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Judges 9:50-57 – Abimelech Killed

The LORD has brought about the destruction of Shechem, as Jotham predicted in his curse (Judges 8:20). Now He has only to bring about Abimelech’s downfall. We might ask, if Abimelech has destroyed Shechem, how can Shechem now be the instrument of Abimelech’s destruction as the curse of Jotham stated? The answer is found in the town of Thebez.

Thebez is a town about ten miles northeast of Shechem. The conflict begun between Abimelech and Shechem continues as he attacks Thebez. (It is reasonable to speculate that some of Abimelech’s enemies, such as the relatives of Gaal, who were driven out of Shechem might have fled to Thebez). Abimelech captures the city, but the people take refuge in the tower in the middle of the town. As he approaches the door of the tower, in order to burn it, a woman throws a millstone which crushes Abimelech’s head. As he lays dying, he instructs his armor bearer to kill him with the sword, lest it be said a woman slew Abimelech. With Abimelech dead, his army falls apart.

Verse 56 tells us, “Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers.” For their part in this foul deed, the leaders of Shechem and their city have been destroyed. Now, for his wicked treatment of his brothers, Abimelech is killed. Literally, his violence has descended on his own skull (Psalm 7:16). This is a picture, for us, of God’s judgment to come. The LORD will not let sin go unpunished. Either we are in Christ, and thus, He has received the punishment due to our sins, or we will suffer the punishment ourselves. As Revelation 20:15 tells us, anyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Questions

  1. How did God return Abimelech’s evil upon him?
  2. What does this tell us about God’s justice? Will He allow sin to go unpunished?

Prayer Points

  1. Thank God that He has sent Jesus to bear the punishment for sin in the place of all who trust in Him.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.