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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 9:55 And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-55.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_09_55.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:55 - Abimelech's Punishment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/9-54.htm" title="Judges 9:54">◄</a> Judges 9:55 <a href="/judges/9-56.htm" title="Judges 9:56">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When Abimelech’s men saw that he was dead, they disbanded and returned to their homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed, every man to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each left for his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, so each went <i>away</i> to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And when the Israelite soldiers saw that their leader was dead, they went back home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the people of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When the men of Israel noticed that Abimelech was dead, they each left for home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed to his place. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men of Israel see that Abimelech [is] dead, and each one goes to his place;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the men of Israel see that Abimelech is dead, and go each one to his place;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the men of Israel will see that Abimelech died, and they will go each to his place.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he was dead, all the men of Israel that were with him, returned to their homes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all left for their homes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimeleck was dead, they departed every man to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sons of Israel saw that Abimelek himself was dead, and they went each man to his place<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead; and they went each to his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-55.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3160" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Abimelech's Punishment</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">54</span>He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. <span class="reftext">55</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš- (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">And when the Israelites</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">was dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">they all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: lim·qō·mōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">home.</a> </span><span class="reftext">56</span>In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm">2 Samuel 11:21</a></span><br />Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm">2 Samuel 18:16</a></span><br />Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/20-22.htm">2 Samuel 20:22</a></span><br />Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-36.htm">1 Kings 22:36</a></span><br />As the sun was setting, the cry rang out in the army: “Every man to his own city, and every man to his own land!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-13.htm">2 Kings 9:13</a></span><br />Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/11-14.htm">2 Kings 11:14</a></span><br />And she looked out and saw the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/23-13.htm">2 Chronicles 23:13</a></span><br />And she looked and saw the king standing by his pillar at the entrance. The officers and trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praises. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason, treason!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/25-22.htm">2 Chronicles 25:22</a></span><br />And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his own home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/22-3.htm">Isaiah 22:3</a></span><br />All your rulers have fled together, captured without a bow. All your fugitives were captured together, having fled to a distant place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-31.htm">Jeremiah 51:31-32</a></span><br />One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end. / The fords have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Matthew 27:54</a></span><br />When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Mark 15:39</a></span><br />When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-47.htm">Luke 23:47</a></span><br />When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a></span><br />When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36-37</a></span><br />Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. / After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/18-16.htm">2 Samuel 18:16</a></b></br> And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-21.htm">2 Samuel 20:21,22</a></b></br> The matter <i>is</i> not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, <i>even</i> against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-35.htm">1 Kings 22:35,36</a></b></br> And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-52.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/judges/6-21.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Home</a> <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Israelites</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/14-8.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/judges/11-9.htm">Home</a> <a href="/judges/10-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/10-8.htm">Israelites</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">56. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead</b><br>This phrase marks the conclusion of Abimelech's tumultuous reign, which was characterized by violence and treachery. Abimelech, the son of Gideon, had seized power by killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped. His death signifies the end of his tyrannical rule. The Israelites' reaction to his death reflects the instability and lack of centralized leadership during the period of the Judges. This era was marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, as described throughout the Book of Judges. Abimelech's death can be seen as divine retribution for his murderous actions, fulfilling Jotham's curse (<a href="/judges/9-20.htm">Judges 9:20</a>).<p><b>they all went home</b><br>The Israelites' return to their homes indicates a temporary cessation of conflict and a return to normalcy. This dispersal highlights the decentralized nature of Israelite society at the time, where tribal and familial ties were stronger than national unity. The phrase suggests a lack of collective mourning or loyalty to Abimelech, underscoring his failure to establish a legitimate or respected kingship. This return home also reflects the broader theme in Judges of the Israelites' repeated failure to maintain faithfulness to God, leading to cycles of oppression and deliverance. The absence of a strong, godly leader often resulted in chaos and moral decline, setting the stage for the eventual demand for a monarchy in Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who declared himself king over Shechem and surrounding areas. His rule was marked by violence and treachery.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A significant city in the hill country of Ephraim, central to the events of <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>. It was a place of covenant renewal in Israel's history but became a site of conflict under Abimelech's rule.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/thebez.htm">Thebez</a></b><br>A city that Abimelech attacked after his campaign against Shechem. It was here that a woman dropped a millstone on his head, leading to his death.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman</a></b><br>An unnamed woman in Thebez who played a crucial role in Abimelech's downfall by dropping a millstone from a tower, fatally wounding him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_millstone.htm">The Millstone</a></b><br>A large stone used for grinding grain, which the woman used to strike Abimelech, leading to his demise.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride_and_ambition.htm">The Consequences of Pride and Ambition</a></b><br>Abimelech's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and pride. His desire for power led to his downfall, reminding us to seek humility and God's will in our pursuits.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_prevails.htm">God's Justice Prevails</a></b><br>Despite human schemes and treachery, God's justice ultimately prevails. Abimelech's death fulfilled the curse pronounced by Jotham, showing that God is in control and will bring about justice in His time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_unexpected_instruments_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Unexpected Instruments in God's Plan</a></b><br>The unnamed woman and the millstone illustrate how God can use unexpected means and people to accomplish His purposes. This encourages us to be open to how God might work in our lives and circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Abimelech's reign contrasts with the leadership God desires for His people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking leaders who are humble, just, and aligned with God's principles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_shechem's_destruction.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_abimelech's_rule_conflict_with_ot.htm">Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god's_cycle_conflict_with_free_will.htm">Does the cyclical pattern of God sending deliverers (Judges 3:7-11) conflict with the notion of human free will or moral responsibility?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(55) <span class= "bld">They departed.</span>--The death of a leader was generally sufficient to break up an ancient army (<a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm" title="Therefore David ran, and stood on the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.">1Samuel 17:51</a>). "With Abimelech expired this first abortive attempt at monarchy. . . . The true King of Israel is still far in the distance" (Stanley).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 55.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The men of Israel</span> - Abimelech's followers (see ver. 22). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-55.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And when the Israelites</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽישׁ־</span> <span class="translit">(’îš-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abimelech</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was dead,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they all</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">home.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lim·qō·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-55.htm">Judges 9:55 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-55.htm">OT History: Judges 9:55 When the men of Israel saw that (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-54.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:54"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:54" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:56"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:56" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>