JUDGES 10

AFTER WORSHIPING FALSE IDOLS, THE ISRAELITES TURN TO GOD

Gideon’s son, Abimelech, shares similar ambitions with his father and desires to become king over Israel. In order to become king, Abimelech kills his brothers, giving him the throne. Abimelech is unable to kill his youngest brother, Jotham, who hid from him.

Jotham travels to Mount Gerizim, a place known for announcing blessings and curses. Jotham shares a parable warning of Abimelech’s destructive leadership. After warning the Israelites, Jotham flees, hoping to protect himself.

Eventually, Jotham’s parable of prophecy is fulfilled, and God creates great division between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, a nearby city. The Israelites start to look for a replacement for Abimelech and consider a man named Gaal, but he flees in fear from Abimelech.

The people of Shechem try to ambush Abimelech, but he kills them and destroys the city. Abimelech kills the very people who elevated him to his position. Abimelech has to leave the city since he destroyed everything, so he goes to Thebez. As he approaches a tower, a woman drops a millstone on his head, fatally wounding him. Wanting to avoid being killed by a woman, Abimelech asks his armor-bearer to kill him.

Judges 10:14 - Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.