLOGY - An article in a newspaper several years ago was entitled "Biblical Revolution Account Verified": "American archaeologists have confirmed the Bible's account of a revolution which followed Abimelech's attempt to become the first king of Israel, Harvard university has announced. Evidence fixing the truth of the event was uncovered in the 4000 year old remains of Shechem… Abimelech's brief reign was dated at about 1150BC on the basis of Shechem discoveries, Harvard reported. The archaeologists also discovered that the 3 buildings mentioned in the Bible [the "House of Baal-Berith," the "House of Millo," and the "Tower of Shechem"] were one and the same and that Shechem's great temple-fortress was the largest in Palestine." RELATED NOTE (SCROLL DOWN PAGE) - Archaeologists (e.g., E. Campbell, B. Mazar, G. E. Wright and L. Stager) refer to the “tower of Shechem” as “the Tower (migdal) Temple or Fortress-Temple” of Shechem (Campbell 1993: 1348, Stager 2003: 26 and 68 note 1). Stager recently reexamined the work of Wright who, in 1926, excavated a large building that has been reported to be this Fortress-Temple (Stager 2003). Stager’s conclusions are that this Temple, “Temple 1, ” was, in fact, the migdal referred to in Judges 9. It is the largest such Canaanite structure found in Israel and was 70 ft (21 m) wide, 86 ft (26 m) long with stone foundation walls 17 ft (5.1 m) thick. The foundation supported a multistory mudbrick and timber temple with an entrance flanked by two large towers. Stager hypothesized that the courtyard of this temple could have been where Joshua “took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD” (Jos 24:26). A R Fausset - And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put (them) to the hold [which was probably of wood, at least in part], and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also [besides the men of Shechem itself] about a thousand [in all, including both] men and women [fulfilling to the letter Jotham’s curse (ver. 20)]. Judges 9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it. Thebez: According to Eusebius, thirteen miles from Shechem, towards Scythopolis. Jdg 9:50 Judges 9 Resources Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it: Thebez has been identified by most biblical scholars with modern Tubas about 10-13 miles northeast of Shechem on the road to Beth Shan (see map). This city apparently was aligned with Shechem and had joined in the revolt.The men of Thebez (modern Tubas) had, doubtless, joined the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech. Paul Apple - Abimelech was feeling his oats; felt invincible; apparently the men of Thebez had been involved in some type of insurrection attempt as well or were supportive of the men of Shechem; Abimelech figured he would take the same military approach and he should achieve the same results. [Remember what it says in fine print in many advertisements: Past performance is no guarantee of future success.] Pett - The insurrection in Shechem had spread. Abimelech had not been reigning as a prince of Israel long and already there was general dissatisfaction. It was not only his kingship at Shechem, with their syncretistic beliefs, that was in question, but his princeship over his part of Israel. Thebez was a fortified city in the hill country of Ephraim. It is modern Tubas about ten miles (sixteen kilometres) north of Nablus and twelve miles (nineteen kilometres) north east of Shechem on the road to Beth-shan. But Abimelech was an able general, and besieged it and took it. THEBEZ the'-bez (tebhets, "brightness"; Codex Vaticanus Thebes; Codex Alexandrinus Thaibais): A city in Mt. Ephraim which refused submission to Abimelech when he set up as king of Israel. After the reduction of Shechem he turned his arms against Thebez. There was a strong tower within the city-the citadel-into which all the inhabitants gathered for safety, climbing onto the roof of the tower. Abimelech incautiously venturing near the tower, a woman cast an upper millstone upon his head and broke his skull. Fearing the shame of perishing by the hand of a woman, he persuaded his armor-bearer to thrust him through (Judges 9:50). The incident is alluded to in 2 Samuel 11:21. Eusebius, Onomasticon places it 13 Roman miles from Neapolis (Nablus) on the road to Scythopolis (Beisan). There is no doubt that it is represented by Tubas. This is a village situated in a district of considerable fertility, about 10 miles from Nablus. There are many olive trees. The rain is captured and led to rockcut cisterns, whence the village draws its water-supply. According to the Samaritans the tomb of Neby Toba marks the grave of the patriarch Asher. W. Ewing Judges 9:51 But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. Judges 9 Resources Related Passage: Judges 8:17 He tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. A STRONG TOWER IN THEBEZ But there was a strong tower (migdal) in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. - Bush writes of this strong tower that "Doubtless a sort of citadel such as exists in most considerable towns in western Asia, and which serves the people as a last retreat when the town is taken by an enemy, and where the people shut themselves up on occasions of popular tumult. In some parts of the East, such towers are to be seen in the open country, where the neighboring peasantry may deposit their more valuable property, or themselves take refuge, when the approach of an enemy or of a plundering tribe is expect." Charles Pfeiffer on there was a strong tower within the city. The tower of Shechem was outside the city, that of Thebez, within. After Abimelech took the city, he had to take the stronghold within it. (Borrow Wycliffe Bible Commentary) ESV Study Note - The foundations of a square tower (38 feet/12 m sq.) from this period were found at the site of Giloh (see Josh. 15:51; 2 Sam. 15:12). The tower was well-built, having been constructed of large, roughly hewn stones (See in context the ESV Study Bible Note or borrow ESV study Bible for one hour) (See related note above on archaeology) Fled there - As all creatures in times of danger run to their refuges. [Pr 30:26; Ps 104:18 Da 4:10-11] Proverbs 18:11+ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination. (See table contrasting Pr 18:10 and Pr 18:11) A R Fausset - But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and [i.e., namely] all they of the city, and shut (it) to them, and gat them up to the [flat] top of the tower. Tower (04026)(migdal) is a masculine noun that refers to a tower such as watchtower (as in a vineyard = Isa 5:2) or a strong place ("Tower of Babel" = Ge 11:4, tower for defense = Jdg 9:51), a wooden podium or rostrum (Neh 8:4), mound of perfume (Song 5:13ESV), breasts (figuratively = Song 8:10) Erdman's Dictionary defines "tower" as "A defensive structure either built into a city wall or located on a hill as a watchtower. Towers (Heb. migdāl) were built into city walls at strategic positions such as corners, city gates, and vulnerable locations. Massive towers built as part of the city gate structure (e.g., Megiddo, Samaria, Hazor, Dan, Beer-sheba, Timnah) increased defense capabilities at a city’s most vulnerable location. Towers, built into the walls at intervals to increase defense capabilities, usually jutted out beyond the city wall giving defenders a clear view of the wall’s foundation and anyone attempting to breech the wall. This type of tower is typically taller than the adjoining city wall." Judges 9:52 So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. Jdg 9:48,49 2Ki 14:10 15:16 Judges 9 Resources So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire - He was encouraged by his success at the tower of Shechem. Once again we see the destructive effect of a haughty spirit! Barnes on approached the entrance - An act of manifest danger, seeing the roof was covered with persons who would be likely to throw down missiles of all sorts on the heads of their assailants. But the hatred of Abimelech, and his thirst for revenge, made him despise danger.