Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:29
And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
29. And he said ] Read with a slight change and I would say, so LXX; cf. Jdg 9:38.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 29. Would to God this people were under my hand] The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue.
Increase thine army, and come out.] When he found his party strong, and the public feeling warped to his side, then he appears to have sent a challenge to Abimelech, to come out and fight him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Under my hand, i.e. under my command; I wish you would unanimously submit to me, as your captain and governor; for he found them divided, and some of them hearkening after Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour.
Then would I remove Abimelech; as you have driven him out of your city, I would drive him out of your country.
He said to Abimelech; he sent this message or challenge to him, I desire not to surprise thee at any disadvantage; strengthen thyself as much as thou canst, and come out into the open field, that thou and I may decide it by our arms.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And would to God this people were under my hand,…. Or government, that I were but the ruler of their city, and general of their forces:
then would I remove Abimelech; from his kingly office, and rid Shechem of him, and all the country round about, and indeed remove him out of the world:
and he said to Abimelech; as if he was present, in a hectoring and blustering manner; or he said what follows to his officer under him, that represented him; or he sent a messenger to him, saying,
increase thine army, and come out; bidding him defiance, challenging him to come into the open field and fight him, and bring as many forces along with him as he could or would, not doubting but he should be a match for him; and the men of Shechem would see they had nothing to fear from him, having such a man as Gaal at the head of them; this he said to engage the Shechemites to make him their ruler.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(29) Would to God this people were under my hand !Comp. 2Sa. 15:4.
And he said to Abimelech.The he said may be the impersonal idiom (comp. Jos. 7:26, &c.), meaning it was told (Vulg., Dictum est). It is less likely that he means Zebul, or that it is Gaals drunken vaunt to the absent Abimelech. Another reading is, And I would say to Abimelech, &c.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Under my hand The boastful language of one who yearns for political power. Compare 2Sa 15:4.
Increase thine army The noisy swaggerer, heated with wine, and still more intoxicated with the thirst for power, boldly challenges Abimelech to battle.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jdg 9:29 a
“And would to God this people were under my hand. Then would I remove Abimelech.”
Now Gaal made his appeal to the chief men of Shechem, whether as a Habiru leader or as a descendant of Hamor. If only he was appointed chief he would soon get rid of Abimelech.
Jdg 9:29 b
‘And he said to Abimelech, “Increase your army, and come out.” ’
We may see this as said to an absent adversary, spoken by a drunken leader from a distance into the air in the midst of the feast with a wave of the hand, but intended for Abimelech even though he could not hear it. It was a piece of impressive bravado. Its aim was to show that he was not afraid of Abimelech, even if he were to gather an even larger army. We must remember that they were all drunk.
The LXX changes to ‘I would say to Abimelech.’ This means the same but without the dramatic touch.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 9:29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
Ver. 29. And would to God this people, &c. ] This is the very voice of these quorum bibulas animas ambitionis possidet salsugo; witness Absalom, Julius Caesar, Phocas, &c.
And he said to Abimelech.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
would to God = would that. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6.
And he said. The Septuagint reads “and say”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
would to God: The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue. 2Sa 15:4, 1Ki 20:11, Psa 10:3, Rom 1:30, Rom 1:31
And he said: Rather, “and I would say to Abimelech,” as the LXX renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him.
Increase thine army: 2Sa 2:14-17, 2Ki 14:8, 2Ki 18:23, Isa 36:8, Isa 36:9
Reciprocal: Jdg 9:38 – General 1Sa 21:3 – under thine Pro 20:18 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 9:29. Under my hand That is, under my command; I wish you would unanimously submit to me, as your captain and governor; for he found them divided; and some of them inclining toward Abimelech, whom they had lately rejected, according to the levity of the popular humour. I would remove As you have driven him out of your city, I would drive him out of your country. He said He sent this message or challenge to him. Increase thine army I desire not to surprise thee at any disadvantage; strengthen thyself as much as thou canst, and come out into the open field, that thou and I may decide it by our arms.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9:29 And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to {k} Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
(k) Braggingly, as though he had been present, or to his captain Zebul.