God Fulfills His Word Against Abimelech and Shechem- Judges 9:22-57

We will consider Judges 9:22-57 and discuss these verses as we work our way through this text. Let’s begin with 22-25, “Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.”

During these three years, Abimelech was prospering, becoming popular, and increasing in power. It looked as though Abimelech would escape justice for what he had done. It appeared as though God may have forgotten about what had been done to Gideon’s sons. However, in our text God begins to fulfill His Word. We are told in v.23 that ‘God sent an evil spirit between Abimelch and the leaders of Shechem.’

Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that the thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy. Therefore when this evil spirit is sent the fruit of its unseen presence become increasingly noticeable: mistrust (23), treachery (23), violence and robbery (25), misplaced confidence (26), drunkenness (27), rivalry (27), sinful speech (28), insubordination (29), self-exaltation (29), warmongering (29), anger (30), riotous (31), war (34-55). Along with pride, arrogance, and other sins.

In v.25 we read, “And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along the way. And it was told to Abimelech.” The word ‘ambush’ shows up in every paragraph in v.22-45. Those that do not contain this word tell us about how those who set these ambushes fall into their own trap and are destroyed. These scriptures remind me of Proverbs 1:15-19 where a father warns his son not to join with those who lie in ambush to harm others. In doing so, they lie in wait for the destruction of their own lives!

At this time, Shechem was an important city because it was located at the center of trade routes that enabled people to travel with goods in every direction: north, south, east, and west. The leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against Abimelech on the mountaintops. From there, they could see everyone who traveled upon these trade routes. They were supposed to ‘ambush’ Abimelech, but these men began to rob (by force and compulsion) everyone who traveled on these roads. (Prov. 1:19)

We are told in v.25 that Abimelech was informed of these things, but we are not told that he reacted against what was happening. These things remind me of Deborah’s song in Judges 5, where we read, “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned and travelers kept to the byways.” (6)

The absence of Abimelech created a political power vacuum that opened up an opportunity for someone to try to step in. That is what happens in Judges 9:26-29, “And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put confidence in him. And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’”

The man who tried to take advantage of this situation was a man named ‘Gaal the son of Ebed’. This man had no sooner moved to Shechem when the leaders of Shechem put their ‘confidence in him’. (26) ‘Gaal the son of Ebed’ is mentioned five times in the next 9 verses. Why is this mentioned so much? Perhaps Gaal wanted to let the people of Shechem know that, unlike Abimelech who was the son of Gideon an Israelite, he was a direct descendant of Hamor. (29)

Another reason for this is because both of these names, Gaal and Ebed, have significant meanings. Gaal’s name means ‘loathing’ which is a fitting description of this man. Gaal had an intense dislike, disgust, and hatred for certain people. He especially for Abimelech. As a result, when he got drunk he reviled Abimelech and those associated with him: Zebul, Jerubbaal, Israel, etc. (27-28)

Ebed, Gaal’s father’s name, means ‘servant’ or ‘slave’. This name was an expression of ‘contempt’. You can hear Gaal’s contempt for being Abimelech’s servant when he says, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer?” (28) Gaal has no desire to be a slave. He wants to rule, “Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech…”. (29)

Buck White has said that we should be careful about what we say in private because a bird may hear it and spread it around. Well, imagine what will happen when Gaal says these things publically for people to hear. Judges 9:30-33 describes how one man reacted when he heard these things, “When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them as your hand finds to do.”

Zebul heard these words and became angry. Perhaps this anger stemmed from two things. First, Zebul owed Abimelech a lot because of the position he had been entrusted with. Secondly, perhaps this anger proceeded from fear. Gaal’s words threatened his safety as well, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer?” (28) We have said previously that faithlessness people fall into two ditches: fear and anger. This is happening to Zebul.

Zebul cannot act on his own, so he sends a message to Abimelech and informs him about what is happening in Shechem. He asks Abimelech to act quickly and this is what he does. We read these words in vs. 34-45, “So Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men.” Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.” Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.” And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.”

We’ve mentioned how Abimelech seems to succeed at everything he does.

• Abimelech’s initial talk with his family about his plan went well. (9:1-2)

• His families talk with the leaders of Shechem was very successful. (9:3)

• The leaders of Shechem bought into Abimelech’s plan and agreed he should be king. (9:4)

• The leaders of Shechem invested significant money into Abimelech’s plans. (9:4)

• With this money Abimelech was able to hire wicked people to carry out this plan. (9:4)

• After carrying out this plan the people of Shechem made Abimelech king. (9:6)

• After being made king Israel accepted his rule. (22)

Because of all this success Zebul should feel pretty confident about looking to Abimelech for help. As these things begin to unfold we see that Abimelech will continue to experience success. Abimelech acts fast and this allows him to catch his enemies unprepared. (26-29) Abimelch has gathered a loyal band of soldiers around him who are willing to fight for him. He divides them into four companies. (34) {Four groups of 250 soldiers. (34)}

Gaal is standing at the gate as these things unfold, but he does not act quickly and decisively. We have seen before that when God begins to judge faithless people, they tend to act slowly. (Judges 3:26) Gaal sees these soldiers coming down from the hills, but Zebul makes him question what he sees with his own eyes. Isn’t this what Satan does to unbelievers even today?

• Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

• In Luke 8:12 Jesus says, “The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”

When Gaal does go out to meet Abimelech he is defeated. (39-40) We read what happens next in 9:42-45, “On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told. He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and killed them. Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and killed them. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.”

Abimelech continues to have more victories. After he defeated Gaal, Abimelech sees the people going out into the fields the next day because they believe that the danger has passed. Abimilech divides his men into three groups and he ambushes the men of Shechem in the field. Then he fought against the town throughout the day and he killed the people, razed the city, and sowed it with salt. Just as Jotham had said, fire has come out from Abimelech and consumed the people of Shechem.

There is one more thing that must happen before the prophesy is completely fulfilled. We read in 9:46-49, “When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-berith. Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. And Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, ‘What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.”’So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women.”

The people run into the ‘stronghold of the house of El-berith’ for safety. This is the temple of the god that Israel had made their god after the LORD had delivered them from the Midianites. (8:33-34) We have seen in this passage that when Abimelech attacks them the people hide behind Gaal, behind the walls of the city, and now they hide in the strong tower of El-berith. None of these things will prove to be helpful. All of these shelters in which the people take refuge will be destroyed.

One of the amazing things that the LORD uses an evil spirit to destroy this stronghold of the false god El-berith! In his book ‘Providence’ John Piper says, “While God has his reasons for why He permits Satan to exist and to pursue his evil path, he never has given, and never will give, to Satan any freedom that God Himself does not restrain and decisively direct for His wise, just, and good purposes.” In this case, one of the actions that God is directing this evil spirit to do is to destroy one of Satan’s own strongholds among the people of Israel. How glorious is the LORD when we see Him use Satan to destroy the works of Satan!

Finally, we read in v. 50-57, “Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.”

All this success has made Abimelech prideful and arrogant. Therefore, Abimelech continues his rampage against another city. We are not told why Abimelech attacks the city of Thebez, but when he does, he experiences success and captures the city. The people run into their strong tower for refuge.

Abimelech would attempt to do the same thing that he had done in Shechem. Abimelech ran up to place wood by the doors so he could burn this tower as he had done in Shechem. There was a woman who had taken a small millstone into the tower and she threw it down from the top of the tower and struck Abimelech in the head. This millstone inflicted a mortal blow to the head of Abimelech and he knew that he would not survive.

In this moment, Abimelech did not seem to fear death. His greatest fear was not that he would soon face God’s judgment. No, his fear was that he would be known as someone who would die at the hands of a woman. Therefore, he commanded that his armor bearer strike him through to kill him. When this was done we are told that the men of Israel departed and returned to their homes. (55)

Communion/Christmas: The LORD used this unnamed woman to throw this stone from the top of the tower and God directed it to deliver a mortal blow to Abimelech just as He had promised. Similarly, in Genesis 3:15 God had made a promise that He would put enmity between the serpent and the woman because through a woman a child would be born who would crush the serpent's head. It took four thousand years for the fullness of time to come when God would fulfill that promise. Jesus came down from heaven to die for sinners according to the eternal plan of God. The serpent thought that he had defeated the LORD when this happened, but the opposite happened. The devil bruised the heel of Christ but Satan received a death blow. Like Abimelech, Satan has received a mortal blow and he has just a little time left. God has promised that in the future Satan will be finished off and thrown into the lake of fire once and for all. In the meantime, God’s people are sent out on a mission (Mt. 28:19-20) with a promise that Christ is with us until the end of this age. We celebrate all of this when we consider Christmas and as we celebrate communion together this morning. Amen.