When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
Three years Abimelech wore the crown without service to the country, and the people were foolish enough to love him for it. But the triumph of the wicked is brief as a hireling's year. God sent discord between him and Shechem, they grew jealous, he slighted them, and mutual hatred did the rest. Their own lusts were evil spirits; God gave them up to these, and so the blood of Gideon's sons came upon them both.
AI summary
Commenting on Judges 9:22-49
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel. The people in general consenting to what the men of Shechem had done, at least not opposing it, all being desirous of a king, and therefore put up with a mean person, rather than have none; though it is amazing they should, and that they had not rose up as one man against Abimelech, and avenged the...
His despotism spread by creeping encroachment from Shechem outward to neighboring towns. True reign in Israel comes only from God; what Abimelech claimed was mere usurped tyranny, not the mild and divinely authorized rule of a judge, the very word for his reign marks it as despotism, not governance.
AI summary
Commenting on Judges 9:22-49