Cruel King Abimelech

Judges Chapter 9 verses 1-29

Gideon's son Abimelech (born to his concubine) went to Shechem to visit his mother's brothers. He told his uncles to ask the people of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon's sons or by one man. And remember, he said, I am your own flesh and blood. So the uncles spoke to the people of Shechem on his behalf and the people decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative. They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, and he used it to hire soldiers to follow him. He took the soldiers to Ophrah and there they killed all seventy of his half brothers, but the youngest one Jotham, escaped and hid. Then the people of Shechem and Beth-millo called a meeting and made Abimelech their king.

When Jotham heard this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted, "Listen to me, people of Shechem. Listen to me if you want God to listen to you! Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they said to the olive tree, 'Be our King!' but it refused saying, 'Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?' Then they said to the fig tree. 'You be our King!' But the fig tree also refused saying, 'Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?' Then the people said to the grapevine, ' You be our King!' But the grapevine replied, 'Should I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?' Finally all the trees turned to the thornbush and said, 'Come, you be our king!' And the thornbush said, 'If you want me to be your king, come and take shelter in my shade. If not, let the fire come out from me and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'"

"Now," said Jotham to the people, "make sure you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelech your king and that you have done right by Gideon and all his descendants." He told them how his father risked his own life for them and rescued them from the Midianites. But now they had revolted against Gideon and his descendants, killing seventy sons and had chosen a slave woman's son to be king, just because he was a relative. If, he said, you have acted honorably, then may you find joy in Abimelech. But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come from Abimelech and devour the people of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may the fire devour Abimelech. Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer to get away from Abimelech.

Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. God stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the people of Shechem and they revolted. They set up an ambush for Abimelech, but someone warned him about the plot. It was about the same time that Gaal, son of Ebed moved to Shechem with his brother and gained the confidence of Shechem. During a harvest festival, wine flowed and people began to curse Abimelech. Gaal shouted to the people that Abimelech was merely a son of Gideon and the men of Hamor, who are Shechem's descendants, should be in charge. They urged the crowd to get rid of Abimelech, and get soldiers ready to fight.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: that the city of Shechem was Abimelech's mother's hometown. These relatives were Canaanites and would be glad to unite against Israel. Shechem was an important city, a crossroads for trade routes and a link between the coastal plan and the Jordan valley. This was the same city where Jacob's sons killed all the men in town to avenge the rape of their sister( Genesis 34).
Politics played a major role in pagan religions. Religion became a profit making business as prostitutes were set up in the temples to bring in money.
Jotham's parable represented Gideon's seventy sons and the thornbush was Abimelech. The point was that a productive person would not bother with power politics. But a worthless person would accept the honor and destroy the people he ruled.Jotham's story was meant to help the people set their priorities.

How does this chapter relate to us today? People with selfish desires like Abimelech seek to fulfill them in ruthless ways. Examine your own ambitions. Are they self-centered or God-centered? Be sure to fulfill your desires in a way God would approve. As we serve in leadership positions today, do we have the right motives or do we just want praise?
It seems God waited three whole years to move against Abimelech, and we wonder why he waited so long. But God often does not punish immediately because it allows people time to turn from their sin, recognize that sin and repent. Things are done in God's time, not ours, and he will destroy all evil.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has good days, but is far from out of the woods. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.