Judges 9:52

And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

And Abimelech {H40} came {H935} unto the tower {H4026}, and fought {H3898} against it, and went hard {H5066} unto the door {H6607} of the tower {H4026} to burn {H8313} it with fire {H784}.

However, when Avimelekh approached the tower, attacked it, and then came up close to the tower's door in order to burn it down,

When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.

And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and drew near unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

Commentary

Judges 9:52 describes a critical moment in the violent reign of Abimelech, the self-proclaimed king of Israel, as he continues his ruthless campaign against those who oppose him. This verse captures his aggressive siege tactics against the inhabitants of Thebez who had sought refuge in a fortified tower.

Context of Judges 9:52

This verse is part of the grim narrative detailing the consequences of Israel's desire for a king outside of God's timing and design. Abimelech, the ambitious son of Gideon by a concubine, had brutally murdered seventy of his brothers on one stone to seize power in Shechem, leaving only Jotham, the youngest, alive (Judges 9:5). After ruling for three years, a spirit of discord arose between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, leading to conflict. Abimelech had just destroyed Shechem and its tower, and now he pursued the remaining rebels to Thebez. The people of Thebez, like those in Shechem, fled to a strong tower within their city for protection. Abimelech's strategy was to burn down the tower's door, similar to how he destroyed the tower of Shechem in Judges 9:49, to force their surrender or kill them by fire.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Abimelech's Ruthlessness and Tyranny: The verse highlights Abimelech's unwavering determination to eliminate opposition through destructive means. His actions throughout Judges 9 exemplify the dangers of unchecked ambition and power.
  • Siege Warfare Tactics: Burning down gates or doors was a common and effective method of breaching fortified positions in ancient warfare. This shows Abimelech's military cunning, albeit used for wicked ends.
  • The Culmination of Abimelech's Reign: This specific act of aggression at Thebez is immediately followed by Abimelech's dramatic and ignominious death, serving as a swift and direct consequence of his violent life (Judges 9:53). It underscores the biblical principle that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "tower" is migdal (ืžึดื’ึฐื“ึผึทืœ), which denotes a strong, fortified structure, often a defensive stronghold within a city. The phrase "to burn it with fire" (ืœึฐืฉื‚ึธืจึฐืคึธื”ึผ ื‘ึผึธืึตืฉื, lesorpah ba'esh) emphasizes the destructive intent, a tactic of siege warfare aimed at forcing entry or causing a collapse. This action is a direct parallel to his previous siege methods, showcasing a pattern of brutal efficiency.

Practical Application

Judges 9:52, read in conjunction with the surrounding narrative, serves as a powerful cautionary tale:

  • The Perils of Unchecked Ambition: Abimelech's story warns against the pursuit of power through violence and deceit. His ultimate downfall reminds us that such paths often lead to destruction, both for the individual and for those they rule.
  • Divine Justice: While Abimelech seemed unstoppable in his cruelty, his end came swiftly and unexpectedly, demonstrating that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is ultimately certain. This narrative reinforces the idea that God holds rulers accountable for their actions.
  • Seeking True Refuge: The people sought refuge in a physical tower, which ultimately proved insufficient against Abimelech's wrath. Spiritually, this can remind believers that true and lasting refuge is found not in human strength or structures, but in God alone, as highlighted in passages like Psalm 18:2: "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer."
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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.

Cross-References

  • Judges 9:48

    And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that [were] with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid [it] on his shoulder, and said unto the people that [were] with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, [and] do as I [have done].

  • Judges 9:49

    And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put [them] to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

  • 2 Kings 14:10

    Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory [of this], and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to [thy] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?

  • 2 Kings 15:16

    Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that [were] therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not [to him], therefore he smote [it; and] all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.