The Shechemites, inhabitants of the ancient city of Shechem, are notably mentioned in the context of theft and treachery in the biblical narrative. Shechem, located in the hill country of Ephraim, holds a significant place in Israel's history, both as a city of refuge and as a site of covenant renewal. However, the Shechemites are also associated with acts of deceit and theft, particularly in the account of Abimelech and the treachery against the house of Gideon.

Abimelech and the Shechemites

The account of Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), provides a vivid example of theft and betrayal involving the Shechemites. After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as king over Israel. He approached the leaders of Shechem, appealing to their shared kinship, as his mother was a Shechemite. In Judges 9:1-6, Abimelech's proposal to the Shechemites is recorded:

"Then Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, 'Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, "Which is better for you: for all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal to rule over you, or for one man to rule over you?" Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.'"

The leaders of Shechem, swayed by Abimelech's words and the promise of kinship, gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used this silver to hire reckless and worthless men, who aided him in the murder of his seventy brothers, the sons of Gideon, on a single stone. This act of fratricide was a grievous theft of life and inheritance, as Abimelech sought to illegitimately seize power through violence and treachery.

The Downfall of Shechem

The alliance between Abimelech and the Shechemites was short-lived, as it was founded on deceit and bloodshed. The Shechemites' complicity in Abimelech's crimes eventually led to their own downfall. In Judges 9:22-24, the narrative describes how God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to mutual distrust and conflict:

"After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and they acted treacherously against Abimelech. This was to avenge the murder of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and to make their blood fall upon their brother Abimelech, who had killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers."

The Shechemites' betrayal of Abimelech, and their subsequent rebellion, culminated in their destruction. Abimelech attacked the city, capturing and destroying it, and sowing it with salt as a symbol of its utter ruin (Judges 9:45). This act of divine retribution highlights the consequences of theft and treachery, as the Shechemites' initial theft of life and support for Abimelech's illegitimate rule ultimately led to their own demise.

Moral and Theological Implications

The account of the Shechemites serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of theft and betrayal. It underscores the biblical principle that actions rooted in deceit and injustice ultimately lead to judgment and ruin. The Shechemites' involvement in Abimelech's rise to power, through the theft of life and the usurpation of rightful leadership, illustrates the broader biblical theme that God is just and will not allow wickedness to go unpunished.

In the broader biblical context, theft is consistently condemned as a violation of God's commandments and an affront to His justice. The narrative of the Shechemites reinforces the importance of integrity, justice, and the recognition of God's sovereign authority over human affairs.Judges 9:25
And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... There comes a thief, and says, Lord, my sin of theft, I thought, was such ...
daughter-in-law, and Levi and Simeon that wickedly slew thee Shechemites, and Aaron ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

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