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Themes in Judges 9

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Themes in Judges 9

Judges 9:1 (show verse)

And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives, and spoke to them and to the whole clan of the household of his mother’s father, saying,

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Judges of israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Plotting » General examples of
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers

“Speak, now, in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am your bone and your flesh.”

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Judge » Abimelech
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers

Judges 9:3 (show verse)

And his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem; and they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our relative.”

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Judge » Abimelech
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers

Judges 9:4 (show verse)

They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him.

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Baal-berith » Shechemites » God
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Idolatry » Idols, &c mentioned in scripture » Baal-berith
Judge » Abimelech
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers

Judges 9:5 (show verse)

Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Fratricide » Instances of » Abimelech
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Fratricide
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Murder » Examples of
Ophrah » A city » Tribe of manasseh » Home of » gideon
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers

Judges 9:6 (show verse)

All the men of Shechem and all Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar which was in Shechem.

Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Judge » Abimelech
extraordinary Judges » Names of » Abimelech
Millo » The house of millo, possibly a clan at shechem
Pillar » By joshua, at shechem

Judges 9:7 (show verse)

Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and called out. Thus he said to them, “Listen to me, O men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Gerizim » Jotham addresses the shechemites from, against the conspiracy of abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Mountains » Names of » Gerizim, in samaria
Mountains » Mentioned in scripture » Gerizim
Parables » Of the old testament » Of jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Truth » Illustrated in parables of the old testament » Of jotham

Judges 9:8 (show verse)

Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
sacred Anointing » Persons who received » Kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive » Fable of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:9 (show verse)

But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my fatness with which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive Trees » Described as » Fat and unctuous
Olive Trees » Good for the service of God and man
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Olive

Judges 9:10 (show verse)

Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come, reign over us!’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Fig

Judges 9:11 (show verse)

But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Fig tree » In an allegory
Fig tree » Produces a rich sweet fruit
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:12 (show verse)

Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come, reign over us!’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Grape » Figurative » Fable of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Vine » Fable of

Judges 9:13 (show verse)

But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, and go to wave over the trees?’

Judges 9:14 (show verse)

Finally all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come, reign over us!’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:15 (show verse)

The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Cedars » Lebanon celebrated for
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Lebanon » Cedars of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:16 (show verse)

“Now therefore, if you have dealt in truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved—

Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:17 (show verse)

for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian;

Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Leaders » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Religious » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:18 (show verse)

but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative—

Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Ingratitude » To man, instances of
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham

Judges 9:19 (show verse)

if then you have dealt in truth and integrity with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.

Judges 9:20 (show verse)

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.”

Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Millo » The house of millo, possibly a clan at shechem
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham

Judges 9:21 (show verse)

Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and remained there because of Abimelech his brother.

Beer » A town in the territory of the tribe of judah
Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham

Judges 9:22 (show verse)

Now Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.

Citizens » Instances of wicked » Shechemites
Judge » Abimelech
Treason » Instances of » Of the shechemites against abimelech

Judges 9:23 (show verse)

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Demons » Sent to foment trouble between abimelech and the shechemites
Judge » Abimelech
Treachery » Of shechemites
Treason » Instances of » Of the shechemites against abimelech

Judges 9:24 (show verse)

so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Murder » Exemplified » Men of shechem
Retribution » Examples of
Treason » Instances of » Of the shechemites against abimelech

Judges 9:25 (show verse)

The men of Shechem set men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who might pass by them along the road; and it was told to Abimelech.

Ambush » Instances of » At shechem
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Robbery » Instances of
Treason » Instances of » Of the shechemites against abimelech

Judges 9:26 (show verse)

Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his relatives, and crossed over into Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Trust » Of the wicked » Is in man

Judges 9:27 (show verse)

They went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trod them, and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Vintage
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Grape » Grown » At shechem
Harvest » Celebrated with joy
Judge » Abimelech
Revelry » Revelry at social functions
Social functions » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Social life » Wedding feasts » Revelry at

Judges 9:28 (show verse)

Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is Zebul not his lieutenant? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him?

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Hamor » Jacob buys a piece of property from
Judge » Abimelech
Shechem » Son of hamor; seduces jacob's daughter; killed by jacob's sons
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:29 (show verse)

Would, therefore, that this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech.” And he said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out.”

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:30 (show verse)

When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:31 (show verse)

He sent messengers to Abimelech deceitfully, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are stirring up the city against you.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Fortresses » Places used as » Cities
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:32 (show verse)

Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:33 (show verse)

In the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to them whatever you can.”

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:34 (show verse)

So Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.

Ambush » Instances of » At shechem
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Those engaged in » Frequently laid ambushes
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:35 (show verse)

Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate; and Abimelech and the people who were with him arose from the ambush.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:36 (show verse)

When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.”

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:37 (show verse)

Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the diviners’ oak.”

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Meonenim » A place in ephraim
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:38 (show verse)

Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your boasting now with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!”

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:39 (show verse)

So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:40 (show verse)

Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate.

Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:41 (show verse)

Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

Arumah » A place near shechem
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Zebul » An officer of abimelech

Judges 9:42 (show verse)

Now it came about the next day, that the people went out to the field, and it was told to Abimelech.

Judge » Abimelech

Judges 9:43 (show verse)

So he took his people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and slew them.

Armies » March in ranks » Move, in attack, in three divisions
Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Cities invested by » Frequently taken by ambush

Judges 9:44 (show verse)

Then Abimelech and the company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then dashed against all who were in the field and slew them.

Cities » Were frequently » Stormed
Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Cities invested by » Frequently taken by ambush

Judges 9:45 (show verse)

Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it; then he razed the city and sowed it with salt.

Cities » Were frequently » Razed and sown with salt
Judge » Abimelech
Salt » Places sown with, to denote perpetual desolation
Shechem » Also called sychar, a city of refuge in mount ephraim » Destroyed by abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Sometimes sown with salt
Sieges » Frequently broken down

Judges 9:46 (show verse)

When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

Baal-berith » Called berith
Idolatry » Idols, &c mentioned in scripture » Baal-berith
Judge » Abimelech
Tower » Of shechem
Towers » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem

Judges 9:47 (show verse)

It was told Abimelech that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

Judge » Abimelech

Judges 9:48 (show verse)

So 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 branch from the trees, and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do likewise.”

Judge » Abimelech
Zalmon » Also called salmon, probably » A hill in samaria

Judges 9:49 (show verse)

All the people also cut down each one his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

Cruelty » Examples of
Judge » Abimelech
Tower » Of shechem
Towers » Frequently thrown down in war

Judges 9:50 (show verse)

Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it.

Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Thebez
Thebez » A city » A city, at which abimelech was killed while besieging
Towers » Mentioned in scripture » Thebez

Judges 9:51 (show verse)

But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower.

Cities » Often had citadels
Judge » Abimelech
Thebez » A city » A city, at which abimelech was killed while besieging
Towers » Frequently strong and well fortified
Towers » Were used as citadels in times of war
Towers » Mentioned in scripture » Thebez
Towers » Were built » In cities

Judges 9:52 (show verse)

So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire.

Judge » Abimelech
Judgments » Upon abimelech
Thebez » A city » A city, at which abimelech was killed while besieging

Judges 9:53 (show verse)

But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.

Judge » Abimelech
Judgments » Upon abimelech
Mills » Stones used in » Often thrown down on enemies during sieges
Millstone » Abimelech killed by one being of hurled upon him
Thebez » A city » A city, at which abimelech was killed while besieging
Women » Help in defensive operations