Judges 9:43

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.

Judges 9:43 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 9:43

And he took the people
That is, the forces he had with him at Arumah:

and divided them into three companies:
each having a separate leader, and the command of one of them he had himself:

and laid wait in the field;
in the field of Shechem, one company in one part, and one in another part of the field:

and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city;
he watched them when they did:

and he rose up against them, and smote them;
the companies rose up out of their ambush, in different parts, and killed them.

Judges 9:43 In-Context

41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

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

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 Abimelech, 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.

45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people who were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.