39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
39 And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.
39 Gaal went out, backed by the leaders of Shechem, and did battle with Abimelech.
39 So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
39 So Gaal led the leading citizens of Shechem into battle against Abimelech.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 9:39
Commentary on Judges 9:30-49
(Read Judges 9:30-49)
Abimelech intended to punish the Schechemites for slighting him now, but God punished them for their serving him formerly in the murder of Gideon's sons. When God uses men as instruments in his hand to do his work, he means one thing, and they another. That, which they hoped would have been for their welfare, proved a snare and a trap, as those will certainly find, who run to idols for shelter; such will prove a refuge of lies.