Rashi on TanakhJudges 9

Headstrong. They acted impetuously, thoughtlessly.

Near the plain of the pillar. "The plain of monuments"—¹This is Targum Yonasan’s translation. A plain in which monuments stood.

The trees went about resolutely. This is a parable.²Yalkut, 65.

The olive tree. Asniel ben Kenaz,³Above, 3; 9–11. (Yalkut, ibid) a tribesman of Judah, who are entitled "olive", as it is said, "Refreshed olive tree, with fruit beautiful in appearance, etc."⁴Yirmiyahu, 11:16. The chapter is addressed to “the men of Yehudah” (v.1).

The richness of my oil. The connotation here is fattiness.

To the fig tree. This refers to Devorah.⁵ Above, 4:4. (Yalkut, ibid.)

My sweetness. the honey of dates.

To the grapevine. This refers to Gidon,⁶Yalkut, ibid. a descendant of Yoseif, of whom it is said, "A flourishing son"—"like a grapevine positioned, etc."⁷“A flourishing son over a wellspring”. (Bereishis, 49:22). Targum Onkelos there interprets, “like a grapevine positioned over a wellspring.”

Which brings joy to God. As the Levi'im chant the hymns of glory only during the wine libation ceremony.⁸Berachos, 35:b.

The thornbush. "epine" in old French.

If you genuinely. Because I qualify as a sovereign.

Ruled. He wielded his authority through repression, and conducted himself arrogantly.

A malicious sentiment. Hatred. "Talent" in old French.

Ga'al ben Eved. He was from another nation.

Indulged in carousals. Performed dances.⁹This is Targum Yonasan’s translation.

Who is Avimelech, and who is Shechem. Who is Avimelech to control Shechem, and who is Shechem to be subjugated to Avimelech? Is not Avimelech Yerubaal's son, from Ofros, of the Aviezrites?¹⁰

And his henchman Zevul? The city superintendent, named Zevul, is Avimelech's henchman. His master cannot justify his authority over the city; thus his appointee, as well, is a non-entity.

Serve the people of Chamor. If you want to get yourselves leaders, come serve the men of Chamor, who ruled the land in early times.¹¹Bereishis, 34:2.

But why must we serve him? Avimelech.

He said: For Avimelech. Ga'al declared in the presence of Zevul, "Tell Avimelech."

Beef up your army and come on out from your place, and let us see how grand you are!

Clandestinely. As in "cunningly,"¹²Bereishis, 27:35. "in deceit,"¹³Yirmiyahu, 8:5. meaning secretively, stealthily.

Four divisions. Four companies.

From the promontory of the land. "From the pre-eminence of the land."¹⁴This is Targum Yonasan’s translation. From the highest summit of all.

Elon Meonenim. The plain of Meonenim

The people went out to the fields. The people of Shechem.

They informed. Those who gave the information to Avimelech, that the townspeople had gone to the fields to attend to their wants.

At the entrance to the gateway of the city to block their entry.

Forest stockade. A forest encircled by twisted trees and branches, called "plisse" in old French.

Of the temple of the god Beris. The stockade belonged to Baal Beris, the name of their deity. Tzalmon¹⁵Mentioned in v. 48., too, owned a forest there. Others interpret צֽרִיחַ as "voutes" in old French, "bunker," dug into the ground.

The overhang of a tree. The branch of a tree.

A pestle shard. A fragment of upper grinding stone called "pestle" [lit. "rider.¹⁶As the upper pestle stone “rides” the lower mortar stone. (Metzudos).].

And smashed. Crushed.¹⁷תָּרָץ is usually translated as “ran”. Here, however, the translation is “crushed”, or “smashed”.

Lest it be said of me. Lest it be said concerning me.¹⁸לי is not translated as “to me,” but as “concerning me.”