50 And Abimelech goeth unto Thebez, and encampeth against Thebez, and captureth it, 51 and a strong tower hath been in the midst of the city, and thither flee do all the men and the women, and all the masters of the city, and they shut 'it' behind them, and go up on the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech cometh unto the tower, and fighteth against it, and draweth nigh unto the opening of the tower to burn it with fire, 53 and a certain woman doth cast a piece of a rider on the head of Abimelech, and breaketh his skull, 54 and he calleth hastily unto the young man bearing his weapons, and saith to him, 'Draw thy sword, and thou hast put me to death, lest they say of me—A woman slew him;' and his young man pierced him through, and he dieth. 55 And the men of Israel see that Abimelech 'is' dead, and go each one to his place; 56 and God turneth back the evil of Abimelech which he did to his father to slay his seventy brethren; 57 and all the evil of the men of Shechem hath God turned back on their head, and come unto them doth the cursing of Jotham son of Jerubbaal.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 9:50-57
Commentary on Judges 9:50-57
(Read Judges 9:50-57)
The Shechemites were ruined by Abimelech; now he is reckoned with, who was their leader in villany. Evil pursues sinners, and sometimes overtakes them, when not only at ease, but triumphant. Though wickedness may prosper a while, it will not prosper always. The history of mankind, if truly told, would greatly resemble that of this chapter. The records of what are called splendid events present to us such contests for power. Such scenes, though praised of men, fully explain the Scripture doctrine of the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the human heart, the force of men's lust, and the effect of Satan's influence. Lord, thou has given us thy word of truth and righteousness, O pour upon us thy spirit of purity, peace, and love, and write thy holy law in our hearts.