Monday, October 16, 2023

Judges 9:42-45 Violence begets Violence!

42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech. 43So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.

44Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down. 45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.

“With the resistance of Gaal defeated, Abimelech would find it easy to establish his control over the city of Shechem again. Both outside and inside the city, they effectively attacked and killed the people of Shechem (even those not directly involved in the rebellion).” (Guzik)


The people, apparently confident that the matter was concluded, went out into the fields as usual to engage in their daily occupations.” (Cundall)


“Indeed, Shechem was not rebuilt until the reign of Jeroboam I, almost two centuries later (1 Kings 12:25).” (Wolf)


“This shows the problem of following a man who comes to power through violence. Commonly, it is only a matter of time until the same violence is turned against those who helped him come to power.” (Guzik)


Reminds me of a Proverb!


Proverbs 4:

A fathers instruction

14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of evildoers.

15Avoid it; do not travel on it.

Turn from it and pass on by.

16For they cannot sleep

unless they do evil;

they are deprived of slumber

until they make someone fall.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.


Violence begets violence!

Matthew 26: 52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.


Turn from violence! Ask yourself WWJD? What would Jesus do?

Blessings 




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