Introduction:
Abimelech, a son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), is a significant figure in the Book of Judges. His account is primarily found in Judges 9, where he is depicted as a man who sought power through treachery and violence. Abimelech's rise to kingship and subsequent downfall serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the consequences of unrighteous leadership.

Background:
Abimelech was one of the seventy sons of Gideon, born to a concubine from Shechem (Judges 8:31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as ruler over Shechem and its surrounding areas, leveraging his maternal connections to gain support.

Abimelech's Rise to Power:
Abimelech approached the leaders of Shechem, appealing to their kinship and proposing that it would be better for them to be ruled by one man rather than the seventy sons of Gideon. He said, "Remember that I am your own flesh and blood" (Judges 9:2). The leaders of Shechem were persuaded and gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, which Abimelech used to hire reckless adventurers to follow him (Judges 9:4).

With this band of followers, Abimelech went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers on one stone, sparing only the youngest, Jotham, who hid himself (Judges 9:5). This massacre eliminated potential rivals and solidified his claim to leadership.

Coronation at Shechem:
Following the slaughter of his brothers, the leaders of Shechem and the house of Millo gathered by the oak of the pillar in Shechem and made Abimelech king (Judges 9:6). This act marked a significant departure from the theocratic leadership established by God through judges, as Abimelech's kingship was self-proclaimed and not divinely appointed.

Jotham's Parable:
Jotham, the sole surviving son of Gideon, addressed the people of Shechem from Mount Gerizim with a parable. He told the account of the trees seeking a king, ultimately choosing the bramble, which offered no real protection or benefit. Jotham warned the people that if they had acted honorably in making Abimelech king, they would rejoice; but if not, fire would come from Abimelech to consume them, and vice versa (Judges 9:7-20).

Abimelech's Downfall:
Abimelech's reign was marked by conflict and treachery. After three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to mutual distrust and hostility (Judges 9:23). The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him, and a man named Gaal son of Ebed challenged his authority (Judges 9:25-28).

Abimelech responded by attacking Shechem, destroying the city, and sowing it with salt (Judges 9:45). He then besieged the tower of Shechem, killing about a thousand men and women who had taken refuge there (Judges 9:49).

Abimelech's final campaign was against the city of Thebez. As he attempted to burn down its tower, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, crushing his skull. In his final moments, Abimelech commanded his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword to avoid the disgrace of being slain by a woman (Judges 9:52-54).

Legacy:
Abimelech's account is a grim reminder of the perils of unchecked ambition and the destructive nature of power obtained through violence and deceit. His brief and tumultuous reign ended in ignominy, fulfilling Jotham's curse and demonstrating the divine justice that ultimately prevails over human schemes.