Judges 9:27

27 and went out into [the] fields, and wasted vineries, and trode grapes; and with companies of singers made, they entered into the temple of their God, and among meats and drinks they cursed Abimelech, (and they went into the fields, and emptied out their vineyards, and trod down the grapes at the winepress, and made merry; and they entered into the temple of their god, and over food and drink they cursed Abimelech,)

Judges 9:27 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 27 And they went into the fields, and gathered their vineyards,
&c.] Before they kept within the city, and durst not stir out to gather in the vintage, the time being come, for fear of the troops of Abimelech; for their lying in wait for him, and the robberies committed being made known to him, he had prepared to raise some forces, and attack them, of which they had had information; but now being encouraged with the protection of Gaal, they ventured out to gather their grapes in their vineyards without fear:

and trode the grapes, and made merry:
sung songs and danced, as was usual at the ingathering of the fruits of the earth, and treading the winepress, ( Isaiah 16:10 ) ( Jeremiah 48:33 ) though Abendana thinks this joy and merriment were made to their idol, to whom they gave the praise of their vintage, they should have done to the true God, and what follows may seem to confirm it:

and they went into the house of their god;
the temple of Baalberith, ( Judges 9:5 )

and did eat and drink;
in their idol temple, as was the manner of idolaters to do, bringing their firstfruits to rejoice, and make glad with:

and cursed Abimelech;
wished they had never seen him and known him, hoped they should be rid of him in a little time, and that he would meet with his deserved disgrace and punishment; and this they did in that very temple from whence they had taken money to assist him in making way for his government of them; so fickle and changeable were they.

Judges 9:27 In-Context

25 And men of Shechem set ambushments against the king in the highness of hills; and while they abode his coming, they haunted thefts, and took preys of men passing thereforth; and it was told to Abimelech. (And so the men of Shechem set men in ambush against the king in the highness of the hills; and while they waited for him, they robbed, and took plunder, from those who passed by; and this was told to Abimelech.)

26 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, came with his brethren, and passed into Shechem; at whose entering the dwellers of Shechem were raised, (And Gaal, the son of Ebed, came with his kinsmen, and went into Shechem; at whose entry, the inhabitants of Shechem were raised up, and turned to him,)

27 and went out into [the] fields, and wasted vineries, and trode grapes; and with companies of singers made, they entered into the temple of their God, and among meats and drinks they cursed Abimelech, (and they went into the fields, and emptied out their vineyards, and trod down the grapes at the winepress, and made merry; and they entered into the temple of their god, and over food and drink they cursed Abimelech,)

28 while Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried, Who is this Abimelech? And what is Shechem, that we serve him? Whether he is not the son of Jerubbaal, and made Zebul, his servant, prince on the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why therefore shall we serve him? (while Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried, Who is this Abimelech? And why should we Shechemites serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? Is not Zebul but his servant? Yea, we should serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem! Why do we serve him?)

29 Would God, (that) some man would give this people (to be) under mine hand, and (then) I should do away Abimelech from the midst of Shechem. And it was said to Abimelech, Gather thou the multitude of an host, and come thou (And then he said to Abimelech, as if he were there, Gather thou the multitude of thy army, and come thou out, if thou darest).