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Judges 9:4,27
And they gave him threescore and tenpieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him…

Judges 8:33
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

1 Kings 8:26
And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

all the leaders in the tower of Shechem
The "leaders" here are the prominent men or rulers of Shechem, a city with significant historical and biblical importance. Shechem was a central location in the land of Israel, situated in the hill country of Ephraim. The "tower" refers to a fortified structure within the city, often used as a place of refuge during attacks. This reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of having a stronghold within a city for protection against invaders.

entered the inner chamber
The "inner chamber" suggests a place of safety or a sanctuary within the tower. In ancient times, such chambers were often used as a last resort for protection during sieges. This action indicates the leaders' desperation and their attempt to find security from Abimelech's assault. The use of an inner chamber also implies a sense of sacredness or inviolability, as these areas were often associated with religious or ceremonial functions.

of the temple of El-berith
El-berith, meaning "God of the Covenant," was a deity worshiped in Shechem. The temple served as both a religious and communal center. The reference to El-berith connects to the broader theme of covenant in the Bible, contrasting the people's allegiance to a pagan god with the covenant relationship Israel was supposed to have with Yahweh. This temple's existence highlights the syncretism present in Israel during the time of the Judges, where foreign gods were often worshiped alongside Yahweh. The leaders' retreat to this temple underscores their reliance on false security and misplaced faith, which ultimately leads to their downfall, as Abimelech later destroys the tower.

• “This” points back to Abimelech’s brutal assault on Shechem—slaughtering the people, leveling the city, and sowing it with salt (Judges 9:45).

• News of such devastation spread instantly, stirring panic. Scripture often shows how swift judgment sets hearts trembling (Joshua 2:9–11;Psalm 48:5–6).

• God had already foretold retribution through Jotham’s parable (Judges 9:19–20); the report of burning judgment fulfilled that warning in real time.

• These are the very officials who earlier empowered Abimelech with silver from the same pagan shrine (Judges 9:4).

• “Tower” or Migdal-Shechem served as a fortified stronghold, yet earthly defenses are no match for divine judgment (Psalm 33:16-17;Proverbs 18:11).

• Their political alliance with Abimelech had crumbled; now both sides reap the fruit of treachery (Galatians 6:7).

• Retreating deeper into the structure felt like the safest option—one more barricade, one more door.

• Scripture repeatedly portrays inner rooms as last-ditch hiding places that cannot shield from God’s purposes (1 Kings 20:30;Isaiah 2:19).

• The contrast stands out: the righteous run to the LORD and are safe (Proverbs 18:10), while the wicked burrow into walls that soon collapse around them (Ezekiel 33:27).

• El-berith, “god of the covenant,” was a counterfeit deity worshiped at Shechem (Judges 8:33).

• The leaders sought refuge in a sanctuary of idolatry instead of the covenant-keeping LORD. Idols, however, are powerless to save (Psalm 115:4-8;Isaiah 46:7).

• Their chosen refuge became a furnace when Abimelech stacked brushwood against it and burned them alive (Judges 9:49), mirroring Jotham’s warning that fire would come from Abimelech to consume Shechem.

• The episode underscores that trusting false gods invites the very destruction one tries to escape (Deuteronomy 32:37-39).

Judges 9:46 records leaders who, terrified by Abimelech’s onslaught, fled into the innermost room of a pagan temple, hoping stone walls and a false deity could protect them. Their choice revealed misplaced trust, fulfilled Jotham’s prophetic curse, and prepared the way for their fiery end. The verse stands as a historical reminder and a timeless call to seek shelter in the Lord alone, for every other refuge will ultimately fail.

Entered into an hold.--The word for "hold" occurs in1Samuel 13:6 ("high place"). The LXX. render it "a fortress" (ochuroma);Luther,"Festung."In the 'thiopic Version ofMark 16:15 a similar word is used for "upper room." The Vulg. has, "They entered the fane of their god Berith, where they had made their league with him, and from this the place had received its name, and it was strongly fortified."

Of the house of the god Berith.--Similarly. Arcesilas burnt the Cyrenaens in a tower (Herod. iv. 164), and in1 Maccabees 5:43 the defeated enemy fly for refuge to the temple of Ashtaroth in Karnaim, which Judas takes and burns.