Abimelech’s Conspiracy (chapter 9)
• This is a story of a tragically FLAWED attempt at
kingship during the Judges era
• Abimelech, illegitimate son of Gideon, asks the
question
• Which is better 70 RULERS or 1 ruler (9:2)
• Through his mother’s persuasive powers he
convinces the leaders of Shechem to make him
ruler.
• He then hired a group of mercenaries and KILLED
his 70 brothers and was made King! (9.5-6)
Jotham’s Parable
• Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son,
hoped to persuade people that
Abimelech was a poor choice to be
their king
• If they would reject Abimelech, God
would answer their prayers.
• Jotham spoke as a prophet might
speak, but he is never called a
prophet
Jotham’s Parable
• See Judges 9:8 – 15
• Johtam’s parable features plants that can
speak – represent different RULERS
• Jotham’s parable doesn’t oppose
kingship but simply REJECTS Abimelech
• The olive tree, fig tree, and vine
produced abundant food, but the
bramble was worthless and its thorns
harmful. – Abimelech is the bramble
Jotham’s Parable
• Jotham questions their MOTIVES
• Did you “act” in good faith and
INTEGRITY? (9:16)
• Did you treat others properly as they
have treated you? (9:17)
• Di you respect the past and honor those
who fought for you? (9:18-19)
• If not then DESTRUCTION is your future
(9:20 – 21)
The Downfall of Abimelech
• He ruled for only 3 years (9:22)
• God sent an EVIL spirit to create a wedge
between Abimelech and the leaders of
Shechem (9:23)
• The LORD ALLOWS Satan and his evil angels to
inspire an attitude of distrust and bitterness
• The leaders of Shechem CONSPIRED against
Abimelech with acts of treachery – ambush
travelers along the mountaintops (9:25)
Gaal’s Big Mouth (9:26 - 41)
• A man by the name of Gaal moves into
Shechem and the LEADERS of Shechem take a
liking to him (v. 26)
• In his attempt to incite the CROWD against
Abimelech his ticks of commander Zebul (9:27
– 30)
• Zebul conspires with Abimelech to set an
AMBUSH in the mountaintops (9:31 – 34)
• See 9:35 – 41
Abimelech’s Revenge and
Downfall (9:42 – 57)
• Not satisfied with Gaal’s defeat, Abimelech
attacked the unsuspecting Schechemites on
their way out to their fields, because they
supported his enemy (v 42 – 43)
• He stood at the city gate watching the attack
and then fought against the city all day (v 45)
• All the remaining leaders took refuge in the
Tower of Shechem, so Abimelech gathered
BRUSHWOOD
Abimelch then attacked the city of Thebez…but a
certain women who as in the strong tower threw a
millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull
Jotham’s Curse Fulfilled
• Jotham’s curse was fulfilled
• God avenged the blood of his servant GIDEON
• The first attempt at kingship in Israel fails
miserably, because Abimelech is an unworthy
candidate
• Government requires leaders of INTERGRITY
• Luther – “a wise prince is a rare bird”
• We gave thanks to KING Jesus who always
walks with integrity
Lincoln Cathedral
Tola and Jair (10:1 – 5)
• Tolah – a man of Issachar and lived in the hill
country of Ephraim
– He judged Israel 23 years
– He died and was buried at Shamir
• Jair – a Gileadite
– He judged Israel 22 years
– He had 30 sons and a donkey for each
– He died and was buried in Kamon
Israel Sinks Even Lower
• We are now about 300 years removed from the
EXODUS
• Israel is once again doing “evil” in the eyes of
the LORD (10:6)
• Israel is now worshipping…
– Baals
– Ashtaroth
– Gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Ammonites, and
Philistines
• They FORSAKE the LORD and didn’t SERVE HIM
God’s Righteous Anger
• He SOLD them into slavery to the Philistines
and Ammonites (10:7)
• He CRUSHED and OPPRESSED Israel for 18
years by the hand of their enemies (10:8)
• Israel was severely DISTRESSED (10:9)
• Israel cries out the LORD (10:10)
• God is ready to be DONE with Israel
– You want to worship foreign Gods let them save
you (10:13 – 14)
ISRAEL’S DESPERATION
•
•
•
•
We have SINNED
Do to us whatever seems GOOD to you
Only please deliver us this day
So they destroyed their idols, repented, and
turned back to Yahweh (10:15)
• Yahweh became IMPATIENT over the misery
that Israel was experiencing (10:16)
• So God will raise up another JUDGE to rescue
his people (see chapter 11)