Abimelech in the book of judges

Abimelech was the son of gideon by a concubine in shechem. The placing of his story in the book of judges is apparently due to its connection with the traditions about the house of gideon. Abimelech himself was financed with silver from the treasury of baalberith judges 9. In the next battle against thebez, abimelech himself was killed.

And abimelech the son of jerubbaal went to shechem unto his mothers brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mothers father, saying, judges 9. Is it better for you to be ruled by the 70 sons of gideon or to be ruled by only one man. The book of judges depicts the life of israel in the promised land from the death of joshua to the rise of the monarchy. Oct 09, 2014 abimelechs death could also be understood as a divine punishment for his evil actions. Gideon was raised up by god and while he lived israel had peace judges 8.

Were in a series of messages from the old testament book of judges. He said to his uncles and all of his mothers family, 2 ask the leaders of the city of shechem this question. In the narrative of the hebrew bible, it covers the time between the conquest described in the book of joshua and the establishment of a kingdom in the books of samuel, during which biblical judges served as temporary leaders. In the book of judges in the hebrew bible, abimelech was a son of the great judge gideon judges 9. The title refers to the leaders israel had from the time of the elders who outlived joshua until the time of the monarchy. If you have your bible with you this morning, i invite you to turn to the 9th chapter of judges with me. He was, however, merely the son of gideons concubine, and to make good. He asked them whether they would prefer to be ruled by seventy rulers or just one, and he claimed them as.

Please see our article on this particular abimelech for more information. This study on judges originated from a handout and class notes in dr. Mar 09, 2018 abimelech was a son of gideon, the king of israel, and his concubine from shechem. At any rate, abimelech maintained close ties with the israelites, since he ruled not judged over israel three. Abimelech also spelled abimelek, one of gideons sons, served as a judge of israel following the judgeship of gideon. Abimelech armor of god artaxerxes bible education bible study book of judges childrens bible education childrens education citizenship communion consuming the news wisely contentment david and bathsheba deborah doubt education in america eli expert swordsman feast of tabernacles freedom gideon gods love hannah history of childrens bible. According to the book of judges, abimelech went to shechem to meet with his mothers brethren and grandfather and claimed that he should be the only ruler over his mothers brethren and the men of shechem and not his brothers. A summary and brief commentary on important aspects of these stories from the book of judges, by dr. But probably the most wellknown abimelech in the bible is the headstrong and murderous son of gideon in the book of judges. This summary of the book of judges provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of judges. Ascension to nobility the killing of seventy brothers. Events within the book of judges span the geographical breadth of the nation, happening in a variety of cities, towns, and battlefields. There are a couple of people named abimelech in the scriptures, but in the book of judges, he was one of the sons of judge gideon born to his concubine at shechem.

So abimelechs armorbearer ran his sword through him, and he. Abimelech judges 9 is never described in scripture as being one of the judges of ancient israel. The father of abiathar, and high priest in the time of david 1 chronicles 18. He was, however, merely the son of gideons concubine, and to make good his. God sent an evil spirit between abimelech and the lords of shechem. He has about 70 brothers ahead of him in line for the throne. Scholars believe some of the judges ruled simultaneously in. Jan 02, 2020 but probably the most wellknown abimelech in the bible is the headstrong and murderous son of gideon in the book of judges. The extent of abimelech s kingdom was very limited. This word is unique to the book and is perhaps chosen to distinguish abimelech s illfated rule from that of the true judges. One of gideons many sons, he was born to the concubine a kind of secondclass wife gideon had married in shechem judges 8. Judges 9 erv abimelech becomes king abimelech was bible. Abimelech also spelled abimelek, one of gideons sons, served as a judge.

The book of judges, sefer shoftim is the seventh book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. Judges chapter 9 abimelech murdered his seventy brothers. He asked them whether they would prefer to be ruled by seventy rulers or just one, and he claimed them as equal brothers. Abimelech was a son of gideon, the king of israel, and his concubine from shechem. According to the book of judges, abimelech went to shechem to meet with his mothers brethren and grandfather and claimed. Abimelechs punishment 52 when abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. Abimelech is made king and kills gideons sons 16 jotham uses a parable to call for gods judgment against abimelech and the people of shechem. Read the full story of abimelech from the book of judges below and find articles. Judges 9 english standard version esv abimelechs conspiracy. Abimelechs death could also be understood as a divine punishment for his evil actions. Abimelech ruled for three years from 1151bc1149bc, he started his rule by killing the 70 sons of gideon also in some places gideon is called jerubbaal. First, god allowed abimelech to destroy shechem to judge them for killing the sons of gideon judges 9. A study of joshua, judges, ruth, and i samuel 18 materials are ed but can be used for free. Abimelech, gideons son, tries to become king of shechem, but fails.

What should be noted is that it was god who raised up the judges. Then abimelech the son of jerubbaal went to shechem, to his mothers brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mothers father, saying, please speak in the hearing of all the men of shechem. He gets into local politics, starts a grassroots campaign for the monarchy, leads a killsquad to his. During the period of the judges, abimelech became the ruler of shechem through the support of his mothers family and the local oligarchy the lords of shechem. This is something that did not happen under abimelech. The quasiillegitimate son of gideon, he decides he wants to be king. Then abimelech stayed in arumah, and zebul drove gaal and his clan out of shechem. In other words, the one person who was actually unharmed by abimelech is the only one the book notices. Abimelech s reign is short but eventful as he leads his armies to war against uncooperative neighboring cities 9. In the book of judges in the hebrew bible, abimelech was a son of the great judge gideon.

Pastor bob leroe, cliftondale congregational church, saugus, massachusetts. Abimelech ruled for three years from 1151bc1149bc, he started his rule by killing the 70 sons of. The placing of his story in the book of judges is apparently. Abimelech went to his fathers house at ophrah and murdered his brothers. Nov 30, 20 abimelech judges 9 is never described in scripture as being one of the judges of ancient israel. Abimelech chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled.

Jul 06, 2019 there are a couple of people named abimelech in the scriptures, but in the book of judges, he was one of the sons of judge gideon born to his concubine at shechem. Background today we are going to study the book of judges, but i think it always helps to understand the context of a book before you study it, so first i want to show how judges fits into the history of the nation of israel. However, nowhere in the book is his suicide seen as divine retribution. On the one hand, it is an account of frequent apostasy, provoking divine chastening. Commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Abimelech went to his uncles who lived in the city of shechem. Hence, jothams curse upon abimelech was very real, and we soon learn from the rest of the story that god took it seriously. Antijudge abimelech sermon by robert leroe, judges 9. He sought to rule over shechem by killing all other sons of gideon, who were all slain except for gideons youngest son, jotham. Book of judges overview insight for living ministries. Though gideon had rejected kingship officially judges 8. This word is unique to the book and is perhaps chosen to distinguish abimelechs illfated rule from that of the true judges. And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone on abimelechs head, and all to broke his skull.

Politics is often a quest for power, and power can corrupt. The following pdf files are downloadable with adobe acrobat reader. He also hated his halfbrothers, presumably because he was the son of a concubine rather than the son of one of gideons wives judges 8. The book of judges acts as the sequel to the book of joshua, linked by comparable accounts of joshuas death joshua 24. The story of samson is found in the book of judges, chapters 16.

Aug 09, 2014 a summary and brief commentary on important aspects of these stories from the book of judges, by dr. Judges 9 esv abimelechs conspiracy now bible gateway. Abimelech, a name claiming the inherited right to rule, was also a common name of the philistine kings. We all know of individuals whove been seduced by power and do whatever it takes to get to the top. His name can best be interpreted as my father is king, claiming the inherited right to rule.

Weve been examining some of the biographies of a number of the bible characters that appear in the book of judges. He was one of the major biblical characters in the old testanment. The bible does not count abimelech among the judges. Judges 9 easytoread version erv abimelech becomes king. Again, a woman proved to be the deliverer of her people, this time from an israelite tyrant out of control. Abimelech then became the king of shechem, ruling for three years before a conspiracy arose against him.

Seeking power and authority is a common ambition within the hearts of people, an ambition that is present within every group or body of people. The writer of the book of judges ascribed his death and the fate of the shechemites to god, who punished them for their wickedness judges 9. Posb insurrection, rebellion, revolt, war, assassination, terrorism, or convincing arguments. There are a couple of people named abimelech in the scriptures, but in the book of judges, he was one of the sons of judge gideon born to his concubine at.