judges-9:6-15,-matthew-20:1-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:14

Then said all the trees unto the bramble ,.... Perceiving they could not prevail upon any of the useful and fruitful trees to take the government of them, they unite in a request to a bramble, scarce to be called a tree, and however a very barren and fruitless one, yea, hurtful and distressing: come thou, and reign over us ; this respects Abimelech, and describes him as a mean person, the son of a concubine, as having no goodness in him, not any good qualifications to recommend him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:15

And the bramble said unto the trees ,.... Accepting of their offer at once: if ye in trust anoint me king over you ; suspecting they were not hearty and cordial in their choice and call to the kingly authority over them: then come and put your trust in my shadow ; promising protection to them as his subjects, requiring their confidence in him, and boasting of the good they should receive from him, as is common with wicked princes at their first entering on their office; but, alas!... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:6

And all the house of Millo - If Millo be the name of a place, it is nowhere else mentioned in the sacred writings. But it is probably the name of a person of note and influence in the city of Shechem - the men of Shechem and the family of Millo. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:7

Stood in the top of Mount Gerizim - Gerizim and Ebal were mounts very near to each other; the former lying to the north, the latter to the south, and at the foot of them Shechem. But see some remarks on the extent of the human voice in some hilly countries in the following extract from a late traveler in the East: - "The great extent to which the sound of the voice is conveyed may be mentioned. Some persons have thought this a proof of the extreme rarity of the atmosphere. A... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:8

The trees went forth on a time - This is the oldest, and without exception the best fable or apologue in the world. See the observations at the end of this chapter, Judges 9:56 ; (note). It is not to be supposed that a fable, if well formed, requires much illustration; every part of this, a few expressions excepted, illustrates itself, and tells its own meaning. To anoint a king - Hence it appears that anointing was usual in the installation of kings, long before there was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:9

Wherewith - they honor God and man - I believe the word אלהים elohim here should be translated gods, for the parable seems to be accommodated to the idolatrous state of the Shechemites. Thus it was understood by the Vulgate, Arabic, and others. It is true that olive oil was often used in the service of God: the priests were anointed with it; the lamps in the tabernacle lighted with it; almost all the offerings of fine flour, cakes prepared in the pan, etc., had oil mingled with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:11

But the fig tree said - Should I forsake my sweetness - The fruit of the fig tree is the sweetest or most luscious of all fruits. A full-ripe fig, in its own climate, has an indescribable sweetness; so much so that it is almost impossible to eat it, till a considerable time after it is gathered from the trees, and has gone through an artificial preparation. This I have often noticed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:13

Which cheereth God and man - I believe אלהים elohim here is to be taken in the same sense proposed on Judges 9:9 . Vast libations of wine, as well as much oil, were used in heathenish sacrifices and offerings; and it was their opinion that the gods actually partook of, and were delighted with, both the wine and oil. The pagan mythology furnishes the most exquisite wines to its gods in heaven, and hence the nectar and ambrosia so much talked of and praised by the ancients. It is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:14

Then said all the trees unto the bramble - The word אטד atad , which we translate bramble, is supposed to mean the rhamnus, which is the largest of thorns, producing dreadful spikes, similar to darts. See Theodoret on Psalm 58:10 . There is much of the moral of this fable contained in the different kinds of trees mentioned. The olive; the most profitable tree to its owner, having few equals either for food or medicine. The fig tree; one of the most fruitful of trees,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:15

Come and put your trust in any shadow - The vain boast of the would-be sovereign; and of the man who is seeking to be put into power by the suffrages of the people. All promise, no performance. Let fire come out of the bramble - A strong catachresis. The bramble was too low to give shelter to any tree; and so far from being able to consume others, that the smallest fire will reduce it to ashes, and that in the shortest time. Hence the very transitory mirth of... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 9:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:15

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