Study Desk

Gideon the son of Joash died when he was very old. He was buried in the grave of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Jerubbaal's son Abimelech went to his mother's family at Shechem. He said to them and to all those of the family of his mother's father,

So his mother's family spoke all these words for him in the ears of the leaders of Shechem. And they decided to follow Abimelech. For they said, "He is our brother."

Then he went to his father's house at Ophrah. And he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. He killed all seventy men upon one stone. But Jerubbaal's youngest son Jotham was left alive, because he hid himself.

"Now it may be that you have acted in truth and honor in making Abimelech king. It may be that you have acted well toward Jerubbaal and his house, by paying him for what he did.

For my father fought for you. He put his life in danger to set you free from the power of Midian.

But you have gone against my father's house today. You have killed seventy of his sons on one stone. Abimelech is the son of my father's woman servant. And you have made him king over the people of Shechem, because he is your brother.

If you have acted in truth and honor toward Jerubbaal and his house today, then be happy with Abimelech. And let him be happy with you.

Jotham ran away from them and went to Beer. He stayed there, because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.

Now Gaal the son of Ebed moved with his family into Shechem. And the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

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? Is not Zebul his leader? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve Abimelech?

He sent men to bring news to Abimelech in secret. They said, "See, Gaal the son of Ebed has come to Shechem with his family. They are turning the city against you.

Abimelech stayed at Arumah. But Zebul drove out Gaal and his family so they could not stay in Shechem.

So he took his men and divided them into three groups, and they waited in the field. When he saw Gaal's people coming out of the city, Abimelech went against them and killed them.

So Abimelech and all who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees. Then he lifted it onto his shoulder. He said to the men who were with him, "Hurry and do what you have seen me do."

So each of the men cut down his branch also, and followed Abimelech. They put the branches around the inside room and set it on fire. So all the men of the tower of Shechem died. There were about 1,000 men and women in all.

But a certain woman threw a grain-crushing stone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull.

Abimelech was quick to call the young man who carried his heavy battle-clothes, saying, "Take your sword and kill me. Or else it will be said that a woman killed me." So the young man killed him with a sword.

So God punished Abimelech for the sin he had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.

Gilead's wife gave birth to his sons. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah away. They told him, "You will not have any share in our father's house. For you are the son of another woman."