Judges 9:47

KJV

And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} Abimelech {H40}, that all the men {H1167} of the tower {H4026} of Shechem {H7927} were gathered together {H6908}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avimelekh was told that all the men from the Sh'khem fortress had gathered together;

Berean Standard Bible

And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,

American Standard Version

And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 9:47 reports the critical intelligence received by Abimelech: the remaining men of Shechem, having survived the city's destruction, have consolidated their forces within the formidable tower of Shechem. This pivotal moment sets the stage for Abimelech's final, brutal assault on those who once supported his rise to power, illustrating the escalating violence and the imminent, grim fulfillment of Jotham's prophetic curse against both Abimelech and the treacherous Shechemites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 9:47 immediately follows Abimelech's brutal and comprehensive destruction of the city of Shechem, as detailed in [Judges 9:45](/judges/9-45 "Judges 9:45 - Abimelech Destroys Shechem"), where he not only slew its inhabitants and beat down its walls but also symbolically sowed it with salt to render it barren. The preceding verse, [Judges 9:46](/judges/9-46 "Judges 9:46 - Shechemites Flee to the Tower of El-berith"), specifies that "all the men of the tower of Shechem" (or "the stronghold of the house of El-berith") had already fled there. This verse, therefore, serves as the direct intelligence report to Abimelech, confirming the location of the remaining Shechemite survivors and prompting his next strategic move. It marks a crucial transition in the narrative from the general devastation of the city to the specific siege of its last bastion of resistance, directly leading to the horrific act of burning the tower and its occupants.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Shechem was an ancient and highly significant city in central Canaan, strategically located in the valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It boasted a rich history, including being a site of covenant renewal for Israel ([Joshua/24](/joshua/24 "Joshua 24 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")) and a vital tribal center. The "tower of Shechem" (or "stronghold of the house of El-berith") likely refers to a heavily fortified temple complex dedicated to "El-berith" or "Baal-berith," a prominent local deity. Such temple-fortresses were common in the ancient Near East, functioning as both religious centers and secure places of refuge during times of conflict. The act of "gathering together" implies a desperate last stand, a common defensive tactic when a city's primary defenses had fallen. Abimelech's campaign reflects the brutal reality of warfare in this period, where the total destruction of rebellious cities was not uncommon, often involving the slaughter of inhabitants and the symbolic sowing of salt to curse the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores the theme of **divine retribution** and the **inevitable consequences of treachery**. Abimelech's ascent to power was predicated on the massacre of his seventy brothers ([Judges 9:5](/judges/9-5 "Judges 9:5 - Abimelech's Massacre")), a heinous crime in which the men of Shechem were complicit. Jotham's prophetic parable ([Judges 9:7-21](/judges/9-7 "Judges 9:7 - Jotham's Parable of the Trees")) explicitly foretold the mutual destruction of Abimelech and Shechem, a prophecy now reaching its grim fulfillment. The "evil spirit" sent by God between Abimelech and the men of Shechem ([Judges 9:23](/judges/9-23 "Judges 9:23 - God Sends an Evil Spirit")) highlights God's active role in orchestrating justice and bringing about the downfall of the wicked. The verse also contributes to the broader theme of the **futility of ungodly ambition** and the **chaos and moral decay characteristic of the Judges period**, where human leadership, devoid of genuine divine guidance, leads to cycles of violence, instability, and self-destruction, contrasting sharply with God's intended order for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Told (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** This primitive root verb, H5046, means "to front," "to stand boldly out opposite," and causatively, "to manifest" or "to announce." In this context, it signifies the immediate and crucial communication of vital intelligence to Abimelech. It implies that scouts or soldiers reported the precise location of the remaining Shechemite resistance, enabling Abimelech to plan his next, decisive move. The verb emphasizes the direct and actionable nature of the information conveyed.
* **Tower (Hebrew, _migdâl'_):** Derived from H4026, meaning "to be great" or "to be high," this noun refers to a fortified structure, a stronghold, or a citadel. In ancient Near Eastern cities, a `migdâl` represented the strongest defensive point, often integrated into or serving as a temple complex (as implied by "house of El-berith" in [Judges 9:46](/judges/9-46 "Judges 9:46 - The Stronghold of El-berith")). Its mention here underscores the desperate nature of the Shechemites' flight and their hope for a final, impenetrable refuge against Abimelech's onslaught.
* **Gathered together (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** This primitive root verb, H6908, means "to grasp" or "to collect." It conveys the sense of a concentrated effort by the surviving men to consolidate their forces and seek collective safety within the tower. This action highlights their unified, albeit desperate, attempt to resist Abimelech's onslaught, signaling their intent to make a final, collective stand rather than disperse and be hunted down individually.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told Abimelech":** This passive construction highlights that the information reached Abimelech, likely through his reconnaissance forces who had surveyed the devastated city. It underscores the efficiency of his intelligence gathering and the precision with which he pursued his enemies, leaving no stone unturned in his campaign of vengeance.
* **"that all the men of the tower of Shechem":** This clause precisely identifies the target and the extent of the remaining resistance. "All the men" suggests that the entire male population capable of fighting or posing a threat had converged on this single, fortified location. The "tower of Shechem" pinpoints their specific, final refuge, setting the immediate stage for the next phase of the battle and emphasizing the concentration of the remaining enemy forces.
* **"were gathered together":** This phrase confirms their collective action and desperate strategy. They had not dispersed but had consolidated their numbers in the strongest available defensive structure, indicating their unified intent to make a final, desperate stand against Abimelech's relentless pursuit. It signifies a last-ditch effort at survival and resistance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Foreshadowing** by setting the immediate stage for the dramatic and tragic events that follow, as Abimelech will soon attack and burn this very tower, consuming its inhabitants. The phrase "all the men of the tower" also utilizes **Synecdoche**, where "the tower" functions as a part representing the whole—the entire fortified complex or the last remaining stronghold of Shechem, and by extension, the last vestiges of Shechemite resistance. The narrative's rapid progression from the destruction of the city to the precise report of the survivors' location creates a palpable sense of **Urgency** and impending doom, emphasizing the relentless nature of Abimelech's pursuit and the Shechemites' increasingly desperate and hopeless situation. There is also a profound **Irony** at play: the very people who elevated Abimelech to power and were complicit in his initial crimes are now cornered by him in their last refuge, thereby fulfilling the curse Jotham pronounced upon them both.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 9:47 serves as a stark illustration of the biblical principle that "what goes around comes around," particularly in the context of divine justice. The Shechemites, who had actively participated in Abimelech's bloody coup and the murder of Gideon's sons, now find themselves trapped and facing destruction at the hands of the very tyrant they elevated. This narrative powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over human affairs, even when those affairs are marked by extreme wickedness and chaos. The events are not merely random acts of violence but are presented as the unfolding of God's judgment, fulfilling the prophetic curse uttered by Jotham. It underscores the biblical truth that sin, especially treachery, violence, and unrighteous ambition, carries its own inherent destructive consequences, and that God will ultimately bring justice, often through the very instruments of wickedness themselves.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom")
* [Psalm 7:16](/psalms/7-16 "Psalm 7:16 - The Wicked's Own Mischief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim scene depicted in Judges 9:47 offers profound lessons for contemporary life, reminding us that alliances forged on ambition, treachery, or shared sin are inherently unstable and ultimately self-destructive. Just as Abimelech and the Shechemites turned on each other in a spiral of violence, so too do relationships built on unrighteous foundations inevitably crumble, leading to bitter and often tragic consequences. This passage challenges us to examine the foundations of our own allegiances—whether in personal relationships, business dealings, or political affiliations. Are they rooted in truth, justice, and righteousness, or are they motivated by self-interest, power, or compromise? The narrative also serves as a sobering reminder that while God's justice may seem delayed, it is never denied. Every action, good or evil, has consequences, and God's moral order will ultimately prevail. This truth should inspire us to live with integrity, knowing that our choices have far-reaching implications, and to trust in God's ultimate justice even when chaos seems to reign in the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I ensure that my alliances and relationships are built on righteous principles rather than self-serving ambition or compromise?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be sowing seeds that could lead to destructive consequences, either for myself or for others?**
* **How does the concept of divine retribution in this passage shape my understanding of God's character and His active role in bringing justice to the world today?**

### FAQ
**What was the "tower of Shechem" and why was it significant?**

Answer: The "tower of Shechem" (Hebrew: `Migdal Shechem`) was a fortified stronghold, likely a citadel or a strong defensive tower located within or adjacent to the city. [Judges 9:46](/judges/9-46 "Judges 9:46 - The Stronghold of El-berith") identifies it more specifically as "the stronghold of the house of El-berith" (or Baal-berith), suggesting it was a fortified temple complex dedicated to a local deity. Its significance lay in its being the last, most secure refuge for the remaining inhabitants of Shechem after the city itself had been destroyed by Abimelech. It represented their final hope for survival and resistance, making its capture a decisive and climactic moment in Abimelech's campaign of vengeance.

**How does this verse relate to Jotham's prophecy?**

Answer: This verse directly contributes to the grim fulfillment of Jotham's prophetic parable, found in [Judges 9:7-21](/judges/9-7 "Judges 9:7 - Jotham's Parable of the Trees"). Jotham had warned the men of Shechem that if they had not acted in good faith by making Abimelech king, then "fire will come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo, and fire will come out from the men of Shechem and the house of Millo and devour Abimelech" ([Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse Fulfilled")). The gathering of the Shechemites in the tower, and Abimelech's subsequent attack on it, precisely sets up the "fire" that will consume them. This event is a crucial step in the unfolding of God's judgment, which will also ultimately consume Abimelech himself ([Judges 9:53-54](/judges/9-53 "Judges 9:53 - Abimelech's Death")), demonstrating the reciprocal nature of divine retribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judges 9:47 vividly describes a scene of brutal human conflict and divine judgment in the Old Testament, it indirectly points to humanity's profound need for a true and righteous King, a need ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Abimelech's reign, marked by violence, treachery, and self-serving ambition, stands in stark contrast to the benevolent, self-sacrificial kingship of Christ. The chaos and destruction in Shechem highlight the futility of human attempts to establish lasting peace and justice apart from God's perfect rule. Jesus, the true Son of David, did not come to destroy cities or to establish His kingdom through bloodshed and political maneuvering, but through humble service and ultimate sacrifice. He is the [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace") who brings genuine reconciliation, not cycles of vengeance. Unlike Abimelech, who sought to save his own life and power, Christ willingly laid down His life, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby breaking the cycle of sin and death that plagued humanity. His kingdom is not of this world, established by force, but a spiritual kingdom built on truth, grace, and righteousness ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). The desperate flight of the Shechemites to a physical tower for refuge foreshadows humanity's inherent need for a secure refuge, a need met not in a stone fortress, but in the [strong tower of the Lord's name](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower"), which is Christ Himself, our ultimate and eternal sanctuary from sin and judgment.

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.