And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The celebration described here is a twisted parody of proper worship: instead of giving thanks to God for the harvest, they offer "praise offerings" to their idol Baal-berith. This feast in their god's house becomes the very place where they hatch their rebellion and curse Abimelech.
And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people of Shechem, emboldened by Gaal's arrival, venture out to gather their vintage, something they had feared doing under Abimelech's rule. They celebrate their harvest with feasting and revelry in the temple of their god, Baal-berith. It is during this idolatrous festival, fueled by wine, that their simmering resentment boils over into open curses and reviling against Abimelech.
Sometimes, the very things that should bring us joy can become a breeding ground for discontent and anger. In ancient times, the grape harvest was a major celebration, yet for these people, it sparked something darker.
The people of Shechem had been living under the oppressive rule of Abimelech, their hand-picked king. Fear had kept them from their fields, but with the arrival of Gaal, a new leader, they felt emboldened.
The Vintage Festival
When it was time to gather the grapes, they went out, not just to harvest, but to celebrate. This was a time of great joy, a festival of thanksgiving for the earth's bounty. They trod the grapes, made merry, likely with songs and feasting.
A Shift in Tone
But this celebration took a sharp turn. They moved from their vineyards into the house of their god, Baal-berith. Here, amidst the feasting and drinking, the mood shifted from praise to rebellion. Instead of thanking God for their harvest, they used the occasion to 'curse Abimelech,' finding in their collective joy a moment to voice their bitter resentment and plan against their ruler.
What we worship profoundly shapes what we say, do, and who we follow. The Shechemites' choice of worship directly fueled their rebellion against Abimelech.
The Bible clearly contrasts true worship of God with the practices of idolaters. For the people of Shechem, their allegiance lay with Baal-berith, their god of 'covenant' or 'lord of the covenant'.
A Corrupted Feast
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Instead of bringing their harvest thanks to the LORD, they took it to the temple of Baal-berith. The feasting and drinking in the idol's house weren't just social gatherings; they were acts of worship, meant to honor their false god. This practice was a common feature of ancient idolatry, mirroring the sacrifices and feasts offered to the true God but offered to a lifeless idol.
A Voice for Idolatry
It was within this setting – the house of their god, fueled by idol worship and likely wine – that their curses against Abimelech were uttered. Their rebellion wasn't just political; it was deeply spiritual. By turning from God to Baal, they embraced a form of worship that sanctioned their lawless and seditious acts, making their curses against Abimelech an offering to their false deity.
People can shift their loyalties quickly, especially when they feel empowered or resentful. The people of Shechem show just how fickle allegiance can be.
Abimelech had secured his kingship with the help of the people of Shechem and even money taken from the temple of Baal-berith. Yet, within three years, their allegiance had completely soured.
From Support to Scorn
Initially, they supported Abimelech, even helping him in his bloody rise to power. However, his oppressive 'despotism,' as some scholars note, quickly turned their support into resentment. The text implies they hadn't dared to go out to their fields for fear of Abimelech's troops.
A Swift Turnaround
When Gaal arrived, offering a new leader and hope of freedom, their feelings toward Abimelech flipped entirely. They went from supporting him to openly cursing and reviling him. This rapid shift highlights the superficial nature of their loyalty, which was based on immediate self-interest and perhaps a misguided belief in their new leader, rather than any deep conviction.
This shows that human rulers, and the allegiances they inspire, are often unstable and unreliable. True security and lasting loyalty are found in God alone.
Understand the original words
elohim · Hebrew Noun
A term used for a deity or object of worship. In an idolatrous context, it refers to the false gods or idols worshipped by pagan nations, which are strictly forbidden in the worship of the one true God, Yahweh.
qalal · Hebrew Verb
To speak with contempt, scorn, or abuse. In a biblical context, it often involves cursing or speaking against someone's character or authority, reflecting a posture of rebellion or disrespect.
The riotous feast, filled with wine, idolatry, and curses against Abimelech, shows how quickly a people can turn from celebrating God's provision to rebellion and judgment, fueled by misplaced loyalty and pagan practices.
c. 1120 BC
Gideon's Death and Succession Crisis
After Gideon's death, his son Abimelech manipulates the people of Shechem to make him ruler, bypassing Gideon's other 70 sons.
c. 1120-1117 BC
Abimelech's Violent Reign
Abimelech murders most of his brothers to consolidate power, ruling Shechem with an iron fist for three years.
c. 1117 BC— this verse
Shechem's Rebellion Begins
The people of Shechem, led by Gaal son of Ebed, openly rebel against Abimelech's oppressive rule during the grape harvest festival.
c. 1117 BC
Feast, Idolatry, and Cursing
During a festive gathering at the temple of Baal-berith, fueled by wine and idolatrous worship, the Shechemites begin to revile and curse Abimelech.
c. 1117 BC
Abimelech Retaliates
Zebul, Abimelech's governor in Shechem, reports the rebellion to Abimelech, who then marches against the city.
c. 1117 BC
Destruction of Shechem and Tower
Abimelech defeats Gaal's forces, captures Shechem, and then utterly destroys the city, burning its inhabitants in a tower.
c. 1117 BC
Death at Thebez
Abimelech is killed by a millstone thrown from a tower by a woman in the city of Thebez, fulfilling a prophecy.
This passage discusses the proper way to offer the first fruits of a vineyard, contrasting with the Shechemites' idolatrous celebration here. It highlights the religious and festive nature of harvest, which the people in Judges 9 perverted.
1 Samuel 17:43This verse shows Goliath cursing David by his gods. Similarly, the Shechemites in Judges 9 cursed Abimelech in the house of their god, Baal-berith, invoking their deity in their rebellion.
Isaiah 16:10This prophetic passage speaks of the joy and celebration of the harvest, with treading of grapes and singing. It echoes the 'making merry' described in Judges 9:27, but points to a celebration for the Lord, not for an idol.
Jeremiah 25:30This verse describes God's judgment and the lamenting of the vintners, contrasting sharply with the revelry and cursing. It serves as a counterpoint, showing the divine perspective on such defiant celebrations.
1 Corinthians 10:20This New Testament passage warns against participating in idol feasts, comparing them to fellowship with demons. It provides a theological framework for understanding the danger and sin of the Shechemites' actions in the house of Baal-berith.
gillJudges 9:27: "And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech."
Before they kept within the city, and durst not stir out to gather in the vintage, the time being come, for fear of the troops of Abimelech; for their lying in wait for him, and the robberies committed being made known to him, he had prepared to raise some forces, and attack them, of which they ha…
bensonJudges 9:27: "And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech."
Jdg 9:27 . They went out into the fields — Which, till his coming, they durst not do, for fear of Abimelech. Made merry — Both from the custom of rejoicing, and singing songs in vintage time, and for the hopes of their redemption from Abimelech’s tyranny. Went into the house of their god — Baal-be…
The celebration described here is a twisted parody of proper worship: instead of giving thanks to God for the harvest, they offer "praise offerings" to their idol Baal-berith. This feast in their god's house becomes the very place where they hatch their rebellion and curse Abimelech.
The people of Shechem, emboldened by Gaal's arrival, venture out to gather their vintage, something they had feared doing under Abimelech's rule. They celebrate their harvest with feasting and revelry in the temple of their god, Baal-berith. It is during this idolatrous festival, fueled by wine, that their simmering resentment boils over into open curses and reviling against Abimelech.
The people of Shechem, emboldened by Gaal's arrival, venture out to gather their vintage, something they had feared doing under Abimelech's rule. They celebrate their harvest with feasting and revelry in the temple of their god, Baal-berith. It is during this idolatrous festival, fueled by wine, that their simmering resentment boils over into open curses and reviling against Abimelech.
"And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech." — The celebration described here is a twisted parody of proper worship: instead of giving thanks to God for the harvest, they offer "praise offerings" to their idol Baal-berith. This feast in their god…
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Last reviewed October 2026