Topical Bible: Heathen: Abimelech

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Abimelech is a name that appears multiple times in the Old Testament, referring to different individuals, primarily among the Philistines and Canaanites. The name "Abimelech" means "my father is king" in Hebrew, suggesting a royal or noble status. The most notable Abimelechs are found in the narratives of Genesis and Judges.

1. Abimelech, King of Gerar: This Abimelech is a Philistine king who interacts with both Abraham and Isaac. In Genesis 20, Abraham sojourns in Gerar and, fearing for his life due to Sarah's beauty, claims that she is his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah into his household, but God intervenes, warning Abimelech in a dream that Sarah is Abraham's wife. Abimelech responds with integrity, returning Sarah to Abraham and reproving him for the deception. The king's actions demonstrate a sense of justice and fear of God, as he says, "Lord, will You destroy a nation even though it is innocent?" (Genesis 20:4). Later, in Genesis 26, a similar incident occurs with Isaac and Rebekah, where Abimelech again shows restraint and respect for God's will.

2. Abimelech, Son of Gideon: In Judges 9, Abimelech is the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and his concubine from Shechem. Unlike the Philistine king, this Abimelech is a negative figure, known for his ambition and treachery. After Gideon's death, Abimelech seeks to establish himself as king over Shechem. He manipulates his mother's relatives to support him, and with their help, he murders his seventy brothers, securing his rule. His reign is marked by violence and tyranny, and he is eventually killed by a woman who drops a millstone on his head during the siege of Thebez. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of turning away from God's guidance.

3. Abimelech in the Psalms: The name Abimelech also appears in the title of Psalm 34, which refers to an incident in David's life. The title mentions "when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed." This likely refers to the Philistine king Achish of Gath, suggesting that "Abimelech" might have been a dynastic title or a common name for Philistine rulers.

The accounts of Abimelech in the Bible highlight themes of divine intervention, moral integrity, and the consequences of sin. The Philistine king's interactions with the patriarchs underscore the recognition of God's sovereignty even among non-Israelites, while the narrative of Gideon's son illustrates the destructive nature of power sought for selfish purposes. These accounts collectively contribute to the broader biblical narrative of God's justice and mercy.

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Genesis 20:1
And Abraham journeyed from there toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
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Library

The Life of God
... To Pharaoh, king of Egypt, in Abraham's times; and again to Abimelech, king of ... Indeed,
no man, heathen or Christian, ever thought a single true thought, or ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xv the life of.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... present. There is great hospitality and the marriage relation was respected
by such heathen rulers as Pharaoh and Abimelech. When ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

God's Need of Men who Pray
... up in prayer at this time, as it was when He said to Abimelech, "Abraham shall pray ...
and eternal condition, "Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... In the above instances God "withheld" Abimelech, Balaam, and the heathen kingdoms
from sinning, and therefore we affirm that He did not in any wise interfere ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Chapter xxvi
... As "Abimelech" is the standing title of the Philistine kings (see on v. Genesis ... They
simply take the heathen attitude: each nation serves its own God; we have ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Chapter xxi
... that heathen men can recognize it. In a spirit that has much to commend it but may
yet be largely the outgrowth of good governmental policy, Abimelech seeks to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... thee not to touch her"(Gen.20:6). Had not God interposed, Abimelech would have ... homes
by restraining the covetous designs and desires of their heathen neighbours ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

How Even Apostles Thought that a Lie was Often Useful and the ...
... whatever of the Divine law, he chose to bring forward a verse of a heathen poet
rather ... when he told him: "I saw the son of Jesse in Nob, with Abimelech the son ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xx how even apostles.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... not Abraham be as fit a type of the Messiah as Moses, Joshua, and David,"Abraham,
of whom God, in Genesis 20:7, says to Abimelech, the heathen king, "Now ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Book 12 Footnotes
... before meat; which, as it is used to be said by a heathen priest, was ... place, Phicol,
is the very same with that of the chief captain of Abimelech's host, in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm