Judges 9:29-35

Judges 9:29

And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

 

Then Gaal offers a challenge to Abimelech and that was that he would remove him from ruling over the people and to show how powerful he was or thought, Gaal wanted a message sent to Abimelech to go and increase the size of his army and then come out and challenge him for the rule.  This arrogance at its very best.

 

Judges 9:30

And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

 

Zebul being the Governor of Shechem heard the challenge made by Gaal and this resulted in him becoming very angry at his words.  Zebul had been on the side of Gaal but when he heard this challenge, he switched sides and went back to the side of Abimelech.

 

Judges 9:31

And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.

 

Zebul then sent messengers to Abimelech who at that time was dwelling at Arumah which was about 5 miles (8 km) south of Shechem.  The messengers no doubt took that ride very quickly and told Abimelech that Gaal was now fortifying the city in anticipation of doing battle with him so he could seize power.  If Abimelech waits too long then Gaal will have time to build fortifications and make the assault much more difficult.

 

Judges 9:32

Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:

 

Then Zebul made a plan for Abimelech on how he could back the city before there was time to build any ramparts which would hinder the attack.  He was to come up by night and lie in the fields which surrounded Shechem and wait there until the time was right for a surprise attack.

 

Judges 9:33

And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

 

Then while Abimelech would be in the field, Gaal’s troops would spot them and as soon as the dawn appears, then he is to approach the city and attack it not giving Gaal’s troops time to form a coordinated defense of the city.  Zebul knew that Gaal and his troops would leave the city and face Abimelech in the field where his troops would be waiting.  Once Abimelech would have them in the field, he would then be able to handle the situation as he saw fit.

 

Judges 9:34

And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

 

Abimelech then follows the battle plan and approaches the city at night and waits there until the dawn.  He then divides his troops up into four companies.  Each company would have been stationed on all four sides of Shechem and once the battle commenced would have descended upon the city in their section thus dividing the strength of Gaal’s troops and weakening them.

 

Judges 9:35

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

 

The plan worked as Gaal came with his troops to the gate of the city and once he approached the gate the men who were with Abimelech rose up from where they were hiding and began to approach the opposing army.

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