Judges 9

26–33 A man named Gaal took advantage of the situation and further incited the Shechemites to revolt against Abimelech. But Abimelech had appointed a governor over Shechem, Zebul, who exercised authority in Abimelech’s absence. This governor immediately notified Abimelech of the impending revolt (verses 30–31). He advised Abimelech to launch a surprise attack against the Shechemites (verses 32–33).

34–41 Abimelech took Zebul’s advice. He sent his troops at night to take positions around the city; then early in the morning they advanced upon the city. Verses 35–38 record an amusing conversation between Zebul and Gaal, in which Zebul tries to convince Gaal that the men he sees advancing on the city are only shadows; this was just a delaying tactic designed to keep Gaal from mobilizing his defenses until after it was too late. Abimelech’s men overpowered the Shechemites, wounded many of them, and drove the rest back into the city (verses 40–41).

42–45 The next day Abimelech’s men ambushed the Shechemites in their fields as they went out to work. They blocked the city gates so that the Shechemites could not get back inside to safety. Later that same day Abimelech captured the city and killed its people (verse 45). Then, he scattered salt over it to ensure that it would remain forever barren and desolate.

46–49 Many ancient cities had a stronghold (or tower) connected with the city’s temple; Shechem had such a stronghold, and about a thousand of Shechem’s residents had taken refuge in it. So Abimelech set the stronghold on fire, thus fulfilling Jotham’s curse: . . . let fire come out from Abimelech and consume [the] citizens of Shechem (verse 20).

50–55 Abimelech then attacked a nearby city, Thebez, which had likely taken part in Shechem’s revolt. He captured it, except for its strong tower, into which all the inhabitants had fled for refuge. As Abimelech reached the entrance to the tower, a woman dropped a millstone on his head (verse 53). Once again, God used an unlikely person and an unlikely weapon to accomplish His purpose (see Judges 4:21). It is God who accomplishes His purposes, not we humans; we are only instruments. Therefore, let no one among us boast (see Judges 7:1–3).

In ancient times it was considered shameful to die at the hands of a woman. Therefore, Abimelech asked his armor-bearer to kill him, so that he would not have to endure that shame (verse 54). Pride stays with humans until they draw their last breath!

56–57 In these two verses, the writer sums up the meaning of the whole chapter: God repaid the wickedness of both Abimelech and the Shechemites. God’s justice will always prevail—if not in this life, surely in the next. “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19). The Lord was Israel’s King, not Abimelech. The saying is true: “Though wickedness may prosper a while, it will not prosper always.”