14: God restores the nation in His way (Judges 9:22 – 57)

There seemed to be no hope for Israel once Abimelech, a man like a thornbush, became king. Yet, see how the Lord, in His own ways, restores societal order and upholds justice.

Read Judges 9:22 - 57

Q1. What was God’s way to make things right? (23)

God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Shechem’s people and Abimelech.

“to stir up hostility” God doesn’t instill but stirs up the hostility already innate in our flesh. 

Verse 24 explains why God did this. God’s justice stands for everyone. The violent deaths of the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal were avenged, and Abimelech and the people of Shechem had to pay for what they had done.

Verse 25. In ancient times, ensuring secure travel and merchant routes was one of the king's responsibilities. Thus, the presence of bandits on travel passes was a sign of weakened governance. The leaders of Shechem covertly managed this to ensure Abimelech would lose reputation and support from the people.

Q2. Gaal, son of Ebed—supposedly not an Israelite—instigated the people of Shechem to rebel against Abimelech. What was the rationale in his claims that spurred them to rebel? (28)

He pointed out that Abimelech was a son of Gideon, who was not from Shechem, whereas Shechem traced its origins to Hamor, one of the ancient Canaanites. He highlighted the ethnic differences between them. Abimelech had swayed them by claiming he was their relative through his mother’s side (9:2). Now, Gaal argued that Abimelech was not truly one of them, as shown by his father’s lineage. The same reason they had chosen Abimelech, they abandoned him.

Q3. The Bible hints at how foolish the Shechemites were to follow (         ), a good-for-nothing. He was boastful (v.29), foolish (v.36), and impotent (v.40). (         ) was a puppet of Abimelech. Although Gaal incited the rebellion, he was not killed—only some Shechemites were. The target of the Lord’s punishment was (         ).

The Bible hints at how foolish the Shechemites were to follow (Gaal), a good-for-nothing. He was boastful (v.29), foolish (v.36), and impotent (v.40). (Zebul) was a puppet of Abimelech. Although Gaal incited the rebellion, he was not killed—only some Shechemites were. The target of the Lord’s punishment was (Shechem).

Q4. What did Abimelech do to Shechem and the Tower of Shechem? (44-49)

He destroyed Shechem as Joshua had done to the Canaanite cities. This Abimelech destroyed his own people, not his enemies. An internal disaster had come.

This fulfilled the curse that fire from Abimelech would consume Shechem.

Q5. How was Abimelech killed?

A woman on the tower of Thebez threw a millstone down on him, severely wounding him. He then asked his armor-bearer to kill him.

Being killed by a woman was a shame for warriors in those days (54)

God repaid Abimelech and the people of Shechem for their evil deeds. God punished them in alignment with Jotham's curse, so their deaths could be seen as the victims' revenge as if Jotham himself had executed judgment upon them. 

God’s punishment of Abimelech was due to his murder of his brothers, not simply because he became king—although his self-enthronement could not be accepted.

Abimelech can be interpreted as an embodiment of the sinful desire for kingship that may have lingered within Gideon, though not openly pursued. While Gideon publicly rejected the title of king, naming his son Abimelech (“my father is king”) hints at an underlying, perhaps unacknowledged, ambition for royal status. Gideon’s ruthless deed toward Succot and Peniel is analogous to what Abimelech did to Shechem and the Tower of Shechem. Abimelech’s ruthless pursuit of power could thus be viewed as the fruition of a hidden, unfulfilled desire within Gideon, now manifesting destructively in his son.

This perspective allows us to view Abimelech’s actions as a continuation of Gideon’s story, highlighting how unresolved ambitions or hidden flaws can resurface with greater consequences in those who follow.

The Lord intervened in the situation and set the wrongs right in His way (by stirring up hostility in their hearts and by fulfilling the curse of the victims’ brother) and in His time (It took three years for God’s justice to be fulfilled.).

He continues to do the same in our lives today as well. Do not follow the way of Abimelech and the Shechemites.

Are you secretly indulging in inner sin simply because it is not outwardly visible now? Remember that it may later emerge with greater intensity. Be on guard to keep your heart from sin and impurities and surrender your life to the Holy Spirit with all your heart and soul.

God was the King who restored justice for His people.