And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
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
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him,.... Abimelech got the better of him in the battle, and obliged him to give way, and he pursued him closely as he was fleeing: and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate; or, "they fell many wounded" (k), or slain, as the Targum; that is, many were killed and wounded, as...
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