In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

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In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

When The Judges Ruled Israel

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 The only “non-judge” leader

Sometimes called “The Bramble King” From here on out, Israel will no longer enjoy

periodic seasons of God-given rest 8:28 Another indication of deteriorating spirituality

This story takes place in Manasseh(Shechem and Thebez)

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 His description vv. 1-4

Son by Gideon’s Shechem concubine 8:31 He goes to Shechem to convince them it is

better he rule over them than Gideon’s 70 sons…they agreed vv. 2-3

His basis he was their relative

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 His description vv. 1-4

To “seal the deal”…the men of Shechem gave Abimelech 70 silver pieces from the house of Baal-berith v. 4

Abimelech used the money to hire worthless (reckless) fellows to form a “gang”

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 His actions vv. 5-6

He took his “gang” to Ophrah and killed all Gideon’s 70 sons except one (Jotham)

He did this to remove all political rivals that would threaten his rule

Afterwards, the men of Shechem declared Abimelech king

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 His actions vv. 5-6

What he was driven to do was in direct contradiction to his father’s previous actions

8:22-23

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21

Hearing about Abimelech’s “coronation,” he ascends Mt. Gerizim and utters a “parable” to illustrate the foolishness of Abimelech being made king vv. 7-15

The trees & vine were “noble”…the bramble was anything but “noble” (useless)

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21

He gave his “blessing” on Abimelech’s rule only if he & the men of Shechem had behaved with integrity and truth

He knew they had not…he reminded all of what his father had done re: Midian

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21

He also reminded them of how ruthlessly they had treated Gideon’s house

He concluded by pronouncing a judgment (curse) upon Abimelech & the Shechemites

Afterwards, he had to flee for safety

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech & the Shechemites vv. 22-25

Abimelech ruled for 3 years God then sent an “evil spirit” between them The Shechemites dealt treacherously with

their “king” v. 25 (to discredit him) It was a Divine judgment vv. 23-25

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech & the Shechemites vv. 22-25

A “pact” formed by ruthless men has no principle

Being a “pack of wolves,” it often implodes because they eventually turn on one another

God used this reality to accomplish His will

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29

The son of Ebed…he came to Shechem and did what Abimelech had done

After gaining the trust of Shechem, they all had a drinking feast where they cursed Abimelech in the house of their god

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29

He further scorned Abimelech, and exhorted the Shechemites to officially revolt

He suggested they now follow him…if he were ruler, he would remove Abimelech

Lastly, he called Abimelech out to battle

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29

Two character flaws on display… The men of Shechem show a willingness to

follow anybody 1 Cor 15:33 Gaal is like many who proudly boast against

someone who is not there to answer 2 Cor 10:8-11

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Zebul’s actions vv. 30-33

The “ruler of the city” (mayor, etc.?) He was obviously still loyal to Abimelech…

he informed Abimelech of Gaal’s boasting He advised Abimelech to attack Shechem at

dawn to put down the rebellion

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Gaal vv. 34-41

Abimelech agreed…he arrived with his men When Gaal went out in the morning, the

ambush began Initially, Gaal wasn’t sure of what he saw Zebul reminded him of his boastful words

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Gaal vv. 34-41

Abimelech routed Gaal’s forces…Gaal fled Zebul drove Gaal and his relatives out from

Shechem so they could not return

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Shechem vv. 42-49

The next day, Abimelech killed all the field workers

He attacked the city, killed the city dwellers, razed it to the ground, and sowed it with salt

His judgment on Shechem for their rebellion

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Shechem vv. 42-49

Abimelech was informed the city leaders had taken refuge in the tower (temple fortress)

He gathered wood…told his men to do same He burned down the tower…about 1,000 men

& women were killed

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Thebez vv. 50-55

Apparently, Thebez had also rebelled He attacked the city and captured it Like Shechem, it had a tower…the leaders

went there for refuge His plans were to do the same as at Shechem

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 Abimelech vs. Thebez vv. 50-55

When approaching the tower to burn it, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head…his skull was crushed

To avoid the shame of being killed by a woman, Abimelech asked his armor bearer to kill him with his sword

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57 God’s judgment vv. 56-57

God repaid Abimelech’s wickedness re: the murder of Gideon’s 70 sons

God also repaid the wickedness of the men of Shechem for their willingness to follow Abimelech’s treachery

Jotham’s curse was fulfilled

In The Days When The Judges RuledBiblical Studies From Judges & Ruth

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