But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head, crushing his skull. But a womanIn the ancient Near Eastern context, women were often seen as less significant in military and leadership roles. However, the Bible frequently highlights women who play pivotal roles in God's plans, such as Deborah, Jael, and here, the unnamed woman. This phrase underscores the unexpected means by which God can bring about justice and deliverance, challenging societal norms and expectations. dropped
The Hebrew root for "dropped" is "שָׁלַךְ" (shalach), which means to throw or cast. This action is deliberate and decisive, indicating that the woman took a bold step in the face of danger. Her action is reminiscent of other biblical instances where seemingly small or weak actions lead to significant outcomes, emphasizing God's power to use the humble and lowly to achieve His purposes. an upper millstone
The upper millstone, or "רֶכֶב" (recheb) in Hebrew, was a heavy stone used in grinding grain. It was not a weapon of war, yet it became a tool of divine justice. This highlights the theme of God using ordinary objects and people to accomplish extraordinary feats. The millstone's weight and purpose in daily life contrast with its role in this dramatic moment, symbolizing how God can repurpose the mundane for His glory. on Abimelech’s head
Abimelech, the son of Gideon, sought power through treachery and violence, killing his brothers to secure his rule. His head, the symbol of his authority and pride, becomes the target of divine retribution. This phrase serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). crushing his skull
The act of crushing, from the Hebrew "רָצַץ" (ratsats), conveys a complete and decisive end. This violent imagery underscores the severity of Abimelech's judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the ultimate futility of human ambition when it stands in opposition to God's will. The crushing of the skull signifies the end of Abimelech's tyrannical reign and the restoration of justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped. 2. The WomanAn unnamed woman who played a pivotal role in Abimelech's downfall by dropping a millstone on his head from a tower in Thebez. 3. ThebezA city where Abimelech attempted to assert his control after destroying Shechem. The people of Thebez took refuge in a strong tower, which Abimelech tried to burn down. 4. MillstoneA large stone used for grinding grain. In this context, it becomes a weapon of divine justice against Abimelech. 5. Divine JusticeThe event signifies God's judgment on Abimelech for his violent and treacherous actions, fulfilling Jotham's curse. Teaching Points The Consequences of Pride and AmbitionAbimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and pride. His desire for power led to his downfall, reminding us to seek humility and God's will over personal gain. God's Sovereignty and JusticeDespite human actions, God's justice prevails. Abimelech's death by an unexpected means shows that God can use anyone or anything to fulfill His purposes. The Role of the UnexpectedThe unnamed woman represents how God often uses unexpected people and means to accomplish His plans. We should remain open to how God might work through us or others in surprising ways. The Power of Repentance and ForgivenessWhile Abimelech did not repent, his account encourages us to seek forgiveness and change our ways before facing the consequences of our actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abimelech's account illustrate the dangers of seeking power for selfish reasons, and how can we apply this lesson in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Abimelech and the woman at Thebez demonstrate God's justice, and how can we trust in God's justice in our own circumstances? 3. How can we identify and avoid the pitfalls of pride and ambition in our personal and professional lives? 4. What are some examples in your life where God used unexpected people or events to accomplish His purposes, and how did that impact your faith? 5. How does the principle of reaping what we sow, as seen in Abimelech's account, encourage us to live righteously and seek God's guidance in our decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Samuel 11The account of David and Bathsheba, where Uriah is killed by David's command, parallels Abimelech's treachery and the consequences of sin. Proverbs 16:18This verse about pride leading to destruction connects to Abimelech's downfall due to his arrogance and self-exaltation. Galatians 6:7The principle of reaping what one sows is evident in Abimelech's demise, as his violent actions lead to his violent end. People Abimelech, Ebed, Gaal, Hamor, Jerubbaal, Jotham, Ophrah, Zalmon, ZebulPlaces Arumah, Beer, Beth-millo, Diviners' Oak, Lebanon, Midian, Mount Gerizim, Mount Zalmon, Ophrah, Shechem, Thebez, Tower of ShechemTopics Abimelech, Abimelech's, Abim'elech's, Bone, Brake, Breaketh, Broke, Cast, Cracked, Cracking, Crushed, Crushing, Grain, Millstone, Piece, Rider, Skull, Stone, Threw, UpperDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 9:50-53 4482 millstones Judges 9:52-54 9021 death, natural Library Here, by Way of Objection, Several Questions are Raised. ...
Here, by way of objection, several questions are raised. Scripture relates that God sometimes complied with certain prayers which had been dictated by minds not duly calmed or regulated. It is true, that the cause for which Jotham imprecated on the inhabitants of Shechem the disaster which afterwards befell them was well founded; but still he was inflamed with anger and revenge (Judges 9:20); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervour …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of FaithTrials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Hence is Also that which Thou Hast Mentioned that they Speak Of...
28. Hence is also that which thou hast mentioned that they speak of, that the Lord Jesus, after He was risen, walked in the way with two disciples; and upon their drawing near to the village whither they were going, He made as though He would have gone farther: where the Evangelist, saying, "But He Himself feigned that He would go further," [2435] hath put that very word in which liars too greatly delight, that they may with impunity lie: as if every thing that is feigned is a lie, whereas in a truthful …
St. Augustine—Against Lying The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It.
1. A general summary of what is contained in the previous part of the work. A transition to the doctrine of prayer. Its connection with the subject of faith. 2. Prayer defined. Its necessity and use. 3. Objection, that prayer seems useless, because God already knows our wants. Answer, from the institution and end of prayer. Confirmation by example. Its necessity and propriety. Perpetually reminds us of our duty, and leads to meditation on divine providence. Conclusion. Prayer a most useful exercise. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 9:53 NIVJudges 9:53 NLTJudges 9:53 ESVJudges 9:53 NASBJudges 9:53 KJV
Judges 9:53 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
