Juízes 9

Juízes 9

Guzik - The men of Shechem were so confident that their new leader Gaal could protect them against Abimelech that they started throwing drunken parties and openly cursing Abimelech, and challenging him to a fight (Jdg 9:28 - “Increase your army and come out!”). George Bush - And they went out, &c. Or, Heb. ‘and when they had gone out, &c.—then they made merry.’ The original for ‘making merry,’ is properly, ‘making songs,’ or, ‘making praises,’ and refers to the custom of celebrating the harvest of vintage with songs of rejoicing and other festivities; of which see Lev. 19:24; Is. 16:9, 10; Jer. 25:30. Went into the house of their god, &c. In imitation of the worshippers of the true God, who resorted to the sanctuary on such occasions. Cursed Abimelech. Loading his name with the foulest reproaches and revilings, and perhaps calling upon their god to ratify their imprecations. The excitement occasioned by wine in scenes of mirth and banqueting naturally prepares men for murders, treason, and every evil work. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And they went out into the fields [which till Gaal came they durst not do, through fear of Abimelech, whose anger they had provoked (ver. 27)], and gathered their vineyards, and trode (the grapes), and made merry [hillulim, rather “they made praise-offerings,” i.e., thank-offerings accompanied with praise-songs. The offerings consisted of the fruits which orchards and newly planted vineyards bore in the fourth year: thereby the vineyard was sanctified to Jehovah (margin, Lev. 19:24), in Hebrew the same word as here, ‘praise-offerings.’ The Shechemites transferred them to Baal-berith their idol!], and went into the house of their god [how righteous the retribution, that as out of the house of Baal-berith came the instrument of sin, so from it should come the judgment on the sin (ver. 4, 5)], and did eat and drink [drunkenness preparing men for all violence], and cursed Abimelech [renouncing allegiance with reviling insults, in violation of (Exod. 22:28 end: compare ver. 28; 2 Sam. 19:21; Isa. 8:21). Gaal saw now his opportunity of inciting them to open rebellion, and of being made their leader]. Judges 9:28 Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is Zebul not his lieutenant? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? Who is Abimelech: 1Sa 25:10 2Sa 20:1 1Ki 12:16 Hamor: Ge 34:2,6 Judges 9 Resources RABBLE ROUSER STIRS UP THE SHECHEMITES Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him: This rabble rouser Gaal appealed to the people to restore the ancient Shechemite aristocracy, hinting that he himself would be a good man to lead them! Taking advantage of Abimelech’s absence, Gaal challenged the people to remember the parentage of Abimelech through his father Jerubbaal, rather than referring to his mother, the Shechemite. All of this took place in the temple of Baal-berith, Pulpit Commentary has a helpful note - The meaning of these words, though somewhat obscure at first, becomes plain if we compare the two similar passages, 1Sa 25:10; 1Ki 12:16. In the first we have the contemptuous question, "Who is David?" and in the second the analogous one, "What portion have we in David?" but in both we have the same person described by different terms: "Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse?" and, "What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse." Here, therefore, it is clear that Shechem is merely another name for Abimelech; and it is easy to see why. Abimelech's mother was a Canaanite bond-woman, a Shechemite; and the plea for making Abimelech king was, "for he is our brother" (vers. 2, 3). Shechem, or the son of Shechem, was therefore a natural description of Abimelech. Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is Zebul not his lieutenant? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him: NLT = "Serve the men of Hamor, who are Shechem's true descendants. Why should we serve Abimelech?" This would mean turning from Israelite rule to Canaanite rule. In other words Gaal is urging the people to reject the "modern" rule by Abimelech and revive the ancient Shechemite aristocracy. Zebul means "high" or "exalted" thus Robert Boling nicknames him "Big Shot." Pulpit Commentary on Jerubbaal - he is not a real Shechemite; he is the son of Jerubbaal; and what right has he to reign over you Shechemites? And why should Zebul lord it over you? He is only Abimelech's officer. Fling off the yoke of the Abiezrite stranger, and set up a real Canaanite government from the old race of Hamor, the true founder and head of Shechem (cf. Chr 2:50-52). Daniel Block: Like Abimelech’s speech in v. 2, Gaal skillfully plays the ethnicity card (APPEALING TO ABIMELECH'S DEFECTIVE BLOOD LINE) in gaining the support of the lords of Shechem. If blood is the issue, then let it be kept pure, and let the kingship be brought home. Abimelech may claim kinship with the Shechemites through his mother, but his identity and nationality are determined by his father, Jerubbaal. Therefore, let the yoke of this foreigner be cast off. (Borrow Judges, Ruth. Vol. 6: New American Commentary ) George Bush - Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem? That is, the Shechemites. Compare them together, put this base-born, worthless usurper by the side of us native Shechemites, and what reason can be assigned for our subjection to him. Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? Spoken by way of disparagement and contempt, as if despising his memory and prompted by an indignant recollection of the act on which his name was founded, viz. his throwing down the altar of Baal. Thus do men of turbulent and ambitious spirits ‘despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities,’ and thus are the most valuable services of the best of men requited by the vile and worthless. And Zebul his officer? Heb. פקידו pekido, his overseer; probably made governor of Shechem by Abimelech in his absence. Are you so mean-spirited and cowardly that you not only submit to the tyrant himself, but suffer his very servants to lord it over you, and particularly this contemptible Zebul? Serve the men of Hamor. The descendants of Hamor. Hamor means donkey. If you want to be in subjection, call someone to authority who is descended from the ancient legitimate stock of Shechem, instead of this ignoble alien despot. This is a virtual challenge to them to fix their choice upon himself, as deriving his origin from this source. The father of Shechem. The father or founder of the city and the race of the Shechemites; the name of an individual standing for the whole people. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who (is) Abimelech [compare 1 Sam. 25:10], and who (is) Shechem [the ‘who,’ Heb., mi, must refer to persons, not things. Who are the Shechemites, as represented by Abimelech’s “officer Zebul,” that we should serve them? (The LXX. paraphrase “the son of Shechem,” or the view which takes ‘Shechem’ for Abimelech, as an arbitrary assumption. Gaal explains himself; for “the son of Jerubbaal” explains “Who is Abimelech?” “Zebul his officer” explains “Who is Shechem?” Gaal here does not speak of the Shechemites in general, with whose ancient line he rather would identify himself, but of a petty section, the ‘shechem’ whom Zebul represented] that we should serve him? (Is) not (he) the son of Jerubbaal? [Gaal uses this name rather than ‘Gideon,’ to stigmatise him as overthrower of the altar of Baal their god, for which act the Shechemites themselves had tried to slay him (ch. 6:30, 31)]? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father [in paternal kindness as well as by natural generation] of Shechem [Gen. 33:19, 34:2; Josh. 24:32. Serve the patricians of the city, who are sprung from the ancient stock of Hamor, instead of serving the one man, Zebul, Abimelech’s officer, representing but a petty section of Shechem. Abimelech was but half a Shechemite, viz., on his mother’s side (ver. 18, 8:32); from her he took his Canaanite name (Gen. 26:1). But on his father’s side he was an Israelite. Remnants of the Hivites or Canaanites had survived the destruction by Israel, and revived the worship of Baal. Possibly the term Baale, applied to “the men of Shechem,” may hint the same fact (note ver. 7)]: for why should we serve him? Judges 9:29 "Would, therefore, that this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech." And he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army, and come out." Would, therefore, that this people were under my authority: The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue. 2Sa 15:4 1Ki 20:11 Ps 10:3 Ro 1:30,31 And he said: Rather, "and I would say to Abimelech," as the LXX. renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him. Increase your army: 2Sa 2:14-17 2Ki 14:8 18:23 Isa 36:8,9 Judges 9 Resources GAAL THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET Would, therefore, that this people were under my authority (lit "in my hand")! Then I would remove Abimelech.": NET = "If only these men were under my command, I would get rid of Abimelech!" Pulpit Commentary - "If you will only trust me as your leader, I will soon remove Abimelech, and then you can have a national government." It seems that the people at once closed with his offer, and, thus emboldened, he sent a challenge to Abimelech to come out and fight him. Bush says "Then would I remove Abimelech means "would speedily remove, dispatch, or make way with; an emphatic expression, implying more in Hebrew than in English." NET Note - If only these men were under my command. One might assume from v. 26b that the men were already at his disposal, but perhaps that was not one of the terms of the agreement. Another possibility is that v. 26 is a general summary statement, with vv. 27–29 then detailing how the alliance with Gaal came about. And he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army, and come out"- NET = "Muster your army and come out for battle!" Gaal taunts Abimelech (having already cursed him in Jdg 9:27 by telling him to INCREASE HIS ARMY NUMERICALLY, implying my army can handle anything you bring against us. Note that Gaal was living in Shechem (see map) while Abimelech was living in Arumah (Jdg 9:41 - see map about 5 miles from Shechem), which may have been a sore point with the Shechemites who would have desired to be the site of the "king's" residence. The people could tell Gaal their problems, and he could give them the help they needed. Years later, Absalom would use this same approach and steal the hearts of Israel (2Sa 15:1-4,56). George Bush - Would to God this people were under my hand! An exclamation disclosing the hidden source which usually prompts the complaints of artful demagogues against the existing order of things, and their large professions of concern for the public welfare; though seldom so frankly declared as in the present instance. His words clearly evince that his real object was not so much to recover the liberties of his countrymen, as to persuade them to a change of rulers. It is not easy to set bounds to the mischief that may be effected by an artful leader working upon the minds of an inflamed populace. He said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, &c. As we have no evidence that Abimelech was within hearing of these words, the probability is, that being heated with wine and puffed up with arrogance, Gaal addresses and defies him, in this bravado style, as though actually present. Yet it may be that he sent word by some of Abimelech’s friends to their master, that he was willing to dispute the point with him, allowing him at the same time every advantage on the score of numbers which he could desire. Let him gather all his allies, and do his worst, still he would find the son of Ebed more than a match for him. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And would to God this people were under my hand [my rule; the usual style of pretenders to rule (2 Sam. 15:4)]! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out [he challenges Abimelech through Zebul, and defies him]. (30) And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. Judges 9:30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned. Judges 9 Resources ZEBUL REACTS TO GAAL'S TAUNTS And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed - Abimelech evidently had appointed Zebul as governor of Shechem while he personally dwelt at Arumah (Jdg 9:41) His anger burned - Literally Zebul's "nose became hot." Bush adds "His anger was kindled. However he might have felt for his master’s honor, it was scarcely to be expected that he should pass by the insult cast upon himself. It would seem, v. 36, that from motives of policy he had hitherto temporized with the disaffected party at Shechem, but he now becomes decided, though he is still restrained from open measures against the insurgents. (Judges 9 Commentary) Guzik - Zebul, the “city manager” on behalf of Abimelech, told Abimelech all about Gaal and this rebellion. Zebul advised Abimelech to come and attack the city. Paul Apple - Jdg 9:30-33 - God is Always One Step Ahead – Superior Intelligence and Winning Strategy Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers to Abimelech deceitfully, saying, "Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are stirring up the city against you. they are stirring up the city against you: Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers, they were actually putting the place in a state of defence, intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them. Jdg 9:31 Judges 9 Resources ZEBUL WARNS ABIMELECH OF REBEL ACTIVITY And he sent messengers to Abimelech deceitfully, saying, "Behold (hinneh - LOOK!), Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are stirring up the city against you: Again we see Abimelech reaping the same evil he had sown. Zebul remained loyal to Abimelech; understood that Gaal had not been careful to make all the necessary preparations for warfare; if Abimelech could surprise him, he would stand a good chance of success Pulpit Commentary - Zebul, it appears, was governor of the city under Abimelech, and when the words of Gaal were reported to him, he privately sent off messengers to the king to tell him the state of affairs at Shechem, and urge him to come in person. Zebul meanwhile temporised, not being strong enough to resist Gaal openly. TECHNICAL NOTE - NET Note on deceitfully - The form בְּתָרְמָה (bétarmah) in the Hebrew text, which occurs only here, has traditionally been understood to mean “secretly” or “with deception.” If this is correct, it is derived from II רָמָה (ramah, “to deceive”). Some interpreters object, pointing out that this would imply Zebul was trying to deceive Abimelech, which is clearly not the case in this context. But this objection is unwarranted. If retained, the phrase would refer instead to deceptive measures used by Zebul to avoid the suspicion of Gaal when he dispatched the messengers from Shechem. The present translation ("He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah, reporting, "Beware! Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you." Jdg 9:31 NET)) assumes an emendation to “in Arumah” (בָּארוּמָה, ba’rumah), a site mentioned in v. 41 as the headquarters of Abimelech. Confusion of alef and tav in archaic Hebrew script, while uncommon, is certainly not unimaginable. NET NOTE on "brothers are coming." - The participle, as used here, suggests Gaal and his brothers are in the process of arriving, but the preceding verses imply they have already settled in. Perhaps Zebul uses understatement to avoid the appearance of negligence on his part. After all, if he made the situation sound too bad, Abimelech, when he was informed, might ask why he had allowed this rebellion to reach such a stage. NET NOTE on to rebel - The words “to rebel” are interpretive. The precise meaning of the Hebrew verb צוּר (tsur) is unclear here. It is best to take it in the sense of “to instigate; to incite; to provoke” (see Deut 2:9, 19 and R. G. Boling online - Judges The Anchor Bible, 178). George Bush - Sent messengers—privily. Heb. בתרמה betârmâh, craftily, in fraud. That is, the pretended object of his sending them did not correspond with his real object. His ‘givings out’ were far removed from his ‘true-meant designs.’ If he had discovered himself to be wholly for Abimelech, the men of the city might at once have risen against him and put him to death. He therefore goes warily to work to acquaint Abimelech with the enemy’s designs, and to put him in a way to revenge the insults cast upon them both. They fortify the city against thee. Heb. צרים tzarim, are besieging, from the root צור tzūr, to besiege, to press with siege, usually spoken of hostile operations carried on by invaders from without, and not without great violence applied to defensive measures adopted by those within a city. For this reason the expression, we suppose, is to be taken metaphorically for the influence exerted by Gaal and his party upon the minds of the citizens, in stirring up, exciting, augmenting the sedition that was spreading through the city. They were engaged in pressing, urging, instigating the citizens against Abimelech, and therefore it was important for him to make haste in advancing upon Shechem. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily [the Septuagint and Chaldee support the English version of the Hebrew Bethormah, “with deceit,” i.e., dissembling his sentiments before Gaal, the section of Shechemites who still adhered to Abimelech being too weak to oppose Gaal till Abimelech should come. But Kimchi translates “in Tormah,” i.e., Arumah, the name of the place where Abimelech resided (ver. 41)], saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his brethren, be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify [tzarim, from tzur: rather “stir up,” “excite”] the city against thee. Judges 9:32 "Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. arise by night: Job 24:14-17 Ps 36:4 Pr 1:11-16 4:16 Ro 3:15 Judges 9 Resources ZEBUL ADVISES ATTACK BY AMBUSH Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field (NET adds "outside the city"): Zebul advised Abimelech to come that night and set an ambush for the city, which would be inactive the next morning. Everything is done in the darkness; the tone of deceitfulness and treachery as opposed to truth and integrity dominates this narrative Judges 9:33 "And it shall come about in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, that you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to them whatever you can." NLT In the morning, as soon as it is daylight, storm the city. When Gaal and those who are with him come out against you, you can do with them as you wish." NIV In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do whatever your hand finds to do." you shall do to them whatever you can, Lev 25:26: 1Sa 10:7 25:8 Ec 9:10 Judges 9 Resources And it shall come about in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, that you shall rise early and rush upon the city - Bush comments "We doubt if this rendering gives the true force of the original, or the real policy of Abimelech. He does not seem to have designed, at least at present, to attack the city while Gaal was in it. He even abstained from this after he had overcome him in the open field, and when nothing that we can see prevented his pushing his conquest into the heart of Shechem, v. 40. But the true import of the word is to spread one’s self, to expand, and the phrase may be rendered, ‘spread thyself (thy forces) against or towards the city,’ i. e. with a view to lure out Gaal to an engagement in the open field." and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to them whatever you can - NET Note says Hebrew literally reads "“Look! He and the people who are with him will come out to you, and you will do to him what your hand finds [to do].” Cp. 1Sa 10:7, where the same phrase occurs. A R Fausset - And it shall be, (that) in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon [Heb., phashatta, “spread out” thy troops against] the city; and, behold, (when) [rather omit the when, which is not in the Hebrew] he and the people that (is) with him come out [will have gone out] against thee [or towards thee (eeleka). The scheme was that when Gaal should have gone forth from Shechem to begin the campaign against Abimelech, or else simply to protect the people in the field (ver. 27, 42), without a suspicion that the latter was so near, and when he was coming ‘towards’ Abimelech who lay in wait, Abimelech should get between Gaal and the city, and take it by surprise], then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion [Heb., “as thine hand shall find,” i.e., as the occasion shall require]. Judges 9:34 So Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. Judges 9 Resources Paul Apple entitles Judges 9:34-41 "Arrogance and Boasting Crushed in the End" So - Term of conclusion. Ambilech agrees with Zebul and follows his advice to launch a surprise attack (by night). Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies - NLT = "So Abimelech and his men went by night and split into four groups, stationing themselves around Shechem." This describes the first of 3 phases of Abimelech's bloody revenge against Gaal, Shechem Aand the leaders of Shechem. George Bush - Abimelech rose up. Addressed himself to the matter before him, entered upon the business in hand. See on Josh. 1:2. Laid wait. Probably in some of the mountains in the immediate vicinity, as is to be inferred from v. 36. In four companies. Heb. ארבעח ראשים arbââh râshim, in four heads; a term applied to the general divisions of anything. (Judges 9 Commentary) A R Fausset - And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that (were) [i.e., the troops that he had] with him by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies [Heb., ‘heads’]. Judges 9:35 Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate; and Abimelech and the people who were with him arose from the ambush. NLT - Gaal was standing at the city gates when Abimelech and his army came out of hiding. NIV - Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance to the city gate just as Abimelech and his soldiers came out from their hiding place. Judges 9 Resources GAAL AMBUSHED Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate - Bush - Gaal went out probably not alone, but at the head of his forces, either to lead them forth upon some short excursion about the city, or to be prepared for whatever assault might be meditated against him. (Judges 9 Commentary)