Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was a prominent judge of Israel, renowned for his military leadership and his role in delivering Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. His account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 through 8. Gideon's legacy, however, extends beyond his military exploits to his family, particularly his seventy sons.

Biblical Context

After Gideon's victory over the Midianites, the Israelites sought to make him their king. Gideon declined, stating, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite this refusal, Gideon lived a life that bore the trappings of royalty. He amassed significant wealth and took many wives, which was a common practice among kings and rulers of the time.

The Seventy Sons

Gideon had seventy sons, a testament to his numerous wives. This detail is recorded in Judges 8:30: "Gideon had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives" . The number seventy is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or perfection, though in this context, it also reflects Gideon's substantial household and influence.

Abimelech and the Tragedy at Shechem

Among Gideon's sons was Abimelech, born to a concubine in Shechem. Abimelech's ambition led to a tragic chapter in the history of Gideon's family. After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as ruler over Shechem and, by extension, Israel. He appealed to his maternal relatives, saying, "Remember that I am your own flesh and blood" (Judges 9:2).

With the support of the men of Shechem, Abimelech orchestrated the murder of his seventy brothers, securing his position as king. Judges 9:5 recounts this atrocity: "He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself" .

Jotham's Parable

Jotham, the sole surviving son of Gideon, delivered a parable from Mount Gerizim, condemning the actions of Abimelech and the men of Shechem. In his parable, he likened Abimelech to a thornbush, unworthy of kingship, and warned of mutual destruction between Abimelech and Shechem (Judges 9:7-20).

Theological Implications

The account of Gideon's seventy sons and the subsequent rise of Abimelech serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, the consequences of polygamy, and the rejection of God's intended leadership. Gideon's refusal to become king was overshadowed by the royal lifestyle he adopted, which inadvertently set the stage for Abimelech's violent quest for power.

The account underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the perils of deviating from His commandments. It also highlights the theme of divine justice, as Abimelech's reign ended in violence, fulfilling Jotham's prophetic curse (Judges 9:56-57).

Legacy

Gideon's seventy sons, though largely unnamed, represent the complexities of leadership, family, and faith in ancient Israel. Their account is a poignant reminder of the human propensity for sin and the enduring need for divine guidance and intervention.