Judges 9:26-41
Summary for Judg 9:26-41: 9:26-41 a Gaal son of Ebed (“vile son of a slave”) led an unsuccessful rebellion against Abimelech in which many of Shechem’s citizens were killed. This partially fulfilled Jotham’s curse (9:20 b).Summary for Judg 9:27-29: 9:27-29 c Disillusionment with Abimelech, social unrest, and lots of wine and loose talk made it easy for Gaal to gain initial acceptance.
9:28 d Who is Abimelech? ... He’s not a true son of Shechem: Gaal focused on Abimelech’s pedigree through his father, Gideon (a non-Shechemite), rather than through his mother (8:31 e; 9:2 f).
• Serve the true sons of Hamor: Gaal’s pedigree apparently went back to Hamor, the founder of Shechem (Gen 33:18–34:31 g).
Summary for Judg 9:30-41: 9:30-41 h The second plot, like the first (9:22-25 i), was foiled by an informer, in this case probably an official appointed by the absent Abimelech. Zebul proposed a bold morning ambush, in which he would presumably help to draw Gaal and his followers out into the open country where they could be engaged. The plan worked. Perhaps because of his boasting and possibly in response to Zebul’s mocking challenge, Gaal and his men ventured out only to be driven from town by the faithful Zebul, the agent for cleansing the city.
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