"And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. It is at least certain that the whole business was heinously evil, and none the less because Micah settles down with the persuasion, "Now know I that Jehovah will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest" (ver. We shall find too that Samson's feats of power, great as they were, in no way broke the neck of Philistine oppression. Still more is what follows; for God fails not to deal with us on our own ground. But we are sanctified by the Spirit unto the obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, and are called to obey, as the wife her husband. You'd never come up for sure.Well now there was this woman in the tower and she had a piece of a millstone. And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. I feel pretty assured that he saw clearer morally without them than he had seen in any sense with them. It is generally recognized as the first parable in the Bible. They had no faith in the promise on God's part to Abraham or to his seed. 3. Joshua 8; Joshua 24). If his only desire is to destroy those who disagree, then he is much like the bramble plenty of good points, but no real substance for good. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. in the use of names, Jerubbaal is used throughout for Gideon, and Yahweh is referred to only by the generic Elohim. He could not in their then condition employ vessels of greater moral worth. Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. It is well sometimes for all those who teach that they should be obliged to learn; well that they should be forced to feel that they do not know; an excellent moral lesson that they should confess it not only be conscious of it, but own it; for indeed the necessary claim of scripture is that it be confided in as the word of God, though it does not thence follow that we are competent to explain all. Judges 9:8-15 : Trees Choosing a King - New Christian Bible Study They had sought peace, and Sihon would have war. He could, if he had reflected, hardly expect an ox or a sheep to walk out of the house. You come and reign over us! Now it was perfectly lawful for the children of Israel to treat them as intruders and strangers, who had no rightful claim, no valid plea why they should be restored. And this is the great point for us that we can and ought to count on. And its sound just really carries over there. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably." They need not be at the trouble. . Abimelechs mother, though only a maidservant to Gideon, was from Shechem. [Note: Idem, Judges . The contrast between the Israelites commitments in Joshua 8, 24 and this passage must be one reason the writer included Abimelechs story in Judges. Then Abimelech the Son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem: Abimelech was the son of Jerubbaal (another name for Gideon given in Judges 8:35), but he was not the clear successor to his fathers place of leadership. "And so they came to the bramble and said, "Come rule over us." The bramble was too low to give shelter to any tree; and so far from being able to consume others, that the smallest fire will reduce it to ashes, and that in the shortest time. He didnt believe that 68 of his brothers were murdered for the sake of truth and sincerity. 23. b. The king of the Ammonites did not speak candidly. 5 Samson went down to Timnah. And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows who followed him. . When a suitable occasion arose and Abimelech was in another town, a group of Shechemites plotted to overthrow him. Judges 9:7-21 . WebJudges 9:15 Commentaries: "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 ANSWER is: "Practice makes Perfect!" Enduring Word Bible Commentary Judges Chapter 9 One test of the character of a man is to see how he treats those who disagree with him. 13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Judges 9 The ruin of Christianity was when two systems so distinct got confounded. But the olive tree said to them, And go to sway over trees? When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the How unlike to the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, which a good magistrate is compared to! We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. i. His secret was to keep his hair uncut, with all strength annexed to it. Invariably, when you listen to the written word of God, range yourself on His side. says Jephthah, "Jehovah God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?" It was his daughter and I do not doubt that he, in his determined unbending spirit, fulfilled his vow. Abimelech was more like a tyrant than a king. (Wolf), ii. 1 - 6. WebJudges 9:8. gat them up to the top of the tower--The Canaanite forts were generally mountain fastnesses or keeps, and they often had a strong tower which served as a last refuge. What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. Jehovah at least was could not but be true to the secret. It is not the vanity of setting up oneself as possessed of exclusive powers or special means of attaining or explaining anything; for I should distrust anyone who pretended to anything of the sort, no matter who or where he might be. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Often God finds a way to do it both in this life and the life to come. Peter - A watchman of His Word. A work begun under the name and influence of the devil is not likely to end to the glory of God, or to the welfare of man. (Clarke). They said to the olive tree, Be our king. 9 But the olive tree answered, b. Samson was afterwards about to put a riddle to the Philistines from this lion. It matters not what is the apparent good that is to be gained, or what may be the mischief that is to be avoided: the only place that becomes a believer is obedience. They are not allowed to enter on campaigns out of their own head. "And in those days the tribe of the Danites." Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem--The idolatry which had been stealthily Let none expect to do ill and fare well. There was then "a man of mount Ephraim whose name was Micah," who, not satisfied with carrying out the impiety of his mother in making a graven and a molten image of silver dedicated to Jehovah, for this purpose gets a Levite to be consecrated as his priest. The olives are among the most beautiful trees that grow in the Holy Land. Thus, after having made all their arrangements, "the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first?" The prophecy of Jotham was not to be immediately fulfilled. Ceremony is easy and attractive to the flesh, and there may be the more, as there usually is, where there is least power or reality. We have seen the political confusion: here is the religious aspect of Israel so soon after entering the holy land! If, therefore, they took him for their king, they might rest assured that desolation and blood would mark the whole of his reign. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.". That government involves a man in a great deal both of toil and care; he that is promoted over the trees must go up and down for them, and make himself a perfect drudge to business. b. If this be submitted to (and you might more consistently reject the Bible altogether, if you do not submit), one sees the hollowness and falsehood of sitting in judgment upon it: for who can question that to doubt that which comes directly from God Himself would be to take the place, not merely of an unbeliever, but of a blasphemer or an atheist? Is it they who say to Samson, "Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us?" Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith. So he "sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land? But all of the other sons of Gideon were killed. The woman then tells her husband of the angel's visit, and they both entreat Jehovah, Manoah particularly, that the man of God might be sent again. 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. They took it quietly, and passed along their way. is this the tribe for the praise of Jehovah? Before Abimelechs sole surviving brother went into hiding, he uttered a protest against Abimelech that predicted the effect of his rule. Of all the deliverers that grace ever raised up, there was not one who for personal prowess was to be compared with Samson; but of all those, where was the man who fell so habitually below even that which would have disgraced an ordinary Israelite? And this is just as true of the saint as of the man who rashly or lightly bears the name of the Lord Jesus. This is an important principle. And as I say, from the top of Gerizim you've got a good lead on anybody that might want to chase you. God does not permit Israel, because this one or that is an enemy, to take the place of enemies to them. 50. But that which does good to every saint and to every soul is the unqualified confidence in God and His word, which, if it does not reproduce itself in hearts purified by faith, at least deals with the consciences of all others till utterly blinded by Satan. So Abimelech and all the people who were with him rose by night, and lay in wait: Abimelech agreed with and followed the plan suggested by Zebul. You that go with me this year, I'll prove it to you, but the acoustics are tremendous. Judges 9:8 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. 6. all the men of Shechem . I need not dwell on the deplorable details. In judgment He must have righteousness; but He remembers mercy. If you have the correct spirit (i.e. And be assured that if the people of God fail in their responsibility to God, they are not to be trusted elsewhere. "If your conduct towards the house of Gideon be such as can be justified at any bar of justice, honour, or conscience, much good may it do you with your new king." But if God's people have got into subjection to the world, none are so heartless about, if not bitter against, him who breaks fully with the enemy. They only injured those who got too close to them. Not till they desired a king like the nations. Samson was just as self-willed as he was strong. And in Thebez there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women, fled to the tower there in Thebez. Ophrah, and slew his brethren--This is the first mention of a barbarous atrocity which has, with appalling frequency, been perpetrated in the despotic countries of the East--that of one son of the deceased monarch usurping the throne and hastening to confirm himself in the possession by the massacre of all the natural or legitimate competitors. Then Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city; and the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and killed them. Nevertheless, I have little doubt that, though the dying hour of Samson brought more honour to God than all his life, its manner was in itself a chastening in its character; and in this, too, may one discern a representation of the condition to which Israel had come similar to what was noticed in the life and person of Samson. We can all understand righteousness where the ground is clearly sanctioned of God; but is it not also strengthening to our hearts to find that, even where all was dark and faulty, God knows how to give effect to His principles? If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. and how He magnified Himself in that hour of supreme chagrin and of his deep agony, when he was made to sport before those uncircumcised haters of Israel, and the witness, as they fondly hoped, of their idol's triumph over Jehovah. Only Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, who by a special providence escaped the common ruin of his family (Judges 9:5; Judges 9:5), dealt plainly with the Shechemites, and his speech, which is here recorded, shows him to have been a man of such great ingenuity and wisdom, and really such an accomplished gentleman, that we cannot but the more lament the fall of Gideon's sons. But alas! The man thus went forth in the confidence of his strength, and to outward appearance did things just to make the enemy feel what he could do, with as little exercise toward God as could well be found in one that feared Him. ABIMELECH IS MADE KING BY THE SHECHEMITES. (2.) There was, there could be, none any longer as Israel was. But his father and his mother knew not that it was of Jehovah, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines.". And the fig tree said unto them, "Should I forsake my sweetness, my good fruit? If you google The Church of Christ it will tell you of one near you. Joatham . be consumed; Psalm 58:9, Or ever your pots be made hot with thorns; Ecclesiastes 7:6, the crackling of thorns under a pot.. This certainly stimulated him though I am far from insinuating no better underneath. They had not done to him according to the deserving of his hands,Judges 9:16; Judges 9:16. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and (Compare Psalms 78:60-61) Such are the prominent points of instruction in this appendix. Judges 9:8 Commentaries: "Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. (8) The trees went forth. Dear Searching (i.e. . (Psalm 61:3). Therein are involved thus the very highest and deepest privileges that God could communicate to the souls of men on earth. ., p. He who could imbrue his hands in the blood of his brethren in order to get into power, was not likely to stop at any means to retain that power when possessed. The writer of Judges used an interesting word to say that Abimelech had reigned over Israel. Gaal probably was not prepared for a siege; so he had little choice but to leave the city walls behind and confront Abimelech out in the open. (Wolf). I doubt that any believer, without inspiration, would have felt it desirable to write that verse, and many more, as God has done it. We know that men make it a question for ingenious minds to speculate on. 1. Judges 9 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. Here God had to rebuke the people, even when morally right in the main, until the wrong their state and haste mixed up with it was purged out. . Therefore is it explained with great care. Men then, as now, feel not for a lie or a libel of God; they are sensitive when their own rights are touched. 2 Samuel 17:18-21). 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. 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. Their moral condition indeed was the very lowest, below nature itself, towards their deliverer. Gideon had left many sons that were an honour to his name and family, and these they had barbarously murdered; one son he had left that was the blemish of his name and family, for he was the son of his maid-servant, whom all that had any respect to Gideon's honour would endeavour to conceal, yet him they made their king. Should I cease giving my oil, Could, at the beck of the Philistine, there be found at once three thousand men so willing and prompt to betray the champion of Israel? Really he said, "Put a millstone on her neck, throw him in the sea." Now when Jotham heard that they had made Abimelech king, he went to the top of mount Gerizim ( Judges 9:5-7 ). From the answer of the olive tree we learn that usefulness is better than honour. "And it came to pass when their hearts were merry that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and sincerity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him as he deserves; for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian; but you have risen up against my fathers house this day, and killed his seventy sons on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother; if then you have acted in truth and sincerity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves." "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines, and he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife" (Judges 14:1-20). Never was there failure of divine power with Samson against the foe; but moreover the pitifulness of Jehovah is marked towards His poor servant (for did He disdain when the thirsty man called on Himself, as he cried to God in his distress?). unknown) Pilgrim - You ask "HOW one comes to know the words of God to the fullest?" I don't want them, I don't want them to say a woman killed me." We need 2 cookies to store this setting. This shows the problem of following a man who comes to power through violence. how the very thought of Jehovah's name seems lost at this time among the children of Israel. Eastern people are exceedingly fond of parables and use them for conveying reproofs, which they could not give in any other way. The lands might be good pasture, the temptation great, the provocation given by Moab or Ammon very considerable. We have here the only testimony that appears to have been borne against the wicked confederacy of Abimelech and the men of Shechem.
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