Abimelek the Son of Gideon

Judges

Week 21 — Abimelek the Son of Gideon

1. Grasping ___________.

Chad Bird: … it's almost a standalone sort of story. … it reads kind of like it's from a Canaanite textbook on their own history, because there's very little here that has to do specifically with Israel. This is a story of assassinations and of fratricide, of the killing of brothers, and kind of how evil leads to the disintegration of society and trust. And how in the end you end up with a lot of death, a lot of betrayal, and people basically having to sleep in the bed that they made because they set this whole cycle of violence and betrayal up.

¹ Abimelek son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to visit his mother’s brothers. He spoke to them and to the entire clan of his mother’s household, saying, ² “Please announce this in the hearing of all the citizens of Shechem: What is better for you? If seventy men—all of the sons of Jerubbaal—rule over you, or if one man rules over you? Also remember this—I am your own flesh and blood.” (Jdg 9:1–2)

Tim Keller: It was the place where God appeared to Abram to tell him that this was the land he had promised to give him, and so it was the first place in the promised land to have an altar built in worship of the Lord (Genesis 12:6-7). And it was the first place where Abram's descendants gathered to worship the Lord after they had crossed into the land under Joshua.

³ His mother’s brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the citizens of Shechem. So their hearts were inclined toward Abimelek, because they said, “He is our brother.” (Jdg 9:3)

⁴ They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal of the Covenant. With the money, Abimelek hired worthless, reckless men, who traveled with him. (Jdg 9:4)

Tim Keller: The other leaders in this book govern on the basis of some revelation from God. But here authority is not a matter of judging or delivering, but rather is an exercise of naked power.

The Cycle of Judges—Five “R’s.”

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⁵ He came to his father’s household at Ophrah, and he murdered his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal—seventy men slaughtered on one stone. Only one remained alive, Jotham son of Jerubbaal, the youngest, for he had hidden himself. (Jdg 9:5)

⁵ And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed [הָרַג (ha·rag)] his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone [אֶבֶן (e-ven)]. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. (Jdg 9:5, ESV)

The Angel of God said to him [Gideon], “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and set them on this rock [סֶלַע (se-la)], and pour out the broth.” So that is what he did. (Jdg 6:20)

Be my rock and my refuge to which I can always go. You give the command to save me, because you are my high ridge [סֶלַע (se-la)] and my stronghold. (Ps 71:3)

Gideon had seventy sons, who were his direct descendants from his own body, because he had many wives. (Jdg 8:30)

Every living thing that was on the face of the earth was wiped out, including mankind, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They all were wiped off the earth. Only Noah was left, as well as those who were with him in the ark. (Ge 7:23)

⁶ Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered together, and they went and crowned Abimelek as king by the oak tree next to the memorial pillar that was in Shechem. (Jdg 9:6)

Tim Keller: There is a good lesson in choosing a leader here. We are often far too easily impressed by qualities that are unimportant to God. Further, we can far too easily be swayed by pragmatic arguments. God does not prize popularity, humor, or academic intelligence, being an extrovert, and so on. He seeks men who hold to his truth, seek to lead their family rightly, are patient and self-controlled (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). He does not want well-mannered, well-dressed, 21st-century equivalents of Abimelech, chosen for the wrong reasons and the wrong qualities.

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God. (Ro 13:1)

After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love. (Ga 5:13)

The purpose of these two kingdoms:

The purpose of the Church is to proclaim the gospel of Christ crucified, administer the sacraments, call sinners to repentance and faith, forgive sins, nurture believers in godly living, and extend this mission worldwide—all so that people may be brought to eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is accomplished solely through the spiritual means God has provided: the Word and sacraments.

The purpose of the State is to uphold external peace, justice, and order in a fallen world, enabling all people—including believers—to live securely and allowing the church to proclaim the gospel freely.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, (Ro 8:28)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. What stands out to you most about Abimelek’s character and actions in this chapter? Why?
3. Why is it significant that Abimelek’s rise to power begins with money from a pagan shrine rather than from God?
4. The sermon described Abimelek as someone who believed he had to “get for himself.” In what ways can that same mindset show up in our own lives today?
5. What qualities did the people of Shechem value when choosing Abimelek as king? How does that compare to what God values in leaders?
6. Think about decisions you make (big or small). How can you guard against making choices based purely on convenience, self-interest, or “what works” instead of what honors God?
7. If God is sovereign and in control, how do we reconcile that with the horrific evil actions in this chapter (like the murder of Abimelek’s brothers)? What does this teach us about God’s justice and timing?
8. In what subtle ways might we “grasp for power” in our own lives (control in relationships, recognition, influence, etc.) while still appearing outwardly “good” or religious?
9. Why is Jotham’s survival so important in this story? What does it reveal about God’s involvement even in dark situations?
10. Abimelek is a false and destructive “king.” How does this contrast help you better understand and appreciate Jesus as your true King?

Read: Judges 9, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Luke 10:23-37, Galatians 5:13-15