Wesley Corpus

Berith - Or, Baal - berith, ver.4. Hither they fled out of the town belonging to it, fearing the same event with Shechem; and here they thought to be secure; partly by the strength of the place, partly by the religion of it, thinking that either their god would protect them there, or that Abimelech would spare them out of pity to that god. Zalmon - A place so called from its shadiness. Thebez - Another town near to Shechem; and, as it seems, within its territory. And all - All that were not slain in the taking of the town. Top of the tower - Which was flat and plain, after their manner of building. Mill - stone - Such great stones no doubt they carried up with them, whereby they might defend themselves, or offend those who assaulted them. Here the justice of God is remarkable in suiting the punishment to his sin. He slew his brethren upon a stone, ver.5, and he loseth his own life by a stone. A women - Which was esteemed a matter of disgrace. Wickedness - In rooting out, as far as he could, the name and memory of his father. Render upon their heads - Thus God preserved the honour of his government, and gave warning to all ages, to expect blood for blood.