Abimelech Judges 9W. Cochran

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

The Death of GideonJudges 8:29-35

Jerubbaal : Baal never contended with Gideon

Gideon has 70 sons via many wives

Bible provides no commentary

seems to imply he was blessed

certainly not the pattern of Gen 3:24 affirmed by Jesus in Matt 19:3-6.

Abimelech: son via Concubine (servant) in Shechem

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

ShechemCanaanite / Israelite city of Tribe of Manasseh

LORD appeared to Abram there and promised that his offspring would inherit the land (Gen 12:6,7)

Site of Jacob’s Well (Gen 33; John 4)

Site of Covenant Renewal; Joseph’s Tomb (Josh 24)

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Baal-berith“covenant with Baal”

As soon as Gideon dies, Israel begins worshipping Baal-berith (Judges 3:33-35)

Rabbinical literature equates with Baal-zebub (Philistine god in Ekron; Prince of Demons, Satan in Matt 12)

Forgot God who had delivered them

Did not honor Gideon’s family

Temple of Baal-berith

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Conspiracy & MurderJudges 9:2-6

Gideon refused to establish a dynasty over Israel (8:22-23)

Abimelech campaigns (Hivites?) to rule (9:1-3)

Selfish Ambition: Scripture and history replete with rulers motivated by a lust for power.

Satan Isaiah 14:12-22

Matt 23:12 Self exaltation leads to humiliation.

Abimelech and his worthless men slaughter his 70 brothers

funded out of the house of Baal-berith

Abimelech is made king

Famous oaks at Shechem: Gen 12:6, 35:4; Josh 24:26

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Fratricide: Cain, Solomon kills Adinojah, Absolom kills Amnon, Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:4)Most commandments (idolotry, murder, lie, covet) broken by Abimelech.Gangs of “worthless fellows” (Jephthah 11:3; David 1 Sam 22:2)Selfish Ambition: Abasalom, Nebechudenezzer, Herod the Great; Julius Caeser, Commodus, Alexander;Selfless: Washington, Lincoln; Moses, Joshua, Samuel

Jotham’s ConfrontationJudges 9:7-12

Jotham survives (9:5)

Jotham cries out parable from Mt Garizim

olive tree, fig tree, vine: (Gideon and his sons) highly valued for oil, sweet fruit, and wine.

bramble: (Abimelech) useless nuisance, fuel for fire

Fire to come from leaders and devour Abimelech.

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Deut 11: Blessing on Mt Gerizim, Curses on Mt Ebal

Leaders turn against AbimelechJudges 9:11-25

Abimelech’s dominion extended over (a portion of) Israel for 3 years.

God sends an evil spirit

1 Kings 22:19-23 and the book of Job give us a glimpse of how this happens

Leaders become treacherous

Robbed caravans along city’s trade routes

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Should the treacherous be surprised when they are betrayed?Leaders of Shechem seem very fickle.

The boasting of GaalJudges 9:26-29

The opportunist Gaal gains the confidence of the leaders of Shechem.

Gaal openly criticizes Abimelech at a “harvest festival” (i.e., drinking party to their god)

The converse of Abimelech’s argument is used against him: his father is an Israelite.

Gaal boldly states that he would remove Abimelech

Abimelech is living in Arumah (9:41)

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Gaal is probably emboldened by alcohol -- “running his mouth off” as Zebul will state later.

Abimelech destroys Shechem Judges 9:30-49

Zebul sends message to Abimelech

Abimelech’s men set up an early morning ambush.

Zebul, working from the inside, misdirect’s Gaal and then taunts him to go fight

Zebul drives out Gaal (9:41)

Leaders enter stronghold

Abimelech, using bramble for fire, burns those in the Tower of Shechem.

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

Zebel’s taunt: “where is your mouth now?” Gaal might not be as brave as when he was drunk.

Death of AbimelechJudges 9:50-57

Thebez, which had joined in the rebellion, is captured by Abimelech.

As Abimelech goes to burn that city’s tower, a woman throws a millstone on his head

God returns “evil on the heads” of both the leaders of Shechem and Abimelech (9:56, 57)

Sunday, Oct 23, 2011

God lets evil consume itself: almost a comical ring of treachery.