What we see of Abimelech in Judges 9 is really the impact of Gideon’s doing in Chapter 8. Gideon made an ephod of the golden earrings that he collected and put it in his city. All Israel whored after the ephod, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family (8:26-27). In another instance, the men of Israel had asked Gideon to rule over them (8:22). While Gideon verbally rejected the request, and said that the Lord will rule over them (8:23), what he did instead was to name his son Abimelech (8:31), which literally meant “my father is king”. Tacitly, Gideon had claimed kingship through the naming of his son.

Judges 9 relates the rise and fall of Abimelech. Abimelech showed treachery against the house of Jerubbaal by pitting his maternal family against his paternal family. Certainly, Abimelech’s behaviour was inspired by his father’s desire to be king, but at the same time, Abimelech rejects, hates, and despises his father. Therefore, he plotted against his father’s family and killed seventy brothers, leaving only one brother, Jotham, who escaped.

Judges 9 tells us that Abimelech only reigned for three years (9:22) before God personally avenged the violence committed by Abimelech. God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (9:23), personally being the architect of the estrangement between Abimelech and his maternal family, who were his former allies. The fall of Abimelech recorded Shechem’s two acts of treachery against Abimelech, Abimelech’s ambush, and his unexpected death at the hand of “a certain woman”.

In this chapter’s account of Abimelech’s rise and fall, we see a pattern of sin and exact retribution. Those who were directly responsible were destroyed and retribution brings the evil to an end (9:55-57). While it seemed like men were making all the decisions in this account, if we were to read the chapter again carefully, it is clear that God is in sovereign control whether the Israelites acknowledged him or not.

Similarly, as we look at the happenings in the world today, where injustice dominates, and wickedness, immoral acts, and recklessness abound, it may appear as though evil is in control and God had taken a backseat. However, evil as we understand it, or the sins of men, even believers, will never negate God’s sovereignty. Evil may dominate, sin may permeate, but evil men will not finally prosper (Psalm 1:4 says, “The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away). God is in control and will eventually move things to His intended outcome. Our Lord is righteous, just, and holy. Therefore, fear Him and obey Him.

The account of Abimelech is also a reminder that our sins and disobedience has an impact on the next generation and beyond. May we learn to obey God, and to love God, teach His Word to our children, and testify of His works in our lives, so that our children and our children’s children may know God intimately.

Prayer : Dear Lord, help me to know you today, so that the next generation may know you. Help me to obey you today, so that I will not sin and turn away from you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.