KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible
Study :: Bible Study Notes :: ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Judges 9

ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Judges 9

Choose a new font size and typeface

Judg 9:1–6 Abimelech rose to power by ruthlessly killing his own brothers, with the help of the Shechemites. He was then “made king” at Shechem (v. 6). Jerubbaal. That is, Gideon (see 8:35 and note on 6:32). worthless and reckless fellows. Abimelech’s character can be judged by the company that he kept.

Judg 9:7–21 Jotham, the only brother of Abimelech to survive his murderous rampage, tells a fable criticizing Abimelech’s actions. In the fable, the noble trees of the forest each reject the offer of kingship. Finally, the dishonorable bramble bush accepts the call and becomes king. The fable is an indictment of the Shechemites (who have chosen a king of such low character) and of Abimelech himself.

Judg 9:7 Mount Gerizim. See Deut. 11:26–32; Josh. 8:30–35.

Judg 9:20 let fire come out. Jotham’s challenge was prophetic (see vv. 49, 54).

Judg 9:22–55 The Shechemites, who had made Abimelech their king (vv. 1–6), eventually rebelled against him (vv. 26–33). Abimelech was able to stop the revolt, and he burned Shechem and its defenses (vv. 34–39). Abimelech himself was then killed while trying to destroy neighboring Thebez (vv. 50–55).

Judg 9:22 The Hebrew word for ruled suggests that Abimelech had only the power of a secondary commander, not of a true king.

Judg 9:23 God sent an evil spirit between. “Evil spirit” probably means a “spirit of ill will” or a “harmful spirit” between the parties. Thus God himself brought about the split between the two sides.

Judg 9:45 sowed it with salt. This physical and also symbolic action turned Shechem into a barren, uninhabitable desert (compare Deut. 29:23; Ps. 107:34). It was later rebuilt by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25).

Judg 9:54 kill me. Being killed by a woman was a disgrace to a warrior.

ESV Footnotes Search

ESV

The ESV Global Study Bible
Copyright © 2012 by Crossway.
All rights reserved.
Used by permission.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.