V. 8-15. A parable, or fable, is a descriptive a concubine, (18) a mean and worthless person, picture, which shews the similitude of an event, useless and troublesome as a bramble, had by inor action in lively colors; and conveys to the mind sinuation induced them to offer him the kingdom, the perception of some important truth, to which and had without hesitation accepted it. He had it was previously inattentive, or against which it also foolishly promised them vast advantages from was prejudiced. By this management those things his protection, and terrible consequences from are placed in a proper light, which before were offending him: though indeed he was fit for nothing misapprehended, and those made evident which but to be a fire-brand, to set them all at variance before seemed doubtful; the subject is stripped of to their common destruction; as the bramble, being such circumstances as do not properly belong to set on fire, may communicate the flame to the it; the trouble of a long chain of arguments being loftiest cedars, and consume them along with itself spared, the cause is brought to a compendious in one common conflagration.-The oil, from the decision; reason and conscience are induced to olive-tree, was the chief ingredient in the ointpass sentence, before self-love is consulted; and a ment, with which the priests were anointed: it man is for a moment, as it were, imposed on, in was used for the lamps in the sanctuary; and it order to his being profitably undeceived; he is formed a part of the meat-offering, by which God made judge in his own cause before he is aware, was honored. (Marg. Ref. r.) The wine was used and decides against himself without ever intending in drink-offerings, which were acceptable to God it. (Note, 2 Sam. 12:1--6.) The truth of a parable when properly presented. These trees better lies in the instruction contained in it: and the represented what a king ought to be, than the feigned circumstances, being known to be such, stately cedars; for piety to God, and usefulness to are no ways inconsistent with veracity, but great-man, are more essential to the character of a good ly subserve the cause of truth; conveying it in an unsuspected and agreeable manner to the mind. Parables or fables have therefore been much used by wise men in all ages, as the most advantageous method of teaching mankind the salutary lessons of justice and prudence; and they were abundantI sanctioned by our Lord's own example.-In this parable of Jotham, the disinterested and unambitious conduct of Gideon and his other sons; the folly and ingratitude of the Shechemites, in making the basest of Gideon's sons their king, and in murdering the rest; the presumption and arrogance of Abimelech in aspiring to such an honor; and the consequences of so unreasonable a procedure; are represented with great ingenuity and simplicity. The olive-tree, the fig-tree, and the vine, had excellency and usefulness, if the trees had indeed wanted a king: thus Gideon and his other sons were worthy of Israel's suffrage, if there had been any occasion to set a king over them; yet they had humbly and wisely declined the offer. But Abimelech, the son of a slave and prince, than external pomp and majesty.-It is observable that long before Israel had a king by the appointment of God, anointing is spoken of as a customary ceremony of inauguration.-This is the most ancient fable or parable extant; and it is very apposite and beautiful. V. 16-20. (Notes, 1-6. 7: 8:)-Millo, (that is, fulness,) seems to have been the name of the senate-house, or town-hall: and by the house of Millo are meant all the chief persons of Shechem, who had combined to make Abimelech king; (6) and they were also intended by the cedars which the fire from the bramble would devour. (15) (Note, 50-57.) V. 22--24. Abimelech was first made king over the men of Shechem; but he seems to have been tamely submitted to by the Israelites in general: at least they allowed him to retain that title; till it pleased God to permit an evil spirit to sow contention between him and the Shechemites, by stirring up the malignant passions of their hearts, that they might execute his vengeance on each 25 And the men of Shechem set in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. k liers 33 And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city; and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion. 26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. 27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. 23 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? 29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out. other. (Notes, 1 Sam. 16:14. 18:10,11. 1 Kings 22:19-23. 2 Thes. 2:8-12.) V. 25. The Shechemites, being enraged against Abimelech, who was absent from the city and expected back again, employed assassins to meet and kill him; and they, while waiting for him, robbed the travellers, and thus helped to increase the misery of the people. (Note, 5:6,7.) 34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. 35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and "the people that were with him, from lying in wait. 36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. 37 And Gaal spake again, and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of ¶ Meone nim. 38 Then said Zebul unto him, y Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them. 39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate. 41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and a Zebul thrust out Gaal and his with wine, strongly expressed his disdain that Abimelech should reign over him, or the ancient city of Shechem. He reviled him as the son of Jerubbaal, who had destroyed the worship of Baal; and so it could not be right that Baal's wor shippers should submit to him. (Notes, 6:25-32. Num. 22:6. 1 Sam. 17:42-44.) He also spoke contemptuously of Zebul, who had been left govV. 26-29. "Ebed" signifies a ́slave. Gaal's ernor of the city. He invited them to restore the father seems to have been a slave sprung from authority, in his person, to the descendants of the race of the Canaanites; who falsely boasted Hamor; promised what great things he would do his descent from Hamor, the father of Shechem against Abimelech; and challenged him, as if presafter whom the city was called: (Gen. 34:2,4,8, ent, to decide the contest by a battle.-(Marg. 26.) yet the inhabitants basely made Gaal the Ref. r, s.) The expression translated, would to head of their conspiracy against Abimelech! Un- God, is only an earnest wish that it might be so. der this self-confident protector, they ventured V. 30-33. It is probable that Zebul was not out into the field to gather in their harvest and present, when Gaal delivered his vain-glorious vintage; and then kept a feast to the honor of speech: but he heard of it; and being exasperatBaal-berith, and in their revellings cursed Abim-ed by his insulting language, he sent to inform elech in his name: (Notes, Ex. 32:1. Hos. 2:8,9.) Abimelech of his danger, and counselled him to thus cleaving to the idol, while they rejected the come without delay and surprise his enemies. usurper!—On this occasion Gaal, heated perhaps || V. 36. Thou seest, &c.] Zebul, who had not brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. 42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. 43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. 44 And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city; and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. 45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day: and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. 46 ¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. 47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount ⚫ Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. 49 And all the people likewise cut b 15,20. Gal. 5:15. c Deut. 29:23. 1 Kings 12:25. Ps. 107:34. marg. Ez. 47:11. Zeph. 2:9. Jam. 2:13. d 4,27. 8:33. 1 Kings 18:26. 2 Kings 1:2-4. Ps. 115:8. Is. 28:15-18. 37:38. e Ps. 68:14. f 7:17,18. Prov. 1:11,12. yet declared against Gaal, spake this either in derision, or to carry on the deception till Abimelech should surprise his party unawares. down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them: so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women. 50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. i 53 And a certain i woman cast a piece of a mill-stone upon Abimelech's head, and all to break his skull. 54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armor-bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, a woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. 56 Thus m God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren. 57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. n city, which confederated against Abimelech, and to which perhaps some Shechemites had fled: but this blood-thirsty tyrant, having taken the city, purposed to burn the inhabitants with the tower, as he had done at Shechem! Thus he exactly answered the character of the bramble, which may set fire to that which is nobler and better than itself. (Note, 8-15.) But his measure of iniquity was accomplished: he had been the execu tioner of the divine vengeance upon others, and he must now himself endure it. (Is. 10:12. Note, V. 38-45. (Notes, 2 Kings 14:8-14.) As Gaal's conduct and success had not answered the people's expectations, they seem to have been willing to be rid of him and his company; and on the morrow they went forth, either to fight with Abimelech, or (supposing him to have retired,) about their business in the fields: but he, being instigated by revenge, by means of ambushments smote them, seized the city, and slew the inhabit-Jer. 25:12.) In his rage therefore coming too ants; and having reduced the place to ruins, he sowed it with salt, as expressing his hope that the desolations would be perpetual. (Marg. Ref. c.)-We are not informed what became of near the tower, he was mortally wounded by a piece of a mill-stone from the hand of a woman: and understanding this circumstance, in a vain attempt to avoid the disgrace of such a death, he Zebul. ordered his armor-bearer to slay him; who obeyV. 46--49. The inhabitants of a place not con-ed his command. (Notes, 1 Sam. 31:3-6. 2 Sam. nected with the city, called the tower of Shechem, 11:21.) Thus the world and Israel were rid of a took refuge in the temple of Baal-berith, hoping vile murderer, usurper, and tyrant, who came in that Abimelech would respect the sacredness of with subtlety, ruled in cruelty, and died in infathe place; but, in deep revenge, he contrived to my. In the midst of these bloody transactions burn the temple and the whole company of them the justice of God, in punishing both Abimelech together. (Notes, 2 Kings 19:36,37. Gal. 5:13—and the Shechemites, is noticed by the sacred 15.) writer; in which the application, made by Jotham V. 50-57. Thebez is supposed to have been all of his parable, was most wonderfully verified. 7201 CHAP. X. A ND after Abimelech, there arose to defend Israel, Tola, the son of Tola judges Israel, 1, 2; and Jair, whose thirty sons had thirty cities, 3-5. The Israelites, relapsing into idolatry, are oppressed by the Philistines and Ammonites, 6-9. They cry Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issa to God, who sends them for help to their idols, 10-14. They deeply repent and he pities them, 15, 16. They consult about choosing a leader, 17, 18. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-21. many very wise and excellent persons can do good, by the most persevering exertions. (Notes, 1 Kings 12:1-15. Ec. 2:18-23. 9:13-18.) V. 22-57. The wicked may flourish for a time, but they shall be rooted out at the last: in answer to the cries of the oppressed, God will give them up to their own mad passions; then suspicion, envy, and other; and the weapons, with which they destroyed those who obstructed their iniquitous designs, will at length destroy themselves.-The history of mankind, if stripped of the false colorings, with which historians, orators, and poets, have often exhibited the most detestable actions, and if impartially given by a pious writer, would appear very like this chapter. Here, as in a glass, we may see what man is, when left to himself and instigated by Satan; and what we should have been, had that been our case. Hence we may learn thankfulness for being preserved from such enormities; for an obscure situation, by which we are less exposed to the danger of falling victims to the ambition and jealousy of others; and for the gospel of Jesus Christ, whose "kingdom is in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."-But it is most lamentable, when such outrages are committed by professed Christians, and disgrace the religion of Jesus in the eyes of multitudes, who cannot, or will not, distinguish between Christianity, and those who have no more than the name of it. "Woe be to the world because of offences! and woe be to those, by whom such offences come!" (Note, Matt. 18:7 If parents could foresee their children's sufferings, their joy in them would be often turned into lamentations: we may therefore be thankful that we cannot penetrate futurity; and are reminded to commit those whom we most love into the hands of the Lord, and to attend to our present duty, casting our care upon him respecting our-revenge, will be kindled in them against each selves and thein. We should also be willing to leave this world when he pleases; for if we should live, we may behold such afflictions as would greatly distress our hearts. Above all, we ought to fear sin, and watch against it; for our misconduct may very probably produce the most fatal effects on our families and on society, even after we are laid in the grave.-No divine judgment is more terrible to individuals, than being given up to their own lusts; (Note, Rom. 1:24-27.) and none more dreadful to communities, than to be governed by wicked princes.-Able, upright men, who know the duties and difficulties of exalted stations, are diffident of themselves, and reluctant to quit the security, sweetness, and usefulness of private life, for the toils and dangers of pre-eminence. But men of sordid and selfish minds, destitute of the fear of God and benevolence to man, are often capable of an aspiring and daring_am- || bition, and can form crafty projects to accomplish their designs. By insinuation they draw over such persons to their interests, as are of their own temper and character; and as they do not hesitate at the commission of the most horrid crimes, they will often for a season seem to prosper in their wickedness. Slanders, flatteries,||-9.)—We may further note, that boasting genbribery, perjuries, and even murders of the most erally terminates in disgrace; that dangers desatrocious kind, are the weapons which they use, pised at a distance, terrify the more when they as occasion requires, and as ambition or suspi- approach; that the courage which wine inspires cion suggests. Their nearest relatives are not is of short continuance; that a mean spirit and safe, if they stand in their way; the foundations a proud heart harbor the most implacable reof all government civil and ecclesiastical must be venge, whilst the truly generous and humble are subverted for them, and distractions and public slow to anger and ready to forgive; that every troubles are the element in which they delight. sinful refuge accelerates or ensures destruction; Such Abimelechs every age produces; and it is that more ingenuity and diligence have hitherto surprising how they impose upon thousands to been employed in destroying than in saving concur in their base designs. (Notes and P. O. men's lives; that daring crimes are often punish2 Sam. 15:1-12.-Notes, 16:20-23. 17:1-14.) ed in kind, and the cruelty of murderers is retort-But, when men are avowed infidels, profligates, ed upon themselves, by the meanest and least and debauchees, what can be expected from them, dreaded instruments; and that the most successit unrestrained by human laws? Indeed their ful wickedness speedily ends in lasting misery wickedness is equalled by the folly of those, who and infamy.-Vain and foolish is the concern, trust power into their hands. Yet, by such and worthless are the expedients, of dying sinScourges of the human race, and such infatuated ners to reserve their reputation, when everlastcounsels, the righteous God chastises his offend-ing contempt is inevitably reserved for them in a ing people, and executes vengeance on his ene- future state! mies: and he will preserve, in the most imminent dangers, those whom he intends to employ for the good of others. He seldom proceeds to extremities against wicked men, without giving them warning: and those who will not hearken to his Call to repent, to the voice of the oppressed who demand justice, or to that of the afflicted who implore relief, will one day cry unto the Lord in extreme anguish, and he will not regard them.-All the works of the creation, in their several ways, honor their Creator, and subserve the comfort and benefit of man; who is the more inexcusable in neglecting and rebelling against his bounteous Benefactor. In departing from God, men are necessitated to trust in creatures, which can only disappoint and ruin them: and one man of moderate talents may soon do more mischief, than VOL. I. 91 God will likewise record their crimes and punishments in this world, notwithstanding all their endeavors to the contrary; as far as it is necessary for the instruction of others, and for his own glory: and how can these expect fidelity or mercy from men, who have been traitors to God, and cruel deceivers of their brethren?-But, how strong must be man's propensity to wickedness, when such general and horrible idolatry and unrighteousness prevailed even in Israel, after all the Lord had done for them, and notwithstanding all the advantages which they enjoyed! LORD, thou hast given us thy word of truth and righteousness: oh, pour out upon us thy Spirit of purity, peace, and love, and write thy holy law in our hearts, we beseech thee! else all our outward mercies will but enhance our guilt and increase our condemnation. [721 a 3 And after him arose Jair, Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. 4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass-colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. 5 And Jair died, and was buried in Camon. 6 ¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. n of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. 9 Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan, to fight also against Judah, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore • distressed. 10 T And the children of Israel P cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. 11 And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, a Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from "the Philistines? t the 12 The Zidonians also, and Amalekites, and the Maonites did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. 13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry unto the gods which 7 And the anger of the LORD was ye have chosen: let them deliver you in hot against Israel, and he sold them into the time of your tribulation. the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. 8 And that year they vexed and toppressed the children of Israel eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan, in the land b Josh. 15:48. e Gen. 31:48. Num. 32-29. d 5:10. 12:14. e Num. 32:41. Deut. 3:14. Or, the villages of Jair. f 4:1. 6:1. 13:1. g 2:11-13. 3:7. 2 Chr. 28:23. Ps. 106:36. h 1 Kings 11:5,7,33. 16:31. Kings 17:16,29-31. 23:13. i 16:23. 1 Sam. 5:2. 2 Kings 1: k 2:14. Dent. 29:20-28. 31:16 1 4:2. 1 Sam. 12:9. Ps. 44:12. m 5. Is. 30:13. 1 Thes. 5:3. NOTES. c 15 And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: 4 do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto 3:12,13. 6:3-5. 2 Chr. 14:9. 20:1,2. o Deut. 28:65. 2 Chr. 15:5. 3:9. 1 Sam. 12:10. Ps. 106:43, 44. 107:13,19,28. r Ex. 14:30. 1 Sam. 12:8. Neh. s Num. 21:21-25,35. Ps. 135: t 3:11-15. x 5:19,&e. y 6:3. z 2 Chr. 26:6,7. a 2:12. Deut. 32:15. 1 Chr. 23 9. Jer. 2:13. Jon. 2:8. b Deut. 32:26-28. 1 Kings 18 27,28. 2 Kings 3:13. Prov. 1: 25-27. Is. 10:3. Jer. 2:28. c 2 Sam. 12:13. 24:10. Job 33: 27. Prov. 28:13. 1 John 1:610. d Josh. 9:25. 1 Sam. 3:13. 2 Sam. 10:12. 15:26. Jon. 2:4. 3:9 Heb. is good in thine eyes. restrain them from idolatry, he was not able to CHAP. X. V. 1, 2. After the death of the usurp-defend them from their enemies. er, the Lord raised up Tola to judge Israel. We do not find that he waged any war; but he restored peace and the regular administration of justice, after the late distractions, and he reformed the state of religion: and thus he was as great a blessing, as those judges who performed more memorable exploits. His name signifies a worm; and he was no worse fitted for being the Lord's instrument of good to his people, if his opinion of himself accorded to so humble a name. Though of the tribe of Issachar, he came to live in mount Ephraim, probably that he might be in the centre of Israel, and near the tabernacle. (Notes, Josh 18:1. 19:49,50.) Ass-colts. (4) Note, 5:10.-Horses are not once mentioned in this part of the history. V 3-5. Jair.] The next judge, Jair, probably was a descendant of Jair, the great grandson of Machir the son of Manasseh. (Notes, Num. 32:41. 1 Chr. 2:22.) His numerous sons inherited some of the cities, which had fallen to the lot of their ancestor, and assisted their father as magistrates, riding from place to place to administer justice. Some of these years, of which scarcely any thing is recorded, may be considered as the best times of Israel under the judges. We must, however, take some of the eighteen years of Israel's apostacy from the latter part of Jair's government, (8) during which the people seem gradually to have corrupted themselves, and fallen under oppression; and when Jair could no longer 7227 V. 6-9. (Notes, 2:11-14.) The Israelites, having cast off the worship of JEHOVAH, and multiplied their idols beyond the example of their ancestors, were delivered into the hands of the Philistines on the west, and of the Ammonites on the east; who between them crushed the people for a long time, but most terribly towards the close of eighteen years; for then the Ammonites invaded the country west of Jordan, and greatly distressed the inhabitants. That year. (8) The Ammonites vexed them in the east, while the Philistines vexed them in the west. Their invasion began in the same 'year, but did not end at the same time: for the Ammonites domineered over them only eighteen years; but the Philistines forty.' Bp. Patrick. (Note, 13:1.) V. 11, 12. Probably the Zidonians aided Jabin, king of Canaan. (Notes, 4:)-The Maonites might be a tribe of Arabians, which assisted Moab. (Marg. Ref.) V. 13, 14. This is spoken after the manner of men; and shews most emphatically the deserving of Israel, the demands of divine justice, and the dreadful consequences of impenitence: but threatenings always imply a reserve of mercy for the penitent. (Notes, Jer. 2:26-30. 18:7-10.) |