1. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …

2. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth When The Judges Ruled Israel

3. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  The only “non-judge” leader  Sometimes called “The Bramble King”  From here on out, Israel will no longer enjoy periodic seasons of God-given rest 8:28  Another indication of deteriorating spirituality  This story takes place in Manasseh (Shechem and Thebez)

4. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  His description vv. 1-4  Son by Gideon’s Shechem concubine 8:31  He goes to Shechem to convince them it is better he rule over them than Gideon’s 70 sons…they agreed vv. 2-3  His basis Ù he was their relative

5. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  His description vv. 1-4  To “seal the deal”…the men of Shechem gave Abimelech 70 silver pieces from the house of Baal-berith v. 4  Abimelech used the money to hire worthless (reckless) fellows to form a “gang”

6. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  His actions vv. 5-6  He took his “gang” to Ophrah and killed all Gideon’s 70 sons except one (Jotham)  He did this to remove all political rivals that would threaten his rule  Afterwards, the men of Shechem declared Abimelech king

7. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  His actions vv. 5-6  What he was driven to do was in direct contradiction to his father’s previous actions 8:22-23

8. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21  Hearing about Abimelech’s “coronation,” he ascends Mt. Gerizim and utters a “parable” to illustrate the foolishness of Abimelech being made king vv. 7-15  The trees & vine were “noble”…the bramble was anything but “noble” (useless)

9. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21  He gave his “blessing” on Abimelech’s rule only if he & the men of Shechem had behaved with integrity and truth  He knew they had not…he reminded all of what his father had done re: Midian

10. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Jotham’s actions vv. 7-21  He also reminded them of how ruthlessly they had treated Gideon’s house  He concluded by pronouncing a judgment (curse) upon Abimelech & the Shechemites  Afterwards, he had to flee for safety

11. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech & the Shechemites vv. 22-25  Abimelech ruled for 3 years  God then sent an “evil spirit” between them  The Shechemites dealt treacherously with their “king” v. 25 (to discredit him)  It was a Divine judgment vv. 23-25

12. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech & the Shechemites vv. 22-25  A “pact” formed by ruthless men has no principle  Being a “pack of wolves,” it often implodes because they eventually turn on one another  God used this reality to accomplish His will

13. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29  The son of Ebed…he came to Shechem and did what Abimelech had done  After gaining the trust of Shechem, they all had a drinking feast where they cursed Abimelech in the house of their god

14. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29  He further scorned Abimelech, and exhorted the Shechemites to officially revolt  He suggested they now follow him…if he were ruler, he would remove Abimelech  Lastly, he called Abimelech out to battle

15. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Gaal’s actions vv. 26-29  Two character flaws on display… Ê The men of Shechem show a willingness to follow anybody 1 Cor 15:33 Ë Gaal is like many who proudly boast against someone who is not there to answer 2 Cor 10:8-11

16. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Zebul’s actions vv. 30-33  The “ruler of the city” (mayor, etc.?)  He was obviously still loyal to Abimelech… he informed Abimelech of Gaal’s boasting  He advised Abimelech to attack Shechem at dawn to put down the rebellion

17. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Gaal vv. 34-41  Abimelech agreed…he arrived with his men  When Gaal went out in the morning, the ambush began  Initially, Gaal wasn’t sure of what he saw  Zebul reminded him of his boastful words

18. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Gaal vv. 34-41  Abimelech routed Gaal’s forces…Gaal fled  Zebul drove Gaal and his relatives out from Shechem so they could not return

19. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Shechem vv. 42-49  The next day, Abimelech killed all the field workers  He attacked the city, killed the city dwellers, razed it to the ground, and sowed it with salt  His judgment on Shechem for their rebellion

20. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Shechem vv. 42-49  Abimelech was informed the city leaders had taken refuge in the tower (temple fortress)  He gathered wood…told his men to do same  He burned down the tower…about 1,000 men & women were killed

21. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Thebez vv. 50-55  Apparently, Thebez had also rebelled  He attacked the city and captured it  Like Shechem, it had a tower…the leaders went there for refuge  His plans were to do the same as at Shechem

22. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  Abimelech vs. Thebez vv. 50-55  When approaching the tower to burn it, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head…his skull was crushed  To avoid the shame of being killed by a woman, Abimelech asked his armor bearer to kill him with his sword

23. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth Abimelech’s Ambition Judg 9:1-57  God’s judgment vv. 56-57  God repaid Abimelech’s wickedness re: the murder of Gideon’s 70 sons  God also repaid the wickedness of the men of Shechem for their willingness to follow Abimelech’s treachery  Jotham’s curse was fulfilled

24. In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …