Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:40
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown [and] wounded, [even] unto the entering of the gate.
40. wounded ] i.e. mortally, so slain, 1Sa 31:1, 1Ch 5:22, 2Ch 13:17; cf. Jdg 16:24.
the entering of the gate ] Cf. Jdg 9:44. The city gateway ( sha‘ar) was a large building and covered a considerable space, cf. Jos 20:4, 1Ki 22:10; it included a high entrance ( ptha) and a door ( dleth), or doors, with posts and bars, Jdg 16:3. Abimelech did not enter the city, probably because he thought that the Shechemites had been punished enough. Zebul was now in a position to deal with Gaal and his following, Jdg 9:41.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He fled before him; being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and possibly not fully prepared for the encounter.
Many were overthrown and wounded, being pursued and overtaken by Abimelech.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him,…. Abimelech got the better of him in the battle, and obliged him to give way, and he pursued him closely as he was fleeing:
and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate; or, “they fell many wounded” k, or slain, as the Targum; that is, many were killed and wounded, as in the battle, so in the pursuit, and lay all the way to the entrance into the gate of the city, to which Gaal, and the men of Shechem, made for their safety, and got in.
k “et ceciderant vulnerati multi”, Pagninus, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(40) Abimelech chased him . . .He won a complete victory; but Gaal and his forces were able to secure themselves in Shechem. They succeeded in closing the gates against Abimelech, but only at the cost of many lives.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even to the entering of the gate.’
Defeated, Gaal and his troops retreated towards the gates, but in their retreat many fell wounded, until at last they reached the gates where men held them partly open until they were inside and obtained refuge. And then the gates were closed to keep out Abimelech and his men.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 9:40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown [and] wounded, [even] unto the entering of the gate.
Ver. 40. And he fled before him. ] Notwithstanding his great brags and insolent challenge. Those who vaunt most have oft the least courage: as those creatures which have the greatest hearts of flesh are the most timorous, as the stag, panther, hare, a &c.
a Diod.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he fled before: 1Ki 20:18-21, 1Ki 20:30