Study In Judges

1. Study InJudges Presentation 010

2. Chapter 9v1-57 The Rise And Fall Of Abimelech Presentation 010

3. The town of Shechem v1 is situated between Ebal and Gerizim. Thought to be the place where God first revealed Himself to Abraham after his arrival in the land [Gen. 12v6,7], and this association with the past is referred to in the phrase ‘by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem’ [see Joshua 24v26, also Gen. 35v4]. The Shechemites were ‘the sons of Hamor’ v28, who was a Hivite [Gen 34:2], and this seems to indicate that the people of Shechem were Canaanites, or predominantly of Canaanite stock, and that there was therefore a good deal of association and mixing with the heathen nations at this time. Introduction Presentation 010

4. And here is a lesson at the outset: all the trouble and conflict recorded in this chapter came from the fact that Gideon transgressed the law of God by taking a concubine from the people of Shechem [of course, even given the custom of the times, it was wrong for him to have taken a concubine from anywhere, and the polygamy of his household must have been an offence to God]. The Scriptures do not hesitate to expose the sins of the saints, or show the consequences - often long - term of sin in personal and national life. Introduction Presentation 010

5. In v2, the raising of the question of kingship probably confirms that it was a Canaanite, rather than an Israelite, idea to have a king at all. And the fact that Gideon’s sons seem to have had in mind some idea of rule may be evidence that they saw in their father’s life-style a contradiction of his refusal of kingship in 8v23, and drew their own conclusions. One’s words do not always give one’s real thoughts and intents, and it may be that Gideon’s life spoke louder to his sons, and influenced their subsequent actions and attitudes, than what he said. There’s a solemn thought! Who Would Be King? Presentation 010

6. It might well be asked, concerning Abimelech, ‘What chance had he, with such a background and upbringing?’ Surely he was more sinned against than sinning?’ Ah, yes, the background was bad, and Gideon did more than he realised when he took the concubine. All the same, this cannot be used as an excuse for Abimelech. For it stands forever recorded in Scripture that, with a similar background, circumstances and shadow cast over him, another man reacted very differently. Boaz was the son of a harlot, Rahab. Yet look at him! No trace of bitterness and resentment at his background, no hang-ups, no chip on his shoulder, but instead, a generous, gracious spirit. Grace triumphed in his soul, and Abimelech could have enjoyed a similar experience. Who Would Be King? Presentation 010

7. The cunning revealed by his words in v2 stand in stark contrast with what he might have been. They are all the more striking, as he deliberately dissociates himself from the household of Israel, in claiming kinship with the Shechemites. This, as we see in v3, is what won their allegiance to him. The seventy pieces of silver v4 used for the hire of assassins came from the heathen temple of Baal-Berith. Think of the ‘bad characters’ mentioned in Acts 17v5 - there are always groups of men around who for a price, or even for the fun of it, will engage in outrageous of exploits. These were the men who at Abimelech’s instigation committed foul and terrible assassination at his own father’s house at Ophrah, when all but one of his brethren were put to the sword. Abimelech’s Scheme Presentation 010

8. Abimelech was made king by the Shechemites v6, - sadly and sacrilegiously, in the place clearly hallowed by ancient tradition. It would almost seem as if Abimelech, intoxicated by his success, was intent on deliberately flouting all that was dear to Israel and his father’s house, thus blasphemously assuming kingship in a place that was sacred to the memory of the patriarchs. Well, no man can do this with impunity, and Abimelech’s reign - three years on - was destined to come to a violent and dishonourable end, as we shall see in the remainder of his story, in the next chapter. Abimelech’s Scheme Presentation 010

9. Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, was the only one of the family to escape the assassins, and his obvious intention was to flee as far as possible from the murderous Abimelechv21. Before doing so he went up Mt. Gerizim and uttered a famous parable to the men of Shechem, which as “both a protest against the shameful treatment meted out to the house of Gideon, and a prophecy of the effect of Abimelech’s rule”. In the parable the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine, refuse in turn to assume kingship, all alike recognising that to do so would be for them to forsake their own calling and sphere of usefulness. Finally the bramble assumed the role and self-importantly invited the others to shelter under its shadow –an absurd proposal, since it is worthless as timber, and a menace to the farmer. What shadow could this plant hope to provide, for anyone or anything? Jotham’s Parable Presentation 010

10. The point being made was obvious: the men of Shechem had chosen a worthless king, who could neither provide security for them nor preserve them against their enemies. Time would reveal the wisdom or folly of their action: if they had done right, all would be well with them v16,19, but if not, they would with Abimelech be destroyed v20, just as bramble creepers, catching alight, could ruin farmland in a destructive inferno. It was a grimly prophetic utterance, as we see from what follows: having sown the wind, Abimelech proceeded to reap the whirlwind. This is always the case for God is not mocked! Jotham’s Parable Presentation 010

11. Nemesis had been invited, and nemesis came. God saw to that, cf. v23, which tells us that God sent an evil spirit to mar relations between Abimilech and the men of Shechem, “(they) put men in ambush against him”. What apparently happened was that they ambushed the caravans on the trade-routes passing Shechem, thus depriving Abimelech of the taxes he would normally exact from travellers passing through his territory. This was the beginning of the alienation that developed between him and the Shechemites. Verse 24, makes clear this was divine retribution for the cruel and barbarous fate, which between them they had inflicted upon the family of Gideon. Assassins and instigator alike were thus brought to judgement. Division and Rebellion Presentation 010

12. All this teaches an important lesson: evil of whatever form, has the seeds of its own destruction within it, and that self-destructive principle is inevitably at work wherever evil exercises power. This is a principle expounded in Rev. 17v15-18, where we see the various powers of evil at each others throats, involved in an orgy of mutual self-destruction. Significantly, the book of Revelation unfolds this as a source of comfort and encouragement to hard-pressed saints, and this is certainly one lesson we may draw from the story of Abimelech. Evil never pays. God is on the throne, and he will see to it that evil is brought to judgement cf. Ps. 37v10-22. Division and Rebellion Presentation 010

13. The process of disintegration is graphically outlined in v26-41. In the absence of Abimelech, Gaal, son of Ebed, made a direct challenge to Abimelech’s authority, in an attempted coup similar to many which have taken place today in unstable third world countries, when leaders have been absent at various conferences. We see just how unstable Abimelech’s rule was that the men of Shechem should have been so easily swayed by Gaal’s guile. They were men of straw, but then, had they not been made that by the evil to which they had committed themselves? Of what use could they be to anyone, when they could swing to Gaal’s allegiance as easily as they had earlier to Abimelech’s? Division and Rebellion Presentation 010

14. Gaal set himself up as the upholder of the old ways and traditions - this is surely the force of the reference to Hamorv28 - a convenient and likely tactic with men who may have already begun to be tired of Abimelech. His words in v29‘If only this people were under my command...’ are reminiscent of Absalom’s speech at the time of the revolt against his father David in 2 Sam. 15v1-6, and prompts the reflection that evil follows a sorry, unoriginal pattern - as Solomon says, “There is nothing new under the sun”. Division and Rebellion Presentation 010

15. Zebul, the ruler of the city, seems to have been with Gaal’s army for otherwise how could he have spoken as he did with him v36-37? Delitzsch thinks that he held a post similar to town mayor, and that he heard of Gaal’s contemptuous words and sent word to Abimelech from within the city - i.e. he was a kind of fifth-column inside, reporting out to Abimelech. When evil has its head, what lengths of intrigue and scheming can go on among men? Disintegration Of Evil Presentation 010

16. After Gaal’s defeat - in which Abimelech showed all the astuteness of his father Gideon’s military skill, with, alas, none of his father’s values - this apostate leader took vengeance upon the Shechemites, showing no mercy to the inhabitants of the city who had turned against him, and condemning it to perpetual desolation [this is the meaning of the symbolism of ‘sowing it with salt’, of Deut. 29v23, Jer. 17v6]. But this act of revenge was counter-productive, in that it destroyed his own capital, and the only effective basis of his power. Revenge Presentation 010

17. Once more we see in this the seeds of self-destruction at work in evil. One thinks of the words in Hosea 13v9: “O Israel, you have destroyed yourself”, for this could certainly be applied to Abimelech, in the unfeeling fury with which he dealt with Shechem. That fury knew no bounds, as we see in v46ff, in the attack on the tower of Shechem. He should have let well alone, for it was this that led ultimately to his death. The tower was destroyed, but his hatred was insatiable, and Thebez was next. Revenge Presentation 010

18. And this time it was too much. He was ignominiously destroyed, by the action of a woman casting a piece of milestone down from the parapet upon his head, breaking his skull. It was grim justice indeed, to deal with a grim and terrible situation, and brought to an end the wild cruelty of a man who went beyond all bounds in his inhumanity and viciousness. He could only have come to a violent end. The ‘thus’ in v56 introduces an editorial comment from the writer with the observation that this ugly conclusion to the story fulfilled the curse pronounced by Jotham in v20, upon both Abimelech and the men of Shechem. Prophecy Fulfilled Presentation 010