Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 28. Sichem. Why should this ancient city be thus degraded? This son of Jerobaal deigns not to reside among us, but sets one of his servants over us! Bible.—He mentions Jerobaal instead of Gedeon, to remind the people of the indignity formerly offered to their great idol, by the father of their present ruler. Menochius.—Hebrew may have another sense. “Who is Abimelech?… Is he not the son of Jerobaal, and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hemor,” and so forth It seems that Gaal was of the race of Chanaan, by the manner in which he speaks of Hemor, whose history is given, Genesis 34. Many of the same nations might still inhabit Sichem, ( Calmet.) which made the people so bold and zealous in the adoration of Baal. Bible.—The insidious Gaal hence takes occasion to propose to his countrymen, that they had better acknowledge the authority of their ancient magistrates, who occupied the place of Hemor. Calmet.—But he immediately insinuates, that the most effectual method to expel the tyrant, would be to vest him with the sovereign authority. Bible. verse 29.—The party of Abimelech was now the weaker. Calmet.