Definition: And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that [were] with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid [it] on his shoulder, and said unto the people that [were] with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, [and] do as I [have done].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 9:48. It’s a really interesting and dramatic passage about God’s judgment! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Problem: The story begins with a group of people – primarily Levites (priests and religious leaders) – who were being overly boastful and demanding. They were making a big fuss over a small amount of food, which upset God’s plan for the land. God’s Response: God is incredibly angry at this behavior. He doesn't just ignore it; he directly intervenes . He decides to punish these people with a very unusual and forceful method: He “lifts him up” to Mount Zion, completely isolates them, and then uses an axe to cut down a tree. The Action: This isn’t about just punishing them physically. God is showing his power and control. He's demonstrating that he will not tolerate arrogance or excessive demands. What the Verse Means – Simplified: “And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that [were] with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid [it] on his shoulder, and said unto the people that [were] with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, [and] do as I [have done].” “Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon…” – This refers to a specific, important event in history. It’s about a large, complex ritual that was being performed. "...he and all the people that [were] with him..." - It’s not just one person; it was a group of people involved in this ritual. “…took an axe in his hand…” – This is key! It signifies a decisive action by God, a forceful intervention. "...cut down a bough from the trees..." - He didn’t just watch the ritual; he actively destroyed it. "...and took it, and laid [it] on his shoulder…” – He physically removed this branch as a symbol of punishment. "...and said unto the people that [were] with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, [and] do as I [have done].” - This is the most important part. He's telling them to immediately and completely follow his actions – a clear demonstration of his power and judgment. Overall Meaning: This verse portrays God’s wrath and control. It’s a stark example of how he will punish those who are arrogant, demanding, or disrespectful. It emphasizes that God is not easily swayed by human behavior and will take action to correct things. In essence, it's a powerful image of God's judgment being enacted through direct intervention. --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse from this passage? Discuss the significance of the symbolism behind the tree? Connect this story to broader themes in biblical teaching (like humility or obedience)?