Judges 9:42

KJV

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass on the morrow {H4283}, that the people {H5971} went out {H3318} into the field {H7704}; and they told {H5046} Abimelech {H40}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the very next day, the people went out into the field, and Avimelekh was told about it.

Berean Standard Bible

The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 9:42, though brief, marks a chilling turning point in the narrative of Abimelech's tyrannical reign over Shechem. Following his initial military maneuvers against Gaal and the city, this verse depicts the people of Shechem venturing out into their fields, seemingly resuming normal life. However, this seemingly innocuous act of daily routine is immediately reported to Abimelech, transforming a moment of perceived calm into the precise intelligence he needs to launch his final, devastating assault on the city, thereby setting the stage for the fulfillment of Jotham's curse and the tragic culmination of Abimelech's ruthless ambition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Abimelech's successful ambush and rout of Gaal and his Shechemite forces, which had been detailed in [Judges 9:39-41](/judges/9-39 "Judges 9:39-41 - Abimelech's Victory Over Gaal"). Abimelech, having driven Gaal back into the city, had then encamped near Shechem. The phrase "on the morrow" signifies the very next day, indicating Abimelech's relentless pursuit of his objectives and his strategic patience. The people's decision to go "out into the field" suggests either a desperate need to attend to their agricultural livelihoods or a dangerous miscalculation of security, believing the immediate threat had passed. The final clause, "and they told Abimelech," is pivotal, revealing that Abimelech had an intelligence network, likely through loyalists or spies within Shechem, which kept him informed of the city's vulnerable movements, enabling him to plan his next, more decisive, and utterly brutal attack. This sequence of events directly leads to the complete destruction of Shechem, fulfilling the prophetic curse uttered by Jotham earlier in the chapter, as found in [Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse on Shechem and Abimelech").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Shechem was a historically significant city in Israel, a place where Abraham built an altar ([Genesis 12:6-7](/genesis/12-6 "Genesis 12:6-7 - Abraham at Shechem")), Jacob settled ([Genesis 33:18-20](/genesis/33-18 "Genesis 33:18-20 - Jacob Buys Land at Shechem")), and where Joshua renewed the covenant with Israel ([Joshua 24:1-28](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")). During the period of the Judges, Israel was a tribal confederacy without a central king, often leading to internal strife and localized power struggles. Shechem, being a major city, would have had significant agricultural lands surrounding it, making "going out into the field" a common and necessary daily activity for its inhabitants. The vulnerability of a city's populace when outside its walls was well understood in ancient warfare. Abimelech's use of intelligence and his swift, decisive action reflect the opportunistic and brutal nature of warfare in this decentralized era, where personal ambition often trumped tribal solidarity or covenantal loyalty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Judges 9 and the book of Judges as a whole. Firstly, it underscores **Abimelech's Ruthlessness and Calculated Ambition**. He is not merely a warrior but a cunning strategist who exploits every weakness, relentlessly pursuing absolute power, as evidenced by his earlier murder of his seventy brothers to secure his rule ([Judges 9:5](/judges/9-5 "Judges 9:5 - Abimelech Murders His Brothers")). Secondly, it highlights the **Cycle of Violence and Retribution** that pervades the book of Judges. The treachery of Shechem in supporting Abimelech's bloody usurpation is now met with Abimelech's own treachery and violence against them. This reflects the broader pattern of Israel's apostasy leading to oppression, followed by a cry for deliverance, and often, further moral decay. Finally, the verse subtly advances the theme of **Divine Justice Unfolding**. While human actions appear to drive the narrative, the events are providentially guided towards the fulfillment of Jotham's curse, which declared that fire would come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem, and fire would come out from Shechem and consume Abimelech ([Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse on Shechem and Abimelech")). The people's seemingly mundane act of going to the fields unwittingly plays into God's plan for judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Morrow (Hebrew, _machar'_):** This word signifies "the next day" or "tomorrow." Its use here is crucial as it emphasizes the immediate continuation of Abimelech's campaign. There is no pause or cessation of hostilities; the conflict is relentless. It highlights Abimelech's strategic mindset, not resting on his previous success but immediately planning the next phase of his destructive agenda, capitalizing on the temporary lull and the people's false sense of security.
* **Told (Hebrew, _yaggidu'_):** This verb, derived from the root נָגַד (nagad), means "to tell," "to report," or "to inform." While grammatically it could imply the people telling Abimelech, the context overwhelmingly indicates that Abimelech was *informed about* the people's movements. This strongly suggests the presence of spies or loyalists within Shechem who were feeding intelligence to Abimelech. This nuance is vital, as it reveals Abimelech's sophisticated and treacherous method of warfare, relying on internal betrayal to gain a decisive advantage over a complacent populace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass on the morrow":** This introductory phrase establishes the immediate temporal setting, signaling that the events described are a direct and swift continuation of the previous day's conflict. It emphasizes Abimelech's relentless pursuit of his goal, leaving no time for the Shechemites to fully recover or re-strategize after their initial defeat.
* **"that the people went out into the field;":** This clause describes the seemingly ordinary action of the Shechemite populace. "The field" refers to the agricultural lands surrounding the city. Their venturing out suggests either a return to daily labor, a desperate attempt to secure food, or a dangerous misjudgment of the lingering threat, perhaps believing that Abimelech had withdrawn or that the immediate danger had passed after Gaal's defeat. It portrays a moment of vulnerability and a return to routine that would prove fatal.
* **"and they told Abimelech.":** This final, concise clause is the pivotal point of the verse. It reveals that Abimelech was immediately apprised of the Shechemites' movements. This intelligence, gathered likely through his network of spies or sympathizers within the city, provided him with the critical information needed to launch his final, devastating surprise attack, turning the people's vulnerability into his strategic advantage.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 9:42, despite its brevity, employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the seemingly mundane act of going to the fields, coupled with the immediate reporting to Abimelech, subtly but powerfully signals the impending doom for Shechem. The calm before the storm is palpable, and the reader knows that Abimelech's next move will be decisive and destructive. There is also a strong element of **Irony**. The people, perhaps seeking a return to normalcy or engaging in necessary agricultural tasks, unwittingly walk into a trap, their actions directly facilitating their own destruction. This highlights the tragic consequences of their earlier betrayal and their current complacency. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Narrative Economy**, conveying immense significance with minimal words. Each phrase is packed with meaning, moving the plot forward with chilling efficiency and setting the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of Jotham's curse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within the broader narrative of Judges 9, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of human depravity, unchecked ambition, and the rejection of divine order. The Shechemites, having chosen a ruthless, self-appointed king in Abimelech over God's appointed leaders, now face the bitter fruit of their choice. Their complacency in returning to the fields, despite the palpable threat, highlights a spiritual blindness that often accompanies a society adrift from God. The swift and precise reporting to Abimelech underscores the ever-present danger of internal corruption and the insidious nature of sin's consequences, which often manifest through human agents. Ultimately, this passage illustrates how God, in His sovereign justice, can use the very actions and choices of wicked individuals and complacent communities to bring about His righteous judgment, even when those involved are unaware of their role in His larger plan.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Pit They Dug")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 9:42 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to cultivate spiritual vigilance and discernment in a world often characterized by deceptive appearances and hidden dangers. The people of Shechem's return to "normalcy" after a major conflict, only to be betrayed by their own movements, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual complacency. We can easily become accustomed to a certain level of spiritual warfare or temptation, only to let down our guard in seemingly mundane moments, making ourselves vulnerable to the enemy's schemes. This verse calls us to recognize that true security and peace are found not in human cunning or military might, but in constant reliance on God's protection and guidance. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we sufficiently discerning of the spiritual climate around us? Are we relying on worldly strategies or divine wisdom? The narrative of Abimelech's reign, culminating in this strategic intelligence, reminds us that the pursuit of power and self-interest, whether in individuals or communities, inevitably leads to destruction, highlighting the critical importance of choosing leaders and living lives rooted in godly character and justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the seemingly ordinary act of "going out into the field" become a critical moment in the unfolding judgment against Shechem, and what does this teach us about the significance of our daily actions?**
* **What spiritual dangers might arise from a false sense of security or complacency, as exemplified by the people of Shechem?**
* **How does Abimelech's use of intelligence and his relentless ambition contrast with the qualities of a godly leader, and what implications does this have for leadership today?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be susceptible to spiritual "spies" or internal betrayals that could expose us to harm?**

### FAQ

**Who were "the people" mentioned in Judges 9:42, and why were they going "out into the field"?**

Answer: "The people" refer to the citizens of Shechem. They were likely going out into the field to resume their agricultural work, which was essential for their sustenance. Despite the recent conflict and Abimelech's presence, they may have felt a false sense of security after Gaal's defeat, or simply had no other choice but to attend to their crops and livestock. This act of returning to daily routine unwittingly exposed them to Abimelech's strategic planning.

**How did Abimelech "know" that the people of Shechem had gone out into the field?**

Answer: The text states "and they told Abimelech," implying that Abimelech was informed about their movements. This strongly suggests that he had an intelligence network in place, likely consisting of spies or loyalists within Shechem who were secretly working for him. This surveillance allowed him to exploit the Shechemites' vulnerability and plan his subsequent devastating attack on the city.

**Why is this seemingly minor verse so significant in the larger narrative of Judges 9?**

Answer: Judges 9:42 is pivotal because it marks the precise moment Abimelech gains the critical intelligence needed to launch his final, decisive assault on Shechem. It transforms a period of relative calm into the immediate prelude to utter destruction. It highlights Abimelech's cunning and relentless nature, the Shechemites' fatal complacency, and serves as the direct trigger for the fulfillment of Jotham's curse against both Abimelech and the people of Shechem, as prophesied in [Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse on Shechem and Abimelech").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Judges 9:42, with its depiction of a ruthless usurper, a complacent people, and the unfolding of divine judgment, powerfully anticipates the need for a true and righteous King—Jesus Christ. Abimelech's reign, founded on murder and sustained by treachery, represents the futility and destructiveness of human attempts at self-rule apart from God. His ambition, leading to the slaughter of his brothers and the devastation of Shechem, stands in stark contrast to the reign of the [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace"), Jesus, whose kingdom is not built on violence or deceit but on righteousness, justice, and self-sacrifice ([Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Increase of His Government")). While Abimelech exploited the vulnerability of his people, Christ, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep, offering them true security and eternal rest, unlike the false peace that led Shechem to its demise ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The divine judgment that falls upon Shechem and Abimelech in Judges 9 foreshadows the ultimate, righteous judgment of God, which will one day be executed by Christ Himself, but also points to His redemptive work on the cross, where He bore the judgment for humanity's sin, offering salvation to all who trust in Him, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In Christ, we find the true King who brings genuine peace and deliverance, not through the sword of human ambition, but through the cross of divine love.

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.