Judges 9:42

42 The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek.

Judges 9:42 in Other Translations

42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

42 On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told.

42 The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields to battle. When Abimelech heard about it,

42 The next day the people went out to the fields. This was reported to Abimelech.

42 The next day when the people went into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelech.

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sow, which quickly came on after the vintage was ended; find this they might do the more securely, since Abimelech had withdrawn himself and his forces to his place of habitation, and so concluded he would not soon at least return to them; and the rather they might think he would be more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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Judges 9:42 In-Context

40 Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled.

41 Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem.

42 The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek.

43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them.

44 Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down.