The Book of Judges – Abimelech – Christianity

Great turmoil followed the death of Gideon. Although he refused the title of king, he ruled as if he was one. He even named one of his sons Abimelech, which translates to “My father is king.” The question was: “Who among his legitimate seventy sons would be his successor?” What would come of Gideon’s legacy? Judges chapter 9 answers.

Animosity was brewing between Israel’s two largest tribes. Gideon’s diplomatic skills kept the rivalry at bay during his lifetime. Abimelech though inflamed the division. He was drunk with a lust for power and appealed to his mother’s side of the family in Shechem:

Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal [Gideon], who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you? Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

It worked. Leaders provided funds for Abimelech to hire a group of mercenaries. They captured and brutally massacred Gideon’s many sons, one-by-one on a stone, presumably while the others watched. His rule now uncontested, convinced the leaders of Shechem to pronounce him king. Unlike Gideon who had some restraint, Abimelech had none. He was a typical middle eastern tyrant.

The description of the rise and fall of Abimelech is well described prophetically by Jothan, Gideon’s youngest son who somehow managed to escape the fate of his brothers.

One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves.

They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

But the olive tree replied,
Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?
Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

But the fig tree replied,
Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?
Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’

But the grapevine replied,
Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?
Finally all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’

But the bramble replied,
If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade.

But if not, may fire come out of the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
Jothan speaking:
If you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal [Gideon] and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-Millo [House of the fortification where Abimelech was made king], and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-Millo and consume Abimelech.” (Jdg 9:8–20).

This parable is consistent with Hebrew poetry that uses living organisms and non-living elements to make a point. Fig trees, olive trees, and grape vines are busy producing valuable crops just like people of character provide valuable services to the community. They have no need to seek power and dominate. On the other hand Abimelech represents a person whose character resembles the bramble. He will rule by force and eventually destroy everything in his path, including himself.

Abimelech ruled as a warlord for three years. During this time, the rulers of Shechem began to grumble. When Gaal emerged as a potential alternative the elders switched sides. Disaster followed. Abimelech obliterated Shechem and seeded it with salt. The leaders tried to escape by fleeing to a tower named El Berith (God of the covenant), but they were burned alive. After this, Abimelech attempted to repeat the strategy to Thebez, a nearby town. This time, an unnamed woman dropped a millstone from the top of a tower onto his head. Ironically, the man who killed all of Gideon’s sons on a single stone, was himself killed by one millstone. The nightmare ends with Gideon’s legacy sealed. Without external threats, Israel turned on itself with violence and self-destruction.

Application

This episode begins with the verse:

And as soon as Gideon was dead, the Israelites turned and prostituted themselves with the Baals, and they set up Baal-Berith [Baal of the covenant] as their god. The Israelites failed to remember the LORD their God who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. (Jdg 8:33–34).

It ends with:

And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem [the center location for Canaanite idolatry] back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal [Gideon] came upon them (Jdg 9:56–57).

Jesus warned us:

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

It is a dangerous thing to gradually dip-in and then swim in the cultural waters of the day. First we lose God’s protection. Next we begin to rely on our own insights which are tainted in various ways. Finally, we fight and hurt each other as the world looks on.

Thanks for listening.

References

Barry G. Webb, The Book of Judges: New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Eerdmans (2012),268-297.
Daniel I. Block, The New American Commentary: Judges, Ruth, B & H Publishing (1999), 308–336.
John H. Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary& Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, Zondervan (2009), 169–174.

Dan Harvey, author of Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing the Apocalypse, secondlooknow.com

The Book of Judges – Abimelech

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