Abimelech, the Bramble King (6): The Conspiracy of Gaal (Judges 9:25​-41) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. Its Beginning
II. Its End
III. Its Lessons
Matthew Henry on Judges 9:27: “They [i.e., the Shechemites] made themselves very merry in his [i.e., Abimelech’s] absence, as those who were glad he was out of the way, and who, now that they had another to head them, were in hopes to get clear of him; nay, they went into the house of their god, to solemnize their feast of in-gathering, and there they did eat, and drink, and cursed Abimelech, not only said all the ill they could of him in their table-talk and the song of their drunkards, but wished all the ill they could to him over their sacrifices, praying to their idol to destroy him. They drank healths to his confusion, and with as loud huzzas as ever they had drunk them to his prosperity. That very temple whence they had fetched money to set him up with did they now meet in to curse him and contrive his ruin. Had they deserted their idol-god with their image-king, they might have hoped to prosper; but, while they still cleave to the former, the latter shall cleave to them to their ruin. How should Satan cast out Satan?”