Judges 9

Judges 9:2

THree score and ten] For the most wretched, and imperfect kind of government, is of a great number of supreame Lords, equall in authority: Your bone] Of your bloud, and parentage by my mothers side.

Judges 9:6

Millo] The Hebrew word signifieth a terrace and it might be some great place neere the palace, which therefore bare the name of it: and so by the house of Millo, should be understood the city counsell: Others take this name for the fortresse of the place, and the house of Millo for the garrison of it; Of the pillar] The Italian, The oake of the pillar] See Joshua 24:26.

Judges 9:7

That God] An ordinary kind of speech, when one desires any thing at a mans hands; do this as God shall helpe thee. Or else it is a kind of threatning: Hearken unto me, and then may God prosper you as you deserve.

Judges 9:8

The trees] See a parable, or a fable like unto this 2 Kings 14:9. You Sichemites, Gideon having refused the command which you had proffered to him, Judges 8:22. have chosen a most wicked man to be Lord over you; if you have dealt justly in this election, then may you enjoy the fruits of a just government, but if you have dealt perfidiously, and ungratefully with Gideon, then may it please God to revenge it, by causing you to destroy one another, 〈◊〉. 57.

Judges 9:9

God and man] Being that oyle was used in offerings, and in the consecration of persons, and instruments for Gods Service; and amongst men it is also employed to honourable uses. Others translate it, by which, by my meanes God and man is honoured; namely, in consecrating Kings and Priests: and to beautifie the face upon occasion of feasts and banquets.

Judges 9:13

Which cheareth God] Because that wind was used in offerings, powring out the wine in Sacrifices of a pleasing odour to the Lord.

Judges 9:15

If in truth] That is to say, if your chusing of Abimelech to be your King, be not joyned with a cruell treachery against my father, and his issue may you with security enjoy his government, verse 19 The cedars] Namely the most noble, and powerfull that are amongst you, for your tyrants chiefly aime at the overthrow of such.

Judges 9:18

Maid servant] Of the Israelitish kind, which might be taken for concubines, Exodus chapter 21. verses 8, 10.

Judges 9:22

Over Israel] Not that he had the same command over all the people, as he had 〈◊〉 Sichem, but by reason of some preheminence, which he might have as being acknowledged for Gideons heire, and successor.

Judges 9:23

Sent] Loosed the reines to the devils malice, that he might raise discords, for a punishment of their precedent hurtfull agreement: See 1 Kings 22 2. Psalme 55. verse 9. Hosea Chapter 10. verse 2.

Judges 9:25

Set Lyers in wait] To catch him, if he wnt by, evill accompanied, or to spie him if he passed along with any great troope, and to giye notice of it, troubling passengers in the meane time, according to the licentiousnesse of anarchy.

Judges 9:26

Put their confidence] That is to say, chose them for their heads, reposing great trust and confidence, in their valour, and conduct.

Judges 9:27

Made merry] The Italian, And sang] According to the custome of the vintage, Isay 16. 9. 10. Jeremiah 25:30. The Italian addeth, Songs] The Hebrew, praises; for the originall of these Songs, was to praise God: See Leviticus Chapter 19 24.

Judges 9:28

Who is] That is to say, Is there any reason that a city of such antiquity, and power as Sichem is should be subject to strangers, such as Jerubbaal the father of Abimelech was:Zebul] This was some governour of the city under Abimelech, who though he were borne in that place, was neverthelesse subject to envy and hatred, because he was his officer: Serve the] If you will have a master, take me rather, or some of my family, who are descended from that ancient Hamor, Genesis 34:2. as the residue of the Canaanites were mingled amongst the people of Israel.

Judges 9:29

And be said] He challenged him openly, though in his absence, and did send the challenge to him by some one or other.

Judges 9:31

For fie] That is to say, they use all their shifts and endeavours, to cause the city to rebell against thee, and to become Lords of it themselves.

Judges 9:37

By the middle] The Italian, From the navell] that is to say from above, or from the middle, or from the open country, for the other squdron came by hidden and close wayes:Meonenim] the Italian, Of Southsayers] the occasion of this name is unknowne: it might be some grove dedicated to some southsaying idoll.

Judges 9:41

Arumah] Concealing his ill will against the city, as though he had meant it to Gaal, to sin prize the inhabitants unprovided.

Judges 9:42

Went out] Expecting no more enmity from Abimelech.

Judges 9:45

And sowed it] As in abomination, condemning it to perpetuall barrennesse, as the barrennesse of salt ponds.

Judges 9:46

Of the Tower] It was some forteresse or rock about the Temple of Baal-berith: The God Berith] The Italian, Baal-berith] Or, of the God of Berith.