Judges 1:7

And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered [their meat] under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

And Adonibezek {H137} said {H559}, Threescore and ten {H7657} kings {H4428}, having their thumbs {H931}{H3027} and their great toes {H7272} cut off {H7112}, gathered {H3950} their meat under my table {H7979}: as I have done {H6213}, so God {H430} hath requited {H7999} me. And they brought {H935} him to Jerusalem {H3389}, and there he died {H4191}.

Adoni-Bezek said: "Seventy kings, with their thumbs and their big toes cut off, gathered food under my table; God has paid me back in accordance with what I did." They brought him to Yerushalayim, and he died there.

Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their food under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Commentary

Context of Judges 1:7

Judges 1:7 opens the dramatic and often challenging Book of Judges, which chronicles the period of Israelite history between the death of Joshua and the rise of the monarchy. Following the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel are tasked with completing the conquest of the Promised Land. This verse describes the capture of Adoni-bezek, a Canaanite king of Bezek, by the tribes of Judah and Simeon. His capture signifies an early success in the daunting task of dispossessing the inhabitants of Canaan, setting a tone for the ongoing struggle and God's involvement in Israel's battles.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Retribution and Justice: The core message of this verse is the clear demonstration of God's justice. Adoni-bezek, a pagan king, explicitly acknowledges that his gruesome fate—having his thumbs and great toes cut off—is a direct divine "requital" for the same cruelty he inflicted upon seventy other kings. This highlights the principle of divine consequence for actions, a recurring theme throughout the Bible.
  • Consequences of Cruelty: The vivid description of Adoni-bezek's prior actions underscores the barbarity of ancient warfare and the specific cruelty he practiced. His own suffering mirrors that which he caused, serving as a powerful illustration that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
  • Sovereignty of God: Even from the mouth of an enemy, God's hand is recognized. Adoni-bezek's confession, "as I have done, so God hath requited me," testifies to the universal reach of God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of nations and individuals, dispensing justice according to His perfect will.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "threescore and ten kings" is an archaic way of saying seventy kings. The most impactful word here is "requited," from the Hebrew root shalem (שָׁלֵם), which conveys the idea of repayment, completion, or making whole. In this context, it specifically means to repay in kind, or to punish. It emphasizes a divine settling of accounts, where Adoni-bezek receives the just recompense for his deeds.

Practical Application

Judges 1:7 offers timeless insights for a modern audience:

  • Moral Accountability: It serves as a stark reminder that actions have consequences, and there is a divine principle of justice at work in the world. Cruelty, oppression, and injustice do not go unnoticed by God.
  • Recognizing God's Hand: Even in difficult or painful circumstances, this verse encourages us to consider how God might be working, bringing justice or fulfilling His purposes. Adoni-bezek, despite his wickedness, was able to see God's hand in his downfall.
  • The Cycle of Violence: While the verse depicts a brutal act of justice, it also implicitly warns against the cycle of vengeance. Israel's actions against Adoni-bezek, though divinely sanctioned retribution, reflect the harsh realities of the era. Believers today are called to a higher standard, exemplified by Christ's teachings on forgiveness and love (Matthew 5:44).

The death of Adoni-bezek in Jerusalem also foreshadows the future significance of this city, which would later become the capital of Israel under King David (2 Samuel 5:6-7).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:33 (6 votes)

    And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

  • James 2:13 (5 votes)

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • Luke 6:37 (5 votes)

    Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

  • Luke 6:38 (5 votes)

    Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

  • Leviticus 24:19 (5 votes)

    And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;

  • Leviticus 24:21 (5 votes)

    And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.

  • Revelation 13:10 (5 votes)

    He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.