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More Judges commentaries
Judges 6:1-10
Conditions in Israel
Judges 6:11-24
The Commission of Gideon
Judges 6:25-29
Destroying the Pagan Altar
Judges 6:30-40
Confirming the Will of God
Judges 7:1-15
Who is on the Lord’s Side?
Judges 7:16-25
The Defeat of Gideon’s Foes
Judges 8:1-12
The Surprise Attack
Judges 8:13-23
Gideon’s Sense of Justice
Judges 8:24-35
The Concluding Days of Gideon
Judges 9:1-15
The Renegade Who Lusted for Power
Judges 9:16-29
The Troubled Reign of Abimelech
Judges 9:30-41
The Destruction of Shechem
Judges 9:42-57
Abimelech Wanted to Get Revenge
Judges 10:1-9
Servitude Under the Philistines and Ammonites
Judges 10:10-18
The Repentance of Israel
Judges 11:1-17
Jephthah’s Call to Leadership
Judges 11:18-28
Jephthah’s Military Strategy
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The Destruction of Shechem
Judges 9:30–41
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Someone tells the story of a boy who was rebelling against his dad constantly. This boy was destroying his own life by his rebellion, but he refused to heed his father’s words. One day, the dad said to the boy, “I want to show you what you’re doing to your life. I’m going to … More
The central theme of this event shows how the Lord dealt in history with those who dared to transgress His moral laws. Abimelech had made his home at a fortress five miles southeast of Shechem. He had put Zebul, one of his officials in charge of Shechem. A new leader by the name of Gaal had arrived on the scene to challenge the authority of Abimelech at Shechem. The men of the city were listening to Gaal who was poisoning their minds against Abimelech and making plans to take over his position.
Zebul was angry when he found out what Gaal was up to, so he sent some messangers to inform Abimelech of the rebellion (vv. 30-31). He not only warned of the potentially dangerous situation but urged a certain source of action, that would not allow Gaal to consolidate his position (vv. 32-33). Abimelech followed the advice of his deputy and sent his forces by night to avoid being detected. He divided them into four groups, and they all hid near the town (v. 34).The advantages of surprise and initiative lay with Abimelech and Gaal and his supporters were chased from the city (vv. 35-41). The insurrection had been nipped in the bud by the prompt action of Zebul.
Application
What is my reaction when someone rises up to challenge the authority of the person I am working for? Do I remain loyal to my employer or do I join in the rebellion? I must remember that it is never right to do wrong in order to accomplish what I think is right.
Judges 9:30-41 (English Standard Version)
When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, "Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them as your hand finds to do." So Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!" And Zebul said to him, "You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men." Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak." Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?' Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them." And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.
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