Judges 9:31 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“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. {privily: Heb. craftily or, to Tormah}”

Judges 9:31

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. {kindled: or, hot}

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. {privily: Heb. craftily or, to Tormah}

Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that {is} with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

And it shall be, {that} in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, {when} he and the people that {is} with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion. {as thou shalt...: Heb. as thine hand shall find}

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From This Chapter

Judges 9:1

"And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,"

Judges 9:2

"Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether {is} better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, {which are} threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I {am} your bone and your flesh. {Whether...: Heb. What is good? whether, etc}"

Judges 9:3

"And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He {is} our brother. {to follow: Heb. after}"

Judges 9:4

"And they gave him threescore and ten {pieces} of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him."

Judges 9:5

"And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, {being} threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself."

Judges 9:6

"And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that {was} in Shechem. {plain: or, oak}"

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