The Troubled Reign of Abimelech

Topic: Warning
Passage: Judges 9:16–29

May 18, 2020

Commentary

Gideon had risked his life for Israel. They had responded by destroying his sons (vv. 16-18) so fires of destruction would only be what they deserved (vv. 19-20). These were Gotham’s words of warning. Then Gotham had to run for his life and hide from the anger of his brothers (v. 21). Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years (v. 22). His power probably did not extend beyond the central areas of Ephraim and Manasseh. These years were full of trouble, for the Lord sent “an evil spirit” to create strife between Abimelech and those under him (v. 23). God turned the leaders of Shechem against Abimelech (v. 24). They sent some men to hide on the hilltops and watch for Abimelech and his troops, while they sent others to rob everyone that went by on the road. (v. 25). 

Gaal son of Ebed went to live in Shechem (v. 26). His brothers moved there too, and soon the leaders of Shechem started trusting him. Time came for the grape harvest, and the people of Shechem squeezed the juice out of them and threw a big party at the temple (v. 27). There was a lot of eating and drinking, and before long they were cursing Abimelech. Gaal said: Abimelech isn’t really one of us (v. 28). He shouldn’t be our king, and we shouldn’t have to obey him or Zebul, who rules Shechem for him.” Having undermined their confidence in Abimelech he hinted how different things would be if he were the leader and sent a challenge to the absent king to bring his army and meet him (v. 29).

Application

You have probably heard the saying “your sins will find you out”. I can never do anything that the Lord doesn’t know about and will one day pronounce judgment upon. I need to be quick to confess sin in my own life and not be afraid to speak out against sin in the lives of others.

Judges 9:16– 29 (NET)

16 “Now, if you have shown loyalty and integrity when you made Abimelech king, if you have done right to Jerub Baal and his family, if you have properly repaid him — 17 my father fought for you; he risked his life and delivered you from Midian’s power. 18 But you have attacked my father’s family today. You murdered his seventy legitimate sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative. 19 So if you have shown loyalty and integrity to Jerub Baal and his family today, then may Abimelech bring you happiness and may you bring him happiness! 20 But if not, may fire blaze from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo! May fire also blaze from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelech!” 21 Then Jotham ran away to Beer and lived there to escape from Abimelech his half-brother.

22 Abimelech commanded Israel for three years. 23 God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyal to Abimelech. 24 He did this so the violent deaths of Jerub Baal’s seventy sons might be avenged and Abimelech, their half-brother who murdered them, might have to pay for their spilled blood, along with the leaders of Shechem who helped him murder them. 25 The leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech by putting bandits in the hills, who robbed everyone who traveled by on the road. But Abimelech found out about it.

26 Gaal son of Ebed came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. 27 They went out to the field, harvested their grapes, squeezed out the juice, and celebrated. They came to the temple of their god and ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech. 28 Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed? Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech? 29 If only these men were under my command, I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech, “Muster your army and come out for battle!”