Wesley Corpus

Chapter IX Abimelech usurps the government at Shechem, ver. 1 - 6. Jotham's parable, ver. 7 - 21. Strife between Abimelech and the Shechemites, ver. 22 - 41. The slaughter of the Shechemites, ver. 42 - 49. The death of Abimelech, fulfilling Jotham's curse, ver. 50 - 57. Reign - He supposed they would take that government which their father refused; and that the multitude of his sons would occasion divisions, and confusions, which they might avoid by chusing him king; and so they might enjoy the monarchy which they had long desired. Your bone and flesh - Your kinsman, of the same tribe and city with you; which will be no small honour and advantage to you. Brethren - That is, kinsmen. He is our brother - They were easily persuaded to believe what served their own interest. Pieces of silver - Not shekels, which were too small a sum for this purpose; but far larger pieces, the exact worth whereof it is not possible for us now to know. The house of Baal - berith - Out of his sacred treasury; having since Gideon's death built this temple (which he would never have suffered whilst he lived) and endowed it with considerable revenues. Light persons - Unsettled, idle and necessitous persons, the proper instruments of tyranny and cruelty. His brethren - The only persons who were likely to hinder him in establishing his tyranny. Threescore and ten - Wanting one, who is here expressed. Jotham was left - Whereby he would signify, that this was an act of justice, in cutting them all off in an orderly manner, for some supposed crime, probably, as designing sedition and rebellion. House of Millo - Some eminent and potent family living in Shechem, or near it. King - Over all Israel, ver.22, which was a strange presumption for the inhabitants of one city; but they had many advantages for it; as the eager, and general, and constant inclination of the Israelites to kingly government; Abimelech's being the son of Gideon, to whom, and to his sons, they offered the kingdom.