Judges 9:31
Judges 9:31 in Multiple Translations
So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem; and, behold, they constrain the city to take part against thee.
And he sent to Abimelech at Arumah, saying, See, Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers have come to Shechem, and they are working up the town against you.
He secretly sent messengers to Abimelech to tell him, “Look, Gaal, son of Ebed, and his relatives have arrived in Shechem, and they are stirring up the town to rebel against you.
Therefore he sent messengers vnto Abimelech priuily, saying, Beholde, Gaal the sonne of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem, and beholde, they fortifie the citie against thee.
and he sendeth messengers unto Abimelech deceitfully, saying, 'Lo, Gaal son of Ebed and his brethren are coming into Shechem, and lo, they are fortifying the city against thee;
He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.
And he sent messengers to Abimelech privately, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his brethren, are come to Shechem; and behold, they fortify the city against thee.
And sent messengers privately to Abimelech, saying: Behold Gaal the son of Obed is come into Sichem with his brethren, and endeavoureth to set the city against thee.
He secretly sent some messengers to Abimelech. They told him, “Gaal and his brothers have come here to Shechem, and they are causing the people of the city to rebel against you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:31
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Judges 9:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:31
Study Notes — Judges 9:31
- Context
- Judges 9:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 9:31
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:31
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 9:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:31
Context — The Fall of Shechem
31So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. 33And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”Judges 9:31 Summary
This verse shows how Zebul, the governor of the city, responded to the threat of Gaal and his brothers, who were stirring up the city against Abimelech. Zebul sent secret messengers to Abimelech to warn him of the danger, demonstrating his loyalty to Abimelech and his commitment to maintaining order in the city, much like the importance of loyalty and submission emphasized in Romans 13:1-7 and Hebrews 13:17. This verse teaches us that as believers, we should prioritize loyalty, wisdom, and courage in our actions, and be diligent in responding to threats against God's people and leaders, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:1-5. By studying this verse, we can learn valuable lessons about leadership, loyalty, and community, and apply them to our own lives, just as we see in the examples of faithful leaders in the Bible, such as Moses in Exodus 18:13-27.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Zebul send messengers to Abimelech in secret?
Zebul sent messengers to Abimelech in secret because he was trying to counter the influence of Gaal, who was stirring up the city against Abimelech, as seen in Judges 9:31. This action shows that Zebul was loyal to Abimelech and wanted to protect his authority, much like the loyalty demonstrated in Ruth 3:1-6.
What was the motivation behind Zebul's actions in this verse?
Zebul's motivation was likely to maintain order and stability in the city, as well as to protect Abimelech's position, as indicated in Judges 9:30 where Zebul burned with anger upon hearing Gaal's words. This is similar to the leadership principles found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, where leaders are called to maintain order and discipline.
How does this verse relate to the concept of loyalty and leadership?
This verse highlights the importance of loyalty and leadership, as Zebul's actions demonstrate his commitment to Abimelech and the city of Shechem, much like the loyalty of David to King Saul in 1 Samuel 24:1-7. It also shows how leaders must make difficult decisions to maintain order and protect their people, as seen in Nehemiah 5:1-19.
What can we learn from Zebul's response to Gaal's rebellion?
We can learn that as believers, we must be diligent in responding to threats against God's people and His leaders, just as Zebul responded to Gaal's rebellion, and that we should prioritize loyalty, wisdom, and courage in our actions, as encouraged in Proverbs 24:23-25 and 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate loyalty to my leaders and community, just as Zebul did in this verse?
- How can I balance the need to maintain order and stability with the need to speak out against injustice, as seen in the conflict between Zebul and Gaal?
- What are some potential consequences of allowing rebellion and discord to go unchecked, and how can I work to prevent this in my own community?
- In what ways can I prioritize wisdom and courage in my own decision-making, especially when faced with difficult or challenging situations like Zebul faced in this verse?
