Judges 9:42

42 It happened on the next day, that the people went out into the field; and they told Avimelekh.

Judges 9:42 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 9:42

And it came to pass on the morrow
The day after the battle:

that the people went out into the field;
some think to fight, and try the event of another battle, in order to be freed from Abimelech, but that seems not so likely: rather to finish their vintage, as Josephus {l}, or to till their ground, to plough and sow, which quickly came on after the vintage was ended; find this they might do the more securely, since Abimelech had withdrawn himself and his forces to his place of habitation, and so concluded he would not soon at least return to them; and the rather they might think he would be more easy, with then, since Gaal was thrust out from among them:

and they told Abimelech;
or it was told Abimelech, that the people came out into the field, and so an opportunity offered to him to come and cut them off, as they were at their business unarmed.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 7. sect. 4.

Judges 9:42 In-Context

40 Avimelekh chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.

41 Avimelekh lived at Arumah: and Zevul drove out Ga`al and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shekhem.

42 It happened on the next day, that the people went out into the field; and they told Avimelekh.

43 He took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; He rose up against them, and struck them.

44 Avimelekh, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field, and struck them.