Abimelek

Judges 9-10

            The tale of Gideon begins in cowardice and fear and ends in idolatry and shame. Yesterday we read how Gideon refused to establish a dynasty to rule Israel; that was his best moment. After that, he created an ephod which became an idolatrous snare to the him and the people, and ironically he names his illegitimate son Abimelek, which means, “My father is king.” Clearly, Gideon had some kingly pretensions!

            That comes home to roost in chapter 9, a sordid tale of ambition and shifting loyalties. Abimelek, who is illegitimate, opposes the 70 legitimate sons of Gideon for the right to rule Shechem. The people agree and there is a mass execution of those other sons. Only Jotham escapes. His role in the story is to tell a fable and to pronounce a curse on the Abimelek and the people of Shechem. The point of the fable is that a thornbush cannot provide shade for the rest of the trees and in the same way an illegitimate son like Abimelek cannot provide true, kingly protection for the people of Shechem. He really is just a thug. Eventually the Shechemites see this and follow another scoundrel, Gaal. Revolt ensues, Abimelek kills the people of Shechem, and he, in turn, is killed ignobly in an assault on Thebez. The curse of Jotham is fulfilled.

            As the story of Judges progresses, this is a phenomenon we will see several times. The further the people slip from the Lord, the worse their choices will be. Had Gideon stuck by his original statement, that the Lord would rule Israel (8:23); had he taught his sons that; had Israel remembered it, things may have gone differently. But they pursued the idolatrous ways of the world, and disaster followed.