CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Judges 9
Chapter 9 of 21
Chapter Overview
What happens in Judges 9
Abimelech, Gideon's son by a concubine, murders his seventy brothers and makes himself king over Shechem. His youngest brother Jotham escapes and tells a parable warning of destruction. After three years, God brings judgment on both Abimelech and the people of Shechem.
Scripture
Judges 9
Abimelech Kills His Brothers and Becomes King
Study note
Abimelech went to his mother's relatives in Shechem and convinced them to support him as ruler instead of Gideon's seventy sons. They gave him silver from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire reckless thugs. He went to Ophrah and murdered all seventy of his brothers on a single stone, except for Jotham, the youngest, who hid. The people of Shechem and Beth-millo then crowned Abimelech as king.
1 Abimelech, one of Gideon's sons, traveled to Shechem to visit his mother's side of the family. He spoke with his mother's brothers and all her relatives. And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
2 He said, "Go to the leaders of Shechem and ask them, 'What would you prefer: having all seventy of Gideon's sons ruling over you, or having just one man in charge?' And do not forget, I am one of your own family." Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3 His mother's brothers went and repeated everything to the leaders of Shechem. The leaders chose to support Abimelech because they said, "He is one of us." And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4 They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used the money to hire a gang of reckless troublemakers to follow him around. And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
5 He went to his father's home in Ophrah and murdered all seventy of his brothers, Gideon's sons, executing them one after another on a single stone. Only Jotham, the youngest, survived by hiding. And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6 Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo got together. They made Abimelech their king beside the great tree near the pillar in Shechem. And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Jotham's Parable of the Trees
Study note
Jotham stood on Mount Gerizim and told a fable about trees looking for a king. The olive tree, fig tree, and grapevine all refused because they had useful work to do. Only the thornbush accepted, threatening to burn down the mighty cedars of Lebanon. The moral was clear: good leaders are too busy doing good work to grab power, and only worthless people like Abimelech seek to rule through violence. Jotham warned that Abimelech and Shechem would destroy each other, then fled for his life.
7 When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted down to the people below, "Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, if you want God to listen to you!" And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8 "Once upon a time, the trees decided they wanted a king. They went to the olive tree and said, 'Will you be our king?'" The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9 "The olive tree answered, 'Why would I stop making my rich oil that honors God and people? Should I give that up just to wave back and forth over the other trees?'" But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
10 "So the trees went to the fig tree and asked, 'How about you? Will you be our king?'" And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
11 "The fig tree answered, 'Why would I give up producing my delicious fruit just to wave back and forth over the other trees?'" But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12 "Next, the trees approached the grapevine and asked, 'Will you be our king?'" Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13 "The grapevine said, 'Why would I quit making my wine that brings joy to God and people, just to sway back and forth over the other trees?'" And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
14 "So finally, the trees went to the thornbush and asked, 'Will you be our king?'" Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
15 "The thornbush answered the trees, 'If you truly want me as your king, come find safety in my shade. But if you do not truly mean it, may fire blaze out from me and burn up even the great cedars of Lebanon!'" And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16 "Now think about this: Did you act with honesty and fairness when you made Abimelech your king? Did you treat Gideon and his family the way they deserved?" Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
17 "My father put his life on the line for you. He fought hard and rescued you from the Midianites." (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
18 "But today you have turned on my father's family. You murdered his seventy sons on one stone. Then you made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over Shechem's leaders, because he happens to be your relative." And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
19 "If you truly acted with honesty and fairness toward Gideon and his family today, then enjoy your time with Abimelech. And may he enjoy his time with you!" If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
20 "But if you did not act fairly, then may fire burst out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo! And may fire burst out from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!" But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
21 After saying this, Jotham ran away and escaped to Beer, where he stayed because he feared his brother Abimelech. And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Conflict Between Abimelech and Shechem
Study note
After Abimelech ruled for three years, God sent an evil spirit of division between him and the people of Shechem. This was God's punishment for the murder of Gideon's seventy sons. A man named Gaal moved to Shechem and led a rebellion against Abimelech. But Zebul, the city governor loyal to Abimelech, secretly warned Abimelech. In the ensuing battle, Abimelech defeated Gaal and drove him out of the city.
22 Abimelech governed Israel for three years. When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
23 Then God stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem by sending an evil spirit between them. The leaders turned against Abimelech. Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
24 God did this to make sure punishment came for the murder of Gideon's seventy sons. The guilt fell on Abimelech, who killed them, and on the leaders of Shechem, who backed him up. That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
25 The leaders of Shechem planted ambushes on the hilltops and robbed everyone who traveled past. Word of this reached Abimelech. And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
26 Around this time, a man named Gaal son of Ebed moved to Shechem with his relatives. The leaders of Shechem decided to trust and follow him. And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27 They went out to their vineyards, picked grapes, pressed them, and threw a big celebration. They went into the temple of their god, feasted and drank, and cursed Abimelech. And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
28 Gaal son of Ebed started boasting, "Who does Abimelech think he is? Why should we take orders from him? He is just Gideon's son, and Zebul is just his deputy. We should be following the descendants of Hamor, who founded Shechem! Why should any of us serve Abimelech?" And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
29 "If I were in charge of these people, I would get rid of Abimelech in no time!" Then he taunted Abimelech, saying, "Get your army together and come fight me!" And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
30 Zebul, the city's governor, was furious when he heard what Gaal had been saying. And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31 He secretly sent a message to Abimelech. He warned, "Gaal son of Ebed and his family have come to Shechem. They are turning the whole city against you." And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
32 "Tonight, bring your men and hide in the fields outside the city." Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
33 "At sunrise, charge the city. When Gaal and his men come out to fight, do whatever you need to do to defeat them." And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
34 So Abimelech and all his soldiers moved in at night and split into four groups to hide around Shechem. And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 In the morning Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the city gate. Then Abimelech and his men jumped out from their hiding places. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
36 Gaal spotted the soldiers and said to Zebul, "Look, there are people coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul replied, "You are just seeing shadows on the hills that look like people." And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
37 But Gaal insisted, "No, look! There are people coming down from the center of the land, and another group is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak!" And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
38 Zebul turned on him and said, "Where is all that big talk now? You were the one bragging, 'Who is Abimelech that we should obey him?' Well, there is the army you made fun of. Go out and fight them!" Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
39 So Gaal led the men of Shechem out to fight Abimelech. And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
40 Abimelech chased Gaal, and Gaal turned and ran. Many of his men fell wounded along the way, all the way back to the city gate. And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
41 Abimelech set up his base at Arumah, while Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem. And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
Abimelech Destroys Shechem
Study note
The next day Abimelech ambushed the people of Shechem who went out to their fields. He captured the city, killed the people, tore it down, and scattered salt over it to symbolize permanent destruction. The remaining leaders of Shechem took refuge in the stronghold of the temple of El-berith. Abimelech and his men cut tree branches, piled them against the stronghold, and set it on fire, killing about a thousand men and women.
42 The following day, the people of Shechem headed out to work in their fields. When Abimelech heard about it, And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
43 he split his soldiers into three groups and set an ambush in the fields. As soon as the people came out of the city, he attacked and killed them. And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
44 Abimelech and his group rushed to block the city gate while the other two groups attacked everyone caught in the open fields. And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
45 Abimelech fought against the city all day long. When he finally took it over, he killed everyone inside. He tore the city apart and scattered salt over the ruins. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46 When the leaders in the Tower of Shechem heard what happened, they ran for safety. They hid inside the fortress of the temple of El-berith. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
47 Abimelech received word that all the Tower of Shechem leaders had gathered in one place. And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48 He hiked up Mount Zalmon with his entire army, grabbed an axe, hacked off a tree branch, and hoisted it onto his shoulder. He shouted to his men, "Quick! Do exactly what I did!" And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
49 So every soldier cut off a branch and followed Abimelech. They stacked the branches against the fortress and set the whole thing ablaze with the people still trapped inside. Around a thousand men and women died. And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
Abimelech's Death at Thebez
Study note
Abimelech attacked the city of Thebez and tried the same tactic of burning down its tower. But a woman dropped a millstone on his head and cracked his skull. Not wanting to be remembered as being killed by a woman, Abimelech ordered his armor-bearer to finish him off with a sword. Thus God repaid both Abimelech's wickedness and the wickedness of the men of Shechem, just as Jotham had predicted in his parable.
50 After that, Abimelech marched to the town of Thebez and captured it. Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51 Inside the town there was a well-built tower. Every man, woman, and leader fled to it, locked the doors, and climbed to the roof. But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
52 Abimelech went right up to the tower to attack it. He got close to the door, planning to set it on fire. And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53 But a woman on the roof dropped a heavy millstone on Abimelech's head and cracked his skull. And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
54 Abimelech quickly shouted to the young man carrying his weapons, "Pull out your sword and finish me off! I do not want people saying that a woman killed me." So the young man ran his sword through Abimelech, and he died. Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55 Once the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone packed up and went home. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
56 That is how God paid Abimelech back for the terrible thing he did to his father. He had murdered his seventy brothers. Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all the evil they had done. Everything Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, had warned about came true. And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Key Themes
Themes in Judges 9
The destructive nature of selfish ambitionGod's justice catching up with the wickedThe danger of following unworthy leadersJotham's parable about true versus false leadership
Apply This Today
Living Judges 9
Abimelech's story is a cautionary tale about what happens when leadership is seized rather than given by God. His rise through violence led to his destruction through violence. Jotham's parable warns that those who grab power through manipulation will ultimately destroy both themselves and those who support them.
Go Deeper
Study Judges in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.