34 And Abimelech riseth, and all the people who 'are' with him, by night, and they lay wait against Shechem—four detachments; 35 and Gaal son of Ebed goeth out, and standeth at the opening of the gate of the city, and Abimelech riseth—also the people who 'are' with him—from the ambush, 36 and Gaal seeth the people, and saith unto Zebul, 'Lo, people are coming down from the top of the hills;' and Zebul saith unto him, 'The shadow of the hills thou art seeing like men.' 37 And Gaal addeth yet to speak, and saith, 'Lo, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.' 38 And Zebul saith unto him, 'Where 'is' now thy mouth, in that thou sayest, Who 'is' Abimelech that we serve him? is not this the people against which thou hast kicked? go out, I pray thee now, and fight against it.' 39 And Gaal goeth out before the masters of Shechem, and fighteth against Abimelech, 40 and Abimelech pursueth him, and he fleeth from his presence, and many fall wounded—unto the opening of the gate. 41 And Abimelech abideth in Arumah, and Zebul casteth out Gaal and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem. 42 And it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that the people go out to the field, and they declare 'it' to Abimelech, 43 and he taketh the people, and divideth them into three detachments, and layeth wait in a field, and looketh, and lo, the people are coming out from the city, and he riseth against them, and smiteth them. 44 And Abimelech and the detachments who 'are' with him have pushed on, and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have pushed against all who are in the field, and smite them, 45 and Abimelech hath fought against the city all that day, and captureth the city, and the people who 'are' in it he hath slain, and he breaketh down the city, and soweth it 'with' salt.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 9:34-45
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.