Although this is a sordid story, it is set out at length to teach us that God's judgments upon sin are not reserved for some future date, but are continually being administered. The Father hath committed all judgment to the Son, and throughout the ages of human history, he has been dividing men and nations, as the shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. Peter tells us, for instance, that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned to destruction, as an example to those who lived "ungodly," 2 Peter 2:6. Adonibezek bore witness to the same great law, Judges 1:7. The Psalms are full of it-see Psalms 7:15-17. Here it is also. Shechem rued the evil compact with Abimelech, the fratricide. Contention and bloodshed were their plentiful reward.
Let us keep calm and quiet, when wicked men attain to great power and spread themselves as "a green tree in its native soil." We need not fret ourselves to do evil. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, for the Lord loveth judgment and forsaketh not His saints. They are preserved forever, but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. See Psalms 37:1-40. [source]
Chapter Summary: Judges 9
1Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king 7Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin 22Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him 30Zebul reveals it 34Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt 46He burns the hold of the god Berith 50At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone 56Jotham's curse is fulfilled
What do the individual words in Judges 9:39 mean?
So went outGaalleadingthe menof Shechemand foughtwith Abimelech