Chapter Summary

Conspiracy of Abimelech.

Discussion Questions for Judges, Chapter 9

1. Now that Jerubbaal (Gideon) has died (see Judges 8:32) and his son Abimelech wants to rule over his hometown of Shechem, why does he get his family members to speak on his behalf (see verses 1-2)? Why would this be to his advantage rather than him speaking on his own behalf?
2. According to verses 2-3, what is the basis for Abimelech's appeal to the people of Shechem? Why are people more likely to follow a leader to whom they feel a connection?
3. We learn in verse 4 that the people of Shechem give money to Abimelech "from the temple of Baal-berith" (CSB). What does this temple say about the people spiritually?
4. Why do you believe Abimelech ordered his father's other sons to be killed in verses 4-5? How might they have been a threat to Abimelech's desire for power?
5. Jotham, the youngest of Jerubbaal's sons, survived and proclaimed a parable to the citizens of Shechem in verses 7-15. Why is the request of the trees to be ruled by the bramble (see verse 14) ridiculous? What does verse 15 say about Jotham's view of Abimelech?
6. In verses 16-20, Jotham recounts Jerubbaal's support of the people of Shechem and their betrayal of Jerubbaal's family. What does he wish to happen if they acted in bad faith? Do you believe he is justified in wishing this?
7. What do you believe verse 23 means when it says that "God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem"?
8. In verses 22-29, when the citizens of Shechem became displeased with Abimelech, they engaged in sabotage and rallied around Gaal. This causes Zebul to encourage Abimelech to attack his own people in verses 30-33. How could this strategy work for or against Abimelech?
9. In verses 34-49, Gaal and his followers are defeated, and Abimelech destroyed his hometown of Shechem. In what way was his destruction of Shechem a partial fulfillment of Jotham's proclamation in verse 20?
10. In verses 50-55, Abimelech attacks Thebez, but is mortally wounded by having a millstone dropped on his head. How does the narrator summarize the lesson of the story in verses 56-57? What does this tell us about the nature and actions of God in our lives and in history?

Key Words/Phrase

Vengeance, vv. 24, 56.

Characters

God, Abimelech, Jerubbaal, Jocham, Gaal, Zebul.

Strong Verse(s)

66