Explanation: In Judges 9, Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) by his concubine, went to Shechem, where his mother's kin lived, and offered, as a close kin, to rule over them instead of Gideon's seventy sons (1-2).
     His relatives made this offer to the men of Shechem who accepted it. And they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the house of the god Baalberith with which Abimelech hired "vain and light persons" who went with him to the house of his father Gideon in Ophrah. There they slew all but one of Gideon's seventy sons (Abimelech's half-brothers). And the men of Shechem made Abimelech king in Shechem (3-6).
     This kingship was local in the sense that only one town (Shechem) and towns within its sphere of influence made Abimelech king. However, it appears from verse 22 that Abimelech held power or dominion (Hebrew, "sur") over Israel through this usurpation of the family of Gideon to whom Israel had looked for guidance and leadership. Thus, Abimelech could be considered Israel's first king, though not by common consent of all the tribes -- but merely by holding a position of dominance over them.
     Jotham, who had escaped the massacre, stood on the top of mount Gerizim and delivered the Allegory of the Bramble to the men of Shechem. The allegory tells how the trees sought a king to rule over them. The olive tree refused because it would have to forsake its sweetness and good fruit. The vine refused because it would have to forsake its wine which cheers God and man. Finally, they asked the bramble. And the bramble told them to put their trust in its shadow; but if not, let fire come out and devour the cedars of Lebanon (7-15).
     And Jotham told the men of Shechem that if they had dealt well with Jerubbaal (Gideon) and his house, who fought for them and delivered them, then may they rejoice in Abimelech and he in them. But, if they dealt falsely, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the hose of Millo; and may fire come out from Shechem and the house of Millo and devour Abimelech. And, having said these things, Jotham fled (16-21).
     After three years Abimelech and the men of Shechem had a falling out; and the Shechemites robbed all who came near them (22-25).
     Gaal then challenged Abimelech for his throne (26-29).
     Zebul informed Abimelech that Gaal and the Shechemites had fortified the city against him (30-33).
     So Abimelech arose up by night and lay in wait against Shechem. Gaal saw them coming down the mountains, but, to confuse him, Zebul told him he was seeing shadows on the mountain. But Gaal saw two other groups coming. So Zebul dropped the pretence and reproached Gaal for being dismissive of Abimelech and challenged him to go fight with him. Gaal and the men of Shechem went out to fight; but Abimelech chased them back to the city. Abimelech then went to Arumah; and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren from Shechem (34-41).
     The next day, Abimelech attacked the people of Shechem who were in the field (perhaps gathering crops) and killed them, beat down the city, and sowed it with salt (42-45).
     The rest of the men of Shechem entered a stronghold which Abimelech burned down, killing about a thousand men and women (46-49).
     Abimelech then went to Thebez and took it. But some went into a stronghold which Abimelech attempted to burn as he had at Shechem. However, a woman cast a piece of a millstone on Abimelech's head, breaking his skull. While he was still alive he had one of his soldiers kill him so that he could avoid the embarrassment of being killed by a woman. Abimelech's troops scattered; and by these means God punished the wickedness of Abimelech which he did to his father and his seventy brethren. And likewise, the men of Shechem were punished in accord with the curse of Jotham (50-57).
     [ Sermons: Brian Borgman. William Still. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: Today's chapter describes a second slaughter which came upon the household of Gideon, the first (an act of war) being described in the previous chapter. As in the painting above, this second slaughter was for political gain -- Abimelech did it to become king. ]

     ⁵⁰ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. ⁵¹ But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. ⁵² And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. ⁵³ And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. ⁵⁴ Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. ⁵⁵ And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. ⁵⁶ Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: ⁵⁷ And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

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