(Judges 12:1-15) Jephthah might little desire such a conflict; nevertheless, where do we see meekness, where patience? Undoubtedly the children of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, for reasons of relationship at least, were exempted from the sentence to which God subjected the races of Canaan. We see a man, not without faith indeed (Hebrews 11:32), though his confidence was largely in the strength with which God had invested him, rather than in Him who would yet prove Himself the sole source of it; a man who was roused by personal affront and desire of vengeance, not by a solemn duty; a man who slowly and weakly wakes up to any sense of his mission, who is ever too ready to sink down again into the lowest indulgence of fallen nature among the enemy. "Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon." After the death of Gideon, this Abimelech who was the son of his concubine in Shechem. There was at this time, as at every other, ample space for occupying here and there; and if the reason why they did not move was because they cared not for the word of God, they must take the consequences of their unbelief. God's Word is the Truth see John 17:17). 2 Samuel 11:21). (Wolf), ii. Samson stands alone; of Israel none with him, as with the others before him. You think of Jesus speaking to a crowd of ten thousand people and they're all able to hear Him and that's without amplifying systems. Chapter 9Now here's what happened. It was known, but intended to be so; but for all that the children of Israel, as Jephthah showed, would not go against the word of God. (3.) So his father went down unto the women: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do." WebThe Book of Judges Chapter 9 Chapter Overview: Abimelech usurps the government at Shechem, ver. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). The first and gravest departure is that Jehovah could be so forgotten and so shamelessly dishonoured as to set up in His name a rival; and the more seriously it was set about, so much the worse. (Judges 11:1-40). God might be said to be "cheered" by it, when the sacrifices were accepted, as He is said also to be honored by oil ( Judges 9:9 ). Contrariwise it was courted and continued down to the captivity. The great point of the preface is that "in those days there was no king in Israel" the opening words of Judges 18:1-31. He permitted that there should be no confidence in the peaceable intentions of Israel, for the very purpose of putting them in possession of the land. Then, after many years of study people will be following you wanting what you have and you can share your secret with them. As long as the world is under the usurped rule of the enemy of God, the path of obedience must always be one of suffering, and this, I may add, increasingly, as we see in Him. And a certain woman took a piece of a millstone ( Judges 9:50-53 ), Now millstones are sort of lava kinds of rock and there are millstones-I've seen them four feet high. Verse Judges 9:15. With a little exertion of voice, he could easily have been heard by the people of the city; for the hill so overhangs the valley, that a person from the side or summit would have no difficulty in speaking to listeners at the base. III. It is generally recognized as the first parable in the Bible. But returning from this to the simple tale of Samson's life, I take it as the plain fact that God meant us to learn that He saw fit at that time to deliver by an unworthy instrument, by a man who showed how low he was, if only by the moral incongruity of an Israelitish Nazarite seeking a wife from the fiercest of Israel's uncircumcised enemies. He supposes the trees to make their court to him: Come thou and reign over us, perhaps because he knew not that the first motion of Abimelech's preferment came from himself (as we found, Judges 9:2; Judges 9:2), but thought the Shechemites had proposed it to him; however, supposing it so, his folly in accepting it deserved to be chastised. i. Beth Millo: The word millo derives from a verb meaning to be filled, and originally referred to a rampart or earthwork; but its association with fortifications may have developed into a reference to fortresses generally. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. communed . Never then let the breath of suspicion enter your soul. The top of Gerizim is not so high in the rear of the town, as it is nearer to the plain. Thus Christ triumphed over the powers of darkness that shouted against him, as if they had him in their power. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. 7. he stood in the top of mount Gerizim and lifted up his voiceThe spot he chose was, like the housetops, the public place of Shechem; and the parable [Jud 9:8-15] drawn from the rivalry of the various trees was appropriate to the diversified foliage of the valley below. b. On human grounds there might be a just right of conquest; but all this would not do for God, who must decide everything even in the battles of His people. Absolutely immaculate Himself, He was made sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness in Him who for us by death annulled him that had the power of death, and gave us out of that defeat our unfailing comfort. WebScripture: Judges 9:8-15 Denomination: Baptist Abimelech: Whos In Charge Series Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 25, 2009 based on 4 ratings | 8,646 views ABIMELECH TYPIFIES THE PURSUIT OF OUR WAY RATHER THAN GODS WAY. 2. When they had it in their thoughts to choose a king they did not offer the government to the stately cedar, or the lofty pine, which are only for show and shade, and not otherwise useful till they are cut down, but to the fruit-trees, the vine and the olive. But there is one thing that God's Spirit always assumes the perfect goodness and the unswerving holiness of God. Be it remarked, that what drew out their unanimous condemnation was not an outrage done to God's name. And so they'd have their stone ground wheat by these millstones. "It was of Jehovah, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. rejoice in Abimelech: But if not, then let fire come forth from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and the fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech ( Judges 9:19-20 ). i. Abimelechs mother, though only a maidservant to Gideon, was from Shechem. They had not done to him according to the deserving of his hands,Judges 9:16; Judges 9:16. Yahweh is perfect, honest) stood on the same mountain where six of Israels tribes had declared the blessings of abiding by the Law of Yahweh and denounced the Shechemites for their foolish and wicked actions. Bad as were the features we have seen, we have to see even worse still; yet he was heard and answered when he called. [2.] The object of the king of Ammon was to put the children of Israel in the wrong. ". Resent it? i. My object being no more than a sketch, as most of you know, I desire to say but a few words on such of the chapters as bear a similar character to that which has been already pointed out in the early portion of the book. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people that were therein, and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. And if unbelief be probed home, it comes to this: it is a virtual denial of God's veracity, of His revelation, if not of His being. If Ammon could or would not seek to recover it previously, they had no title to claim now from Israel. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . In all ordinary cases a Nazarite was one who had taken a peculiar vow of separation to God, but lasting only for a short time. Web8 From there he went up to Peniel[ a] and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had. And so the men of Shechem began to set an ambush for him and the top of the mountains, or for the people, and they robbed all of those that were going along that way and it was told to Abimelech.And then this guy Gaal, sort of a big mouth kind of a guy, said to the men, he came with his brothers and he went over to Shechem. But commentators observe it for a just hand of God upon Abimelech, that upon one stone he had slain his seventy brethren, and now a stone slayeth him: his head had stolen the crown of Israel, and now his head is smitten. (Trapp). is not this the people that you have despised? "And it came to pass when their hearts were merry that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. "And the Spirit of Jehovah" to some minds a marvellous fact under the circumstances "came mightily upon him." made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar--rather, "by the oak near a raised mound"--so that the ceremony of coronation might be conspicuous to a crowd. The condensed moral of the whole fable is this: Weak, worthless, and wicked men, will ever be foremost to thrust themselves into power; and, in the end, to bring ruin upon themselves, and on the unhappy people over whom they preside. (Clarke). "Whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be Jehovah's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering." And Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it and laid it on his shoulder; then he said to the people who were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done. So each of the people likewise cut down his own bough and followed Abimelech, put them against the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire above them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women. The king of the Ammonites did not speak candidly. I am far from doubting that God wrought in him whom He had made the champion of His people. He was crucified in weakness, but rose in the power of God; but there, instead of folly, instead of shame, instead of unhallowed alliance with the enemies of God, how does unsullied perfection shine in Him of whom we boast! And Samson called unto Jehovah, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Where was the just horror at the idolatry of Micah? "Now gentle Jesus meek and mild, look upon this little child." So Abimelech chased him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even to the entering of the gate. The way of instruction by parables is an ancient way, and very useful, especially to give reproofs by. So, Jotham got away from them. ii. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Is it not evident that Samson feebly knew what God was teaching him by the lion which he slew, and by the lion's carcase which he found with the honey in it? especially to posterity, when the benefactor if forgotten, as Joseph was among the Egyptians. Undoubtedly there are many things in scripture of which we are ignorant; but then we are not entitled to interpret the word of God by ourselves. Let fire come out of the bramble.Some suppose that there is a reference to the ancient notions of the spontaneous ignition of the boughs of the bramble when rubbed together by the wind. Suffice it to say that even in such a state the immediate feeling of the common conscience in Israel (roused, it is true, by an awful appeal to the twelve tribes) could not but reply that "there was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds." Abimelech was more like a tyrant than a king. (Wolf), ii. Now it was that God wrought for His glory. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Ambitious of sovereign power, and having plied successfully the arts of a demagogue with his maternal relatives and friends, he acquired both the influence and money by which he raised himself to a throne. Still this became their relationship, yet the children of Israel have the answer from Jehovah, "Go up against him." He not only turned with the grossest insults on their speech, but fell on themselves, and slew at the passage of Jordan forty and two thousand men of one of the chief tribes of Israel. He made this speech from the top of Mount Gerizim, the mountain from which Israel heard the blessings of God pronounced upon the obedient (Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:12; Joshua 8:33) about 150 years before. Indeed, Shechem was not rebuilt until the reign of Jeroboam I, almost two centuries later (1 Kings 12:25). (Wolf). To anoint a king over them.Evidently the thought of royalty was, so to speak, in the air. It is interesting to find from this passing allusion that the custom of anointing a king must have prevailed among the neighbouring nations. "Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man.". And it shall be, as soon as the sun is up in the morning, that you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may then do to them as you find opportunity.. They said to the olive tree, Be our king. 9 But the olive tree answered, Changes will take effect once you reload the page. The last chapter of the book shows us the ways and means in which their hearts were drawn out, in order to repair the dismal gap which divine judgment had wrought in Benjamin, and indeed in Israel. Jotham gave a curse against the people of Shechem and Abimelech, because they chose Abimelech, as the new Judge or King. We have had the power of God acting in deliverance, but man alone is incapable even of a safe vow to Jehovah; and who could fail to foresee the bitter fruit of rashness here? This, at least, was right. It was flying in the face of His law and word to have an idol; it was adding profane insult to enter on its worship with such ceremony as to get a Levite consecrated priest in order to invest it with solemnity. 22. You've been saying who's Abimelech? But the time came when God would act upon that promise, and when those that disputed the title of God must pay the penalty. But God takes means to make them feel what such a state comes to. Joatham . Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him." TO ANOINT A KING, i.e. Not as if He could not care for His own; but our strength, comfort, and blessing are in His name. yet did he propose a most instructive riddle, which set forth justly the then condition of the people of God. Nor was this the only intervention of the Lord, but personal succour follows at His hand. Abimelech, one of Gideon's numerous sons, was connected with that place. Samson felt it easier to die for His name than to live thus in Philistia. If some of these had taken away lands that belonged to the Ammonites, it was open and perfectly lawful in this case for Israel to put these intruders out of the land, and to take possession of whatever was their spoil. Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it. Abimelech was the bramble; and the ceders of Lebanon, all the nobles and people of Israel. This was an ungodly leader given to an ungodly people, who first rejected Gods leadership over the nation and then embraced a cruel and brutal man. ABIMELECH IS MADE KING BY THE SHECHEMITES. Now when Jotham heard that they had made Abimelech king, he went to the top of mount Gerizim ( Judges 9:5-7 ). Proud member And Jehovah said, Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into thine hand." Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem--The idolatry which had been stealthily