Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Judges: Abimelech Foments an Inter-Tribal War

◄ Israel: Under the Judges: Abimelech Foments an Inter-Tribal War ►

Topical Encyclopedia

During the period of the Judges, Israel experienced cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This era was marked by a lack of centralized leadership, as "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). One of the most tumultuous episodes in this period was the rise of Abimelech, a son of Gideon, who sought to establish himself as a ruler over Israel through treachery and violence.

Background and Rise to Power

Abimelech was the son of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, and a concubine from Shechem (Judges 8:31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to consolidate power by exploiting his maternal connections in Shechem. He appealed to the leaders of Shechem, arguing that it would be better for them to be ruled by one man, himself, rather than by the seventy sons of Gideon (Judges 9:2). His persuasive argument, coupled with his familial ties, convinced the men of Shechem to support his claim.

With seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, Abimelech hired reckless adventurers to follow him. He then went to his father's house in Ophrah and murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Gideon, on a single stone, sparing only the youngest, Jotham, who managed to hide (Judges 9:5).

Jotham's Parable and Warning

After Abimelech was made king by the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, Jotham, the sole surviving son of Gideon, delivered a parable from Mount Gerizim. In this parable, the trees sought a king, and after being refused by the olive tree, fig tree, and vine, they turned to the bramble, which accepted the offer with a warning of destruction (Judges 9:7-15). Jotham used this parable to warn the people of Shechem about the consequences of their choice, predicting that fire would come from Abimelech to consume them and vice versa (Judges 9:20).

Conflict and Downfall

Abimelech's rule was marked by strife and treachery. After three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to mutual distrust and conflict (Judges 9:23). The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against Abimelech, and a man named Gaal son of Ebed attempted to incite rebellion against him (Judges 9:26-29).

Abimelech responded with brutal force, attacking Shechem and razing the city. He sowed the city with salt, a symbolic act of utter destruction (Judges 9:45). The leaders of Shechem sought refuge in the tower of Shechem, but Abimelech set it ablaze, killing about a thousand men and women (Judges 9:49).

Abimelech's violent campaign continued to Thebez, where he attempted to capture another stronghold. However, as he approached the tower to set it on fire, 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 9:53-54).

Divine Retribution

The narrative of Abimelech serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ambition, treachery, and fratricide. The text explicitly states that God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech and the men of Shechem, fulfilling Jotham's curse (Judges 9:56-57). This episode underscores the divine justice that operates even amidst the chaos of human affairs, as God holds individuals and communities accountable for their actions.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 9:1
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
Nave's Topical Index