Background and Context:
The revolt against Abimelech is a significant event recorded in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 9. Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and his concubine from Shechem, sought to establish himself as king over Israel after the death of his father. Unlike Gideon, who refused kingship, Abimelech ambitiously pursued power, exploiting his maternal connections in Shechem to gain support.

Abimelech's Rise to Power:
Abimelech's ascent to power was marked by treachery and bloodshed. He convinced the leaders of Shechem to support his claim to leadership by appealing to their kinship, as he was their relative. 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 killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on a single stone, sparing only the youngest, Jotham, who managed to hide.

Jotham's Parable:
After Abimelech was made king by the oak of the pillar in Shechem, Jotham, the sole surviving brother, 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. Jotham's parable was a prophetic warning against Abimelech's reign, highlighting the folly of choosing a worthless leader who would ultimately bring destruction.

The Revolt:
The seeds of discontent were sown as Abimelech's rule was marked by tyranny and oppression. After three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to mutual distrust and treachery. The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against Abimelech, and a man named Gaal son of Ebed moved into Shechem, gaining the trust of its leaders and inciting rebellion against Abimelech.

The Battle of Shechem:
Abimelech responded to the insurrection with brutal force. Zebul, the ruler of the city under Abimelech, informed him of Gaal's plans. Abimelech laid an ambush outside the city, and when Gaal went out to fight, he was defeated and driven back. Abimelech then attacked Shechem, capturing and destroying the city, sowing it with salt to signify its utter desolation.

The Siege of Thebez:
Following the destruction of Shechem, Abimelech turned his attention to Thebez, where the people had also rebelled. The inhabitants took refuge in a strong tower within the city. As Abimelech approached to set the tower 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.

Divine Retribution:
The revolt against Abimelech and his subsequent downfall serve as a testament to divine justice. Judges 9:56-57 states, "In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal."

Theological Significance:
The narrative of Abimelech's revolt underscores the consequences of ungodly ambition and the perils of leadership devoid of divine guidance. It illustrates the principle that God is sovereign over human affairs, and He will ultimately bring justice to those who act wickedly. The account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of power obtained through violence and deceit, and the inevitable downfall that follows such a path.