Part 2: The downward spiral of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 3:7-16:31), continued

Gideon (Judges 6:1-8:35), continued

Abimelech, apostate “king” (Judges 9:1-5)

Abimelech’s sordid rise (Judges 9:1-6)

  • Abimelech hired worthless men and went and killed all his brothers except for Jotham.

Indictment of Abimelech; Jotham’s fable (Judges 9:7-21)

  • The image here is of a bramble ruling over cedars of Lebanon. Jotham was trying to expose their hypocrisy.

Abimelech’s violent reign and end (Judges 9:22-55)

  • Judges 9:26 – Gaal means “abhor” and Ebed means “servant.” Some suggest this was not actually his name but was a commentary on him by the author.
  • Judges 9:45 – Sowing the ground with salt would make the soil infertile, making it difficult to inhabit the city.
  • Judges 9:54 – Compare the death of Sisera by Jael (Judges 4:21-22) and the death of Saul (I Samuel 31:4).

Final verdict on Abimelech

Class 7 Takeaway

  • The Shechemite leaders aided and abetted Abimelech in his sinful act of murdering his half-brothers. This resulted in their condemnation along with Abimelech’s (Judges 9:24, 57).
  • We need to be very careful not to support, promote, or otherwise aid the sins of others.