The Downfall of Abimelech

 

January 1, 2021

 

Judges 9:22-23

 

The Downfall of Abimelech

 

Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.   And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,  that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.   And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.

 

And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put confidence in him.   And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival, and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech.   And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him?   Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’”

When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.   And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, 

 

“Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed, and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.   Now, therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field.   Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them as your hand finds to do.”

 

Do you recall when the people tried to get Gideon to be king and then his sons, he was very clear on this point, I will not be your king, nor my sons, but God will rule over you, and the people agreed.  But Gideon has died and Abimelech the son of his servant girl has now killed 70 of his brothers and only his youngest brother has escaped.  Do you recall the speech he made to the leaders and now God is doing all that Jotham has said?

 

God did not tell Abimelech to kill his brothers, after three short years of ruling over Israel, God is going to bring the judgment that Jotham has proclaimed.  Keep reading!

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice