Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:34
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that [were] with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night,…. According to the advice of Zebul:
and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies; he divided his army into four parts, which he placed on the four sides of the city, at some distance from it, to act as they should have opportunity, to find ways and means of getting into it on either quarter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
On receiving this intelligence, Abimelech rose up during the night with the people that were with him, i.e., with such troops as he had, and placed four companies (“heads” as in Jdg 7:16) in ambush against Shechem.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Civil War, vs. 34-45
Abimelech took the advice of Zebul so that he came to Shechem and had his men situated around the city before daylight the next morning. Gaal arose early, appearing in the city gate, with Zebu], about dawn, when it was still hard to distinguish objects. Pretty soon Gaal observed the movement of Abimelech’s men in the shadow of the mountain and remarked of it to Zebul. Zebul tried to convince him that it was the shadow of the mountains moving in the early sunlight. Soon however Gaal had no further reason to doubt. He observed columns of men converging on the city from two directions. When he remarked on this to Zebul, the ruler of the city made no further attempt to disillusion him. He scoffingly reminded Gaal of his boastful words about confronting Abimelech. This is now his chance.
So Gaal took the men of Shechem out against Abimelech and was soon put to the worse. They were chased all the way back to the city gate, and some were wounded. Zebul would no longer allow Gaal and his gang to remain in Shechem, but expelled him. The Shechemites were now left without leadership against Abimelech.
Perhaps the people of Shechem thought the occurrence was merely a skirmish, and now that Gaal is gone Abimelech will desist. but that wretch had determined to wipe out the city for their resistance to him. He waited late on the next morning, until the people expected no trouble. Then Abimelech arose and slaughtered them. when they attempted to return to the city, Abimelech’s company took the gates and kept them out. His other two companies then hemmed the helpless people in and killed them. The city of Shechem was put to the sword by Abimelech, its walls and houses beat down, and sowed with salt to make it an unfit place in which to live.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(34) Four companies.Literally, four heads. (Comp. Jdg. 7:16.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. Four companies So as to attack the city at different points.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.’
As Zebul had advised, Abimelech came up at night with four companies of men and took up their hidden positions outside the city.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 9:34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that [were] with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
Ver. 34. And Abimelech rose up by night.] According to Zebul’s advice. It is best not to need good counsel; and it is next best to take it when given. a
a Hesiod.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: 2Ki 5:2 – by companies