And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told 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 he took the people,.... That is, the forces he had with him at Arumah: and divided them into three companies: each having a separate leader, and the command of one of them he had himself: and laid wait in the field; in the field of Shechem, one company in one part, and one in another part of the field: and looked, and, behold, 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