And all the house of Millo— Bertram, in his book de Repub. Jud. is of opinion, that Millo is not a proper name in this place; but that as by the first phrase, all the men of Shechem, are understood all the principal men or elders of the city, so the latter phrase denotes all the citizens, who, in a full assembly, agreed to make Abimelech king. In the plain of the pillar, is rendered by Houbigant and many others, near the oak-grove, &c. See Isaiah 29:3.
REFLECTIONS.—Abimelech resolves, if possible, to secure that crown which Gideon had refused; and, though neither called of God, nor chosen of men, by art and insinuation he thrusts himself into the throne.
1. He makes application secretly to his mother's friends in Shechem, and they, at his instigation, engage in his interest the leading men of the city. The plea he used to support his solicitation was a lying insinuation of his brethren, as if they intended to lord it over the land, and their number would make the burden of such a government insupportable; though it never appears that they had the least intention of doing so, as it was expressly contrary to their father's solemn declarations. Note; (1.) They who have a wicked purpose to serve will lie to accomplish it. (2.) They who are conscious of their own bad designs are ready to suspect others of the same ill intentions.
2. His application was as successful as he could wish. The men of Shechem were very well pleased to have one of their brethren a king, and their city a metropolis, expecting, no doubt, their advantage therein; and therefore, to support him in his design, they supply him with money out of the common treasury, which was in the temple of their idol Baal-berith, or, it may be, from the hallowed things they had dedicated to him, imagining there must needs be success from such a support: with this, he raises a band of men, profligate as himself, to perpetrate the crimes that he meditated. Note; (1.) Self is at the bottom of every worldly man's policy. (2.) They who help the wicked often prepare a rod for themselves.
3. It is often the case, that, where there is a rage to reign, men must wade to a crown through blood. Presuming that his father's sons would justly object to his advancement, he resolves first to dispatch them; and all but one are slain together on one stone, by himself and his wicked associates. Note; Ambition never hesitates; neither conscience nor natural affection, fear of God nor love of men, can bind those who are under its baleful influence.