Judges 9:19

KJV

If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, [then] rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

KJV (with Strong's)

If ye then have dealt {H6213} truly {H571} and sincerely {H8549} with Jerubbaal {H3378} and with his house {H1004} this day {H3117}, then rejoice {H8055} ye in Abimelech {H40}, and let him also rejoice {H8055} in you:

Complete Jewish Bible

I say this: if you are dealing honestly and righteously with Yeruba'al and his household today, then may you enjoy Avimelekh and may he enjoy you!

Berean Standard Bible

if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.

American Standard Version

if ye then have dealt truly and uprightly with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 9:19 stands as the climactic, ironic pronouncement within Jotham's Fable, delivered from Mount Gerizim to the people of Shechem. It is not a genuine blessing but a scathing, sarcastic challenge, daring them to "rejoice" in their newly installed king, Abimelech, if they truly believe they have acted with integrity and loyalty towards the house of Gideon (Jerubbaal). This verse functions as a prophetic curse, foreshadowing the inevitable mutual destruction that will befall Abimelech and the Shechemites due to their treacherous and unrighteous alliance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 9:19 is the culmination of Jotham's powerful and poignant Fable of the Trees, found in [Judges 9:7-15](/judges/9-7 "Judges 9:7-15 - Jotham's Fable of the Trees"). Following the fable, Jotham directly addresses the citizens of Shechem in [Judges 9:16-20](/judges/9-16 "Judges 9:16-20 - Jotham's Denunciation"), condemning their actions. This specific verse, [Judges 9:19](/judges/9-19 "Judges 9:19 - Jotham's Ironic Challenge"), serves as the ironic core of his denunciation. It directly references the horrific act of [Abimelech murdering his seventy half-brothers](/judges/9-5 "Judges 9:5 - Abimelech Massacres Gideon's Sons"), the sons of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), and the subsequent elevation of Abimelech to kingship by the Shechemites. Jotham, the sole surviving son of Gideon, delivers this pronouncement from the safety of Mount Gerizim, ensuring his words are heard before he flees (as noted in [Judges 9:21](/judges/9-21 "Judges 9:21 - Jotham Flees to Beer")). The verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of his curse, detailed later in [Judges 9:22-57](/judges/9-22 "Judges 9:22-57 - Abimelech's Reign and Downfall"), where Abimelech and the Shechemites indeed turn on each other, leading to their mutual demise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 12th-11th centuries BCE) was characterized by political fragmentation, moral decay, and a recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. As summarized in [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes"), "everyone did what was right in his own eyes," reflecting a lack of central authority and a departure from covenant faithfulness. Shechem was an ancient and significant city, a place of covenant renewal (as seen in [Joshua 24](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Joshua's Farewell Address and Covenant Renewal at Shechem")) but also a site where idolatry had taken root (evidenced in [Judges 8:33](/judges/8-33 "Judges 8:33 - Israel's Idolatry After Gideon's Death")). Gideon, or Jerubbaal, had previously refused kingship over Israel, stating that [the Lord alone should rule over them](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship"). Abimelech, Gideon's son by a concubine, represents a stark contrast to his father, seizing power through violence and treachery, a stark deviation from the divinely appointed leadership model. The Shechemites' support for Abimelech, despite his heinous crimes against Gideon's legitimate heirs, reveals a deep-seated opportunism and disregard for justice, reflecting the moral decline of the era.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 9:19 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Treachery and Ingratitude**, highlighting the Shechemites' profound betrayal of Gideon's family, who had previously delivered them from Midianite oppression. Despite Gideon's faithful service and his refusal of kingship, they chose to elevate a murderer who slaughtered his own kin. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Unrighteous Leadership**. Jotham implies that a kingdom founded on violence, injustice, and human ambition, like Abimelech's, cannot stand. The "rejoicing" will be short-lived, replaced by bitter conflict and ruin, serving as a potent warning against choosing leaders based on expediency rather than righteousness. Thirdly, it vividly portrays **Divine Justice and Retribution**. While not explicitly stated as God's direct action in this specific verse, Jotham's prophecy implicitly points to the principle that God will not allow such wickedness to go unpunished. The treachery will ultimately consume those who committed it, as seen in the later events of [Judges 9:56-57](/judges/9-56 "Judges 9:56-57 - Fulfillment of Jotham's Curse"). Finally, the verse is a prime example of **Ironic Blessing and Prophetic Curse**, where Jotham's "rejoice ye" is deeply sarcastic, pronouncing a curse that their unnatural alliance will bring about mutual destruction, rather than genuine joy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Truly (Hebrew, _'emet'_):** This word signifies truth, faithfulness, reliability, and integrity. Jotham's use of "truly" here is profoundly ironic. He is challenging the Shechemites to consider if their actions towards Gideon's family truly embodied these virtues. The implication is that they have acted with anything but truth and faithfulness, making their subsequent "rejoicing" in Abimelech a hollow and illegitimate celebration.
* **Sincerely (Hebrew, _tamim'_):** Meaning complete, perfect, blameless, or innocent. When paired with "truly," it emphasizes a comprehensive integrity and moral uprightness. Jotham's rhetorical question forces the Shechemites to confront the stark contrast between how they *should* have dealt with Gideon's house—with blamelessness and integrity, acknowledging his selfless service and his [refusal of kingship](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship")—and how they *actually* dealt with them, through betrayal, murder, and the elevation of a tyrant. The irony highlights the depth of their sin and moral corruption.
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _samach'_):** To be glad, joyful, to exult. In a normal context, this word expresses genuine happiness and celebration. However, in Jotham's mouth, it is a bitter, sarcastic command. He is not wishing them joy; rather, he is prophesying that any "rejoicing" they experience in their unholy alliance with Abimelech will be short-lived and will ultimately turn to sorrow, conflict, and mutual destruction. It is a pronouncement of inevitable doom disguised as an invitation to celebrate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day,"**: This opening clause establishes a conditional premise, which Jotham immediately subverts through irony. The phrase "truly and sincerely" (Hebrew: _'emet w'tamim'_) implies integrity, loyalty, and blamelessness in their dealings. Jotham knows full well that the Shechemites have done the exact opposite: they have betrayed Gideon (Jerubbaal), who delivered them from oppression, and supported Abimelech in the brutal murder of Gideon's legitimate sons. "This day" emphasizes the immediate and fresh nature of their treachery, making their actions undeniably clear. The conditional "If" therefore functions as a rhetorical challenge, highlighting the gaping chasm between their actions and any claim to righteousness.
* **"[then] rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:"**: This is the sarcastic imperative and the core of Jotham's prophetic curse. If their actions had indeed been "true and sincere," then genuine rejoicing would be appropriate. But since they were treacherous, this "rejoicing" is a veiled pronouncement of impending doom. It implies a false and fleeting joy that will inevitably turn into mutual animosity and destruction. The reciprocal nature of the "rejoicing" ("rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you") foreshadows the reciprocal nature of their downfall. Their unholy alliance, founded on violence and betrayal, will consume both parties. This is not a wish for happiness but a grim prediction that their shared wickedness will lead to shared ruin, a bitter fruit of their own making.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Judges 9:19 is **Irony**. Jotham employs a profound and biting irony, using words like "truly," "sincerely," and "rejoice" in a way that means the exact opposite of their literal sense. He is not genuinely inviting them to celebrate; rather, he is sarcastically highlighting the egregious nature of their betrayal and the hypocrisy of their actions. This irony is closely linked to **Sarcasm**, as Jotham's tone is clearly mocking and accusatory, designed to expose the Shechemites' moral bankruptcy. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful piece of **Prophecy** and **Foreshadowing**. The "rejoicing" is not a wish for present happiness but a grim prediction of future conflict and mutual destruction between Abimelech and the people of Shechem, which indeed comes to pass later in the chapter. The entire statement can also be seen as a **Rhetorical Question** or a conditional statement that functions as a challenge, forcing the audience to confront the glaring contradiction between their actions and any pretense of righteousness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 9:19 serves as a theological anchor, illustrating the profound biblical principle that actions have consequences, especially when those actions are rooted in treachery, violence, and a disregard for justice. Jotham's ironic "blessing" is, in essence, a divine pronouncement of judgment, demonstrating that God allows sin to consume itself. The Shechemites' choice to elevate a murderer like Abimelech, despite Gideon's faithful service and his humble refusal of kingship, highlights the dangers of human ambition and the rejection of righteous leadership. This episode underscores that true joy and lasting peace cannot be built on foundations of injustice and bloodshed. Instead, such unholy alliances inevitably lead to mutual destruction, a clear testament to the moral order of the universe upheld by a righteous God.

* [Judges 9:56-57](/judges/9-56 "Judges 9:56-57 - Fulfillment of Jotham's Curse")
* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - You Reap What You Sow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jotham's biting irony in Judges 9:19 offers timeless lessons for discerning genuine leadership, understanding the nature of true community, and recognizing the inevitable consequences of unrighteous choices. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and temporary gains, urging us to evaluate alliances and leaders based on their integrity, justice, and faithfulness, rather than on their perceived power or ability to deliver immediate, self-serving benefits. The "rejoicing" that Jotham sarcastically offers is a stark reminder that joy built on betrayal, violence, or injustice is fleeting and ultimately corrosive. True and lasting joy comes from righteous living, faithful relationships, and adherence to God's principles. This passage calls us to examine our own loyalties and affiliations, asking whether our choices are founded on truth and sincerity, or on expediency and compromise that could lead to mutual ruin. It serves as a powerful warning against the allure of unholy alliances, reminding us that integrity matters, and that the seeds of treachery inevitably yield a bitter harvest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern genuine alliances and leadership from those built on selfish motives, violence, or a disregard for justice?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to "rejoice" in unrighteousness or compromise for temporary gain, and what are the potential long-term consequences of such choices?**
* **What does Jotham's prophecy teach us about the principle of divine justice and the ultimate outcome of betrayal and violence?**
* **How can we cultivate integrity and faithfulness in our own lives, relationships, and communities, ensuring our actions align with truth and sincerity?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jotham speaking from Mount Gerizim?**

Answer: Mount Gerizim held profound symbolic significance in ancient Israel. It was one of the two mountains (along with Mount Ebal) designated by Moses for the public reading of the blessings and curses of the covenant (as commanded in [Deuteronomy 11:29](/deuteronomy/11-29 "Deuteronomy 11:29 - Mount Gerizim for Blessing, Mount Ebal for Curse") and fulfilled in [Joshua 8:33-34](/joshua/8-33 "Joshua 8:33-34 - Joshua Reads the Law at Mount Gerizim and Ebal")). By speaking from Mount Gerizim, traditionally associated with blessings, Jotham adds a layer of bitter irony to his pronouncement. His "blessing" is, in fact, a curse, highlighting the Shechemites' departure from covenant faithfulness and foreshadowing the judgment that will fall upon them. It also provided a strategic vantage point from which his voice could carry down to the city of Shechem, ensuring his prophetic words were heard clearly.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of kingship in Judges?**

Answer: Judges 9:19, and the entire narrative of Abimelech, serves as a crucial cautionary tale regarding the desire for human kingship outside of divine appointment and righteous principles. Gideon, Abimelech's father, had famously refused kingship, declaring that [the Lord alone should rule over Israel](/judges/8-23 "Judges 8:23 - Gideon Refuses Kingship"). Abimelech, in stark contrast, violently seizes power, establishing a self-serving, tyrannical rule. This episode vividly illustrates the dangers of a monarchy founded on human ambition, bloodshed, and treachery, rather than on God's will and justice. It foreshadows the later complexities and struggles Israel would face with its own monarchy, emphasizing that a king who does "what is right in his own eyes" (echoing [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes")) will lead to chaos and destruction, rather than true peace and prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jotham's ironic curse in Judges 9:19, where a false "rejoicing" leads to mutual destruction, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Abimelech's reign, founded on treachery and violence, stands in stark opposition to the kingdom of God, which is established on truth, righteousness, and sacrificial love. While Abimelech murdered his brothers to seize power, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly laid down His life for His enemies, not against them, to bring reconciliation and peace ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us While We Were Still Sinners")). The betrayal of Gideon's house by the Shechemites, leading to their downfall, foreshadows the ultimate betrayal of Christ by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own, and His Own Received Him Not")), yet His response was not a curse of mutual destruction but a path to redemption and eternal life. The fleeting, destructive "rejoicing" in Abimelech contrasts sharply with the true and abiding joy found in Christ, a joy that the world cannot give or take away ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - My Joy May Be in You"), [John 16:22](/john/16-22 "John 16:22 - Your Joy No One Will Take From You")). Jesus is the righteous King whose kingdom is not of this world, established not by violence but by divine authority and the power of truth ([John 18:36-37](/john/18-36 "John 18:36-37 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). He is the true and sincere King who dealt perfectly with humanity, offering salvation rather than judgment, and inviting us to rejoice in Him, a joy that leads to eternal life and true flourishing ([Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 8:6

Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

James 4:16

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.