Judges 9:43
And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people [were] come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
And he took {H3947} the people {H5971}, and divided {H2673} them into three {H7969} companies {H7218}, and laid wait {H693} in the field {H7704}, and looked {H7200}, and, behold, the people {H5971} were come forth {H3318} out of the city {H5892}; and he rose up {H6965} against them, and smote {H5221} them.
He took his men, divided them into three groups, and lay in wait in the field. When he saw the people going out of the city, he came out of hiding and slaughtered them.
So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.
And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
Cross-References
No cross-references found.
Commentary
Context of Judges 9:43
Judges 9:43 is part of the tumultuous narrative concerning Abimelech, the ambitious son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who sought to establish himself as king over Israel. Unlike his father, who refused kingship (Judges 8:23), Abimelech brutally murdered 69 of his 70 brothers to seize power in Shechem (Judges 9:5). This chapter details the escalating conflict, beginning with a rebellion in Shechem against Abimelech, which he violently suppressed. After destroying Shechem, Abimelech turned his attention to Thebez, another city that had rebelled or was perceived as a threat. Verse 43 describes a specific phase of Abimelech's military campaign against Thebez, showcasing his tactical approach in besieging the city.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "laid wait" comes from the Hebrew verb 'arav (ืึธืจึทื), which means "to lie in ambush," "to set a trap," or "to lurk." This emphasizes the premeditated and deceptive nature of Abimelech's attack. The term "smote them" (Hebrew nakah, ื ึธืึธื) is a common biblical verb for striking, hitting, or decisively defeating in battle, often leading to death.
Strategic Insights
Abimelech's tactic of dividing his forces into three companies was a proven method for ancient armies, notably employed by Gideon, Abimelech's father, in his famous victory over the Midianites (Judges 7:16). This strategy allowed for a multi-directional assault or a coordinated surprise attack, maximizing confusion and impact. By positioning his companies in the field, Abimelech was able to intercept and overwhelm the people of Thebez as they ventured outside their city walls, likely for defense or a counter-attack.
Practical Application
While Judges 9:43 describes a historical military engagement, it offers insights into the nature of conflict and strategy. In a broader sense, it reminds us of the importance of vigilance and preparedness, whether facing literal adversaries or spiritual challenges. The narrative of Abimelech as a whole serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition and the destructive path of violence, reminding believers to seek justice and peace rather than personal gain through aggression. We are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) in navigating the complexities of life, understanding the tactics of opposition while maintaining our integrity.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.