Dividing the People - Judges 9:43

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-three of Judges, we learn how Abimelech, “took the people, and divided them into three companies" where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, …” The writer began with the words, “and he took the people” which means “and he, Abimelech, fetched, lay hold of and seized his human beings”, “and divided them” which means “and separated them, his people” “into three companies” or “in three choice bands or groups”, “and laid wait in the field” which means “and lurked in ambush within the cultivated land an open country”, “and looked” or “and watched and observed”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” lay hold of his human beings, separated them into three groups, lurked in ambush and watched.

The verse goes on to say, “… and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.” The writer continued with the words, “and, behold” which means “and lo, look and consider”, “the people were come forth out of the city” or “the human beings departed from and exited the habitation, abode and dwelling place”; “and he rose up against them” which means “and he, Abimelech, stood, arose and established himself in opposition to the people”, “and smote them” or “and struck, hit, beat and killed them, the people”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” got up from his lurking in ambush in opposition to the people and beat and killed them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech” and his men took advantage of a position in opposition to the people of “Shechem”. He once again divided his people into groups, set an ambush in opposition to them, rose up when they departed the city of “Shechem” and attacked and killed them. “Shechem” was in opposition to “Gideon” and his family, and now they were facing opposition from Jehovah God. God invites everyone to receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and make us aware of His working among us and in opposition to His hating foes. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:28)

Next time we learn how “Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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