The Downfall and Demise of Abimelech (Part 1 of 4)
><> ><> Judges 9:22-24 <>< <><
22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. 25 And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.
><> ><> CONTEXT <>< <><
As an introduction to today’s study in Judges 9, we need to highlight what has happened so far so we can see the context for today’s passage. Abimelech, the vile, cheating, stealing, and deceiving son of Gideon by a concubine in Shechem, persuaded the city leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo to crown him as king over Israel. He ruled over Israel for three years according to our passage today, Judges 9:22-24. But, according to resources, there is no record of any eventful accomplishments for this king Abimelech. For example, the twelve God-called judges of Israel in the Book of Judges were called and charged by God to deliver the people of Israel from a persecuting nation. With Abimelech, however, Gideon had just died and the Israelites were enjoying their years of rest. They were not persecuted by another nation. Abimelech, nevertheless, goes back to his hometown of Shechem after the death of his father and persuades the city officials to crown him king. His first act was to murder all of his brothers, the seventy sons of Gideon. However, by God’s providence, only Jothan, the youngest son, escape. This was the Jotham who stood on Mt. Gerizim and condemn the city officials of Shechem for crowning Abimelech, that useless and unproductive “bramble” of a man, king. Because they supported Gideon and even gave him his authority so Abimelech can murder the seventy sons of Gideon. They also are guilty of this heinous act.
Since this reading about Abimelech’s life is so long, it can become quite laborious because of all the details of plotting and conspiracy that God is using in his divine providence to accomplish His purposes. We, as Christians, believers of Jesus Christ, and lovers of God’s Word, understand that God places this event for our learning and instruction. Therefore, to help guide us with the teaching of the Holy Spirit attached below is the literary structural outline for today’s passage. The outline is:
As you can see, the turning point or main focus of the passage is in verse 9:24, which says, “that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.” The two remaining sons of Gideon, Jotham and Abimelech, addressed the city officials of Shechem and Beth-millo. First, Abimelech, who proved himself to be a liar, money-grabbing swindler, and murderer, took the stand. He persuaded the Shechemites to make him king of Israel. The town officials were so supportive that they dug into the temple of Baal’s treasury to reward and support Abimelech. Aligning themselves with Abimelech, they became equally guilty of all the crimes that Abimelech committed, which in particular was the murder of all seventy sons of Gideon, minus one who escaped, Jotham. Jotham, while standing on Mt. Gerizim, presents his case to the people and city officials of Shechem. He told them a parable and its interpretation. Had the city officials acted in good faith on behalf of all the good deeds that Gideon did for them, then that is well. But if not, then may they devour Abimelech and Abimelech devour them. Jotham runs away to a remote place called Beer. This is now where our story begins today. What Jotham predicted is now coming to fruition, which is, the demise of both Abimelech and the people and leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo. Jotham said in Judges 9:19-20,
“if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.”
><> ><> COMMENTARY <>< <><
The citizens and city officials of Shechem and Beth-millo crown and support Abimelech as king. Abimelech was king over Israel for three years. Herbert Wolf, a renowned Old Testament commentator, said that the word for “ruled” in this passage “is unique to the book and is perhaps chosen to distinguish Abimelech’s ill-fated rule from that of the true judges. Abimelech was more like a tyrant than a king, and he soon encountered opposition in Shechem itself.” And it is so, as we shall see today, the citizens of Shechem had enough of Abimelech. But what is additionally important here, is the extent of Abimelech’s rule. The passage says that he ruled three years over Israel. But as we have already seen in our study in the Book of Judges, sometimes the invading country that comes to persecute the nation Israel, was more typically a localized event to one limited area (e.g., the Philistines to the south of Israel, the Moabites that invaded to the north of Israel, and the Canaanites and the people from the East battling against Manassa and Ephraim. According to commentary, “The extent of Abimelech’s kingdom was very limited; only Shechem, Beth-millo, Arumah (Judges 9:41) and Thebez (Judges 9:50) are mentioned as under his jurisdiction and it is unlikely that it extended beyond a portion of western Manasseh.” (Borrow Judges & Ruth: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary).
The course of history and all the details of life are part of a master plan that are dictated and ordered by the Creator and Master Planner of all, our Lord God Almighty. Verse 9:23 is crucial and stands alone as the causation of what lies ahead. It says, “And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem.” The citizenry of Shechem had enough of Abimelech’s lies, deception, and reign of terror. But why? Was it because there was some ounce of good within themselves? Well the answer is that God had enough of Abimelech. Matthew Henry says, “The ruin of these confederates in wickedness was from the righteous hand of the God to whom vengeance belongs. He sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the Shechemites (v. 23), that is, they grew jealous one of another and ill-affected one to another.” Therefore, the curse of Jotham that was pronounced on top of Mt. Shechem was beginning to happen. God sent Jotham with a message and God sent an evil spirit to stir up dissension between the people and their king. From the literary structural outline, verse 9:24 lies as the fundamental focal point for the passage, which says, “that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.” Vengeance did not belong to Jotham. Although, Jewish law does have consequences for murdering: ‘life for life!” Yet, Jotham was not the avenger of blood, for vengeance belongs to the Lord. God is not slack in his promises. He is faithful and His word shall not return empty or void. Because of God, the beginning of the end is about to happen for Abimelech, Shechem, and Beth-millo.
><> ><> DOCTRINE <>< <><
For the Christian, it is pure comfort to cast our care upon the Lord because He cares for us. He truly understands his attributes, that God is a loving, wise, and powerful God. He is able to do all things for our good and for His glory according to His purposes. Paragraph one of the Westminster Confession of Faith 1641 says,
“God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy”.
This doctrine is fundamental to our understanding of God. It gives us hope, joy, comfort, and patience, knowing that life is bigger than us and God himself is the Master Planner. We are here for His glory; some by grace with acts of obedience, and others whose final estate will be determined on Judgement Day.
><> ><> APPICATION <>< <><
Our study today gives us great hope and encouragement. God is in control. Evil people will lie, manipulate, exalt themselves, attempt to destroy us, and make life unbearable. But fortunately for us. We have an “all-seeing God”. Our God is love. We know that all things, as painful and difficult as they may be, are for His glory and for our good. Take, for example, the life of the martyrs of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Moses in Hebrews 11:25, who “choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” We also must come to realize that there is a cost to discipleship and we do not know what God has planned for our lives. What we do know, God’s plan for us is to glorify God and we have a part in this miraculous plan. Count it all joy, as James, the brother of Christ, says when we are afflicted with trials and tribulations. We have the Scriptures of God to show us and lead us into the paths of all righteousness for his glory by the leadership of the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, for us, we must apply these principles and be trusting that God is doing good work in us. In fact, He will continue this good work until the day of His appearance. Glory to God! When His saints see Christ as their purpose and focus on all matters of life! True faith brings us to come to Him in our prayers, exaltations, and supplications. In God we trust!
In application, we can be useful and productive for His kingdom and for His glory because life is not all about us. We do not need to manipulate and control and exercise our will onto others, and especially onto God if that were possible. We need to cast all our care upon Him because He cares for us. We need to be willing and able servants to do His bidding in whatever capacity God has planned for us from before the foundation of the world. Others may scoff and ridicule. Some may even show contempt and disapproval due to their own jealousy or misunderstanding. For us, we trust in God who is faithful. We walk by faith because He is able. With joy, our lives are immersed in Him and He in us. This is our abiding and growing in Christ. We exist, love, serve, and worship, all because of this doctrine that we have come to love: the divine providence of God – He is in control!
><> ><> PRAYER <>< <><
Father God, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for choosing and giving me the abundant life I have by faith in Him who died for me. I love and worship You! Help me to remove all anxieties that hinder my walk of faith. Show the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake. May all I do and say, bring glory to Your Name, In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
><> ><> HYMN <>< <><
Great is Thy Faithfulness, by Thomas O. Chisholm in 1923
