Judg 9:1-20, 2Sa 15:2-6, Psa 55:21, Dan 11:32, 34 | TSK | STEP | Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brethren, is made king. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him. Zebul reveals it. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt. He burns the hold of the god Berith. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone. Jotham's curse if fulfilled. Abimelech. Shechem. communed.

vain, etc.{Anashim raikim oophochozim,} "worthless and dissolute men;" persons who were living on the public, and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such unprincipled men most revolutions are brought about.

11:3; 1Sa 22:2; 2Ch 13:7; Job 30:8; Pr 12:11; Ac 17:5

at Ophrah.

6:24

slew.

2Ki 10:17; 11:1,2; 2Ch 21:4; Mt 2:16,20

the house.

2Sa 5:9; 2Ki 12:20

Millo.Probably the name of a person of note in Shechem.

plain. or, oak.

Jos 24:26; 1Ki 12:1,20,25

mount Gerizim.

De 11:29; 27:12; Jos 8:33; Joh 4:20

Hearken.

Ps 18:40,41; 50:15-21; Pr 1:28,29; 21:13; 28:9; Isa 1:15; 58:6-10

Mt 18:26-34; Jas 2:13

The trees.This is the most ancient fable or apologue extant; and is extremely beautiful, apposite, and intelligible.

2Ki 14:9; Eze 17:3-10; Da 4:10-18

olive tree.The {zayith,} or olive tree, in the Linnean system, is a genus of the {diandra monogynia} class of plants. It is of a moderate height, and grows best in sunny places. Its trunk is knotty; bark smooth, of an ash colour: wood solid and yellowish; leaves oblong, almost like those of the willow, of a dark green colour on the upper side, and whitish below. In June it puts forth white flowers, growing in bunches, each of one piece, widening towards the top, and dividing into four parts. After this succeeds the fruit, which is oblong and plump; first green, then pale, and when quite ripe, black. Within it is enclosed a hard stone, filled with oblong seeds. It was the most useful of all trees in the forest; as the bramble was the meanest and most worthless.

Reign.

8:22,23

wherewith.

Ex 29:2,7; 35:14; Le 2:1; 1Ki 19:15,16; Ps 89:20; 104:15; Ac 4:27

Ac 10:38; 1Jo 2:20

God.{Elohim,} rather gods; the parable being adapted to the idolatrous Shechemites.

to be promoted over the trees. Heb. up and down for othertrees.

Job 1:7; 2:2

Lu 13:6,7

cheereth.

Nu 15:5,7,10; Ps 104:15; Pr 31:6; Ec 10:19

bramble. or, thistle.