Abimelek the Son of Gideon

Judges

Week 24 — Abimelek the Son of Gideon

1. Grasping power.

2. The bramble

3. The fire of the thornbush.

^9:41b Zebul drove out Ga’al and his brothers, so that they could not stay in Shechem. (Jdg 9:41b)

⁴² The next day, when the people went out into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelek. ^43a He took his people and divided them into three units and set up an ambush in the countryside. (Jdg 9:42–43a)

^43b As he kept watch, he saw people coming out of the city. He rose up against them and struck them down. ⁴⁴ Abimelek and the unit that was with him rushed forward and took a position in front of the entrance to the city’s gatehouse. The other two units attacked everyone who was still out in the open country and struck them down. ⁴⁵ Abimelek fought against the city all that day and captured it. He killed the people who were in it, and he tore down the city and sowed it with salt. (Jdg 9:43b-45)

⁴⁶ When all the citizens defending the citadel of Shechem realized what was happening, they went into the vault of the temple of El of the Covenant. ⁴⁷ When it was reported to Abimelek that all the citizens were gathered together in the citadel of Shechem, ⁴⁸ Abimelek went up to Mount Zalmon—he and all the people who were with him. Abimelek took an ax in his hand and cut brushwood. He picked up the brush and placed it on his shoulder. He told the people who were with him, “Quickly do exactly what you saw me do.” ⁴⁹ All the people, each man, also cut brushwood and followed Abimelek. They placed the branches against the vault and with the branches they set the vault on fire, and all the people in the citadel of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women. (Jdg 9:46–49)

[Jesus said] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his angels. (Mt 25:41)

⁵⁰ Abimelek then went to Thebez, besieged it, and captured it. (Jdg 9:50)

⁵¹ There was a strong tower in the middle of the city, and all the men and women and all the rulers of the city fled there. They shut it up tight behind them and went up to the roof of the tower. ⁵² Abimelek came up to the tower and attacked it. He approached the entrance of the tower to burn it down. (Jdg 9:51–52)

⁵³ A certain [אֶחָד (e·cḥāḏ)] woman threw down an upper millstone onto the head of Abimelek, and she fractured his skull. ⁵⁴ He called quickly to the young man who carried his gear and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that they do not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So this young man ran him through with his sword, and Abimelek died. (Jdg 9:53–54)

God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. (Jas 4:6)

⁵⁵ When the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, they all went back, each to his place. (Jdg 9:55)

… worthless, reckless men (Jdg 9:4)

After Abimelek ruled over Israel three years, (Jdg 9:22)

Martin Luther: Therefore every father of a family is also a bishop and priest in his house… to teach them what they need to know. (Large Catechism, Preface)

⁶ These words that I am commanding you today are to be on your heart. ⁷ Teach them diligently to your children, and speak about them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Dt 6:6–7)

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)

Large Catechism: Parents are apostles, bishops, and pastors to their children.

Children are far more likely to remain in the faith when:

• Faith is practiced at home

• Church involvement is consistent

• Both parents are engaged

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:14–16)

⁵⁶ In this way God avenged the evil that Abimelek had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. ⁵⁷ God also returned all the evil done by the men of Shechem onto their own heads, and the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them. (Jdg 9:56–57)

²⁰ But if not, may fire come out from Abimelek and consume the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and may fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelek.” (Jdg 9:20)

4. God is not ______________.

⁵⁵ When the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, they all went back, each to his place. (Jdg 9:55)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. The people of Shechem had helped Abimelek gain power earlier in the chapter. What does their destruction reveal about the danger of supporting evil for personal advantage?
3. Why is the destruction of the tower of Shechem especially significant in the context of Israel’s relationship with false gods?
4. Judges 9 repeatedly shows violence escalating. What does this chapter teach about the nature of unchecked sin?
5. Abimelek wanted to avoid the shame of being remembered as someone killed by a woman. What does this reveal about his heart even at the moment of death?
6. Compare Abimelek in Judges 9 with Christ in Philippians 2:3–11. What are the sharpest contrasts between these two “kings”?
7. Why do sinful people so often admire pride, dominance, and power instead of humility and service?
8. In what situations are you most tempted to seek control, recognition, or influence instead of humbly serving others?
9. How can the humility of Christ shape the way you handle conflict, leadership, or criticism this week?

Read: 2 Corinthians 4