Judges 9:55

And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

And when the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} saw {H7200} that Abimelech {H40} was dead {H4191}, they departed {H3212} every man {H376} unto his place {H4725}.

When the men of Isra'el saw that Avimelekh was dead, they all went back home.

And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.

And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

Commentary

Judges 9:55 marks the concise conclusion to the violent and chaotic reign of Abimelech, the self-proclaimed king of Shechem. This verse highlights the immediate aftermath of his death, emphasizing the swift dissolution of his short-lived authority and the return to the decentralized tribal structure of Israel during the period of the Judges.

Context

The narrative leading up to this verse is one of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed. Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) by a concubine, ruthlessly murdered seventy of his half-brothers on one stone, seeking to establish himself as king over Shechem. Only Jotham, the youngest, escaped and delivered a powerful parable of the trees, prophesying the destructive end that would befall Abimelech and the people of Shechem. Abimelech's death itself was ignominious; mortally wounded by a millstone dropped by a woman from the tower of Thebez, he commanded his armor-bearer to finish him off to avoid the shame of being killed by a woman (Judges 9:53-54). Upon seeing his demise, the Israelite forces, who had been involved in the siege against him, dispersed.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Retribution: Abimelech's violent end is presented as a direct consequence and divine judgment for his heinous acts, particularly the murder of his brothers. It underscores the principle that those who sow discord and violence will reap destruction.
  • The Fragility of Unrighteous Power: Abimelech's reign, built on murder and usurpation, quickly collapses upon his death. This illustrates the temporary and unstable nature of power gained through illegitimate means, lacking divine endorsement or true popular support.
  • Return to Normalcy (or Chaos): The phrase "departed every man unto his place" signifies the immediate cessation of conflict and the return of individuals to their homes and tribal territories. It reflects the decentralized and often fragmented state of Israel during the Judges period, where there was "no king in Israel" and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "departed every man unto his place" (וַיֵּלְכוּ אִישׁ לִמְקֹמוֹ, vayyelḵū ’îš limqōmō) is simple yet profound. It emphasizes the immediate dispersal and lack of a cohesive, unified national structure. There was no established successor, no standing army, and no central government to maintain order beyond the immediate conflict. The people simply returned to their individual tribal spheres, highlighting the absence of true national leadership in this era.

Practical Application

Judges 9:55 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unbridled ambition and the pursuit of power through unrighteous means. Abimelech's story is a cautionary tale, illustrating that divine justice, though sometimes delayed, ultimately prevails. For believers, it reinforces the truth that true authority comes from God, and lasting peace and order are found not in human schemes but in adherence to His principles. It also speaks to the importance of discerning true leadership from those who seek self-glory, and the ultimate futility of building a kingdom on violence and deceit.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:35 (2 votes)

    And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

  • 1 Kings 22:36 (2 votes)

    And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

  • 2 Samuel 18:16 (2 votes)

    And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

  • Proverbs 22:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

  • 2 Samuel 20:21 (2 votes)

    The matter [is] not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, [even] against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.

  • 2 Samuel 20:22 (2 votes)

    Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast [it] out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.