When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
Abimelech was the son of Gideon's maid, and he made himself ruler by having Gideon's sons, his own brothers, slain. His rule over Israel was wicked, demoralizing, heartless, tyrannical and cruel, gained by treachery, sustained by worthless followers, and marked by putting to death everyone who opposed his will. That reign lasted three years.
The verse belongs to the record of Israel's backsliding and its consequences of suffering and oppression, followed by return to God, forgiveness and deliverance. God permitted Abimelech's cruel rule so that he would execute divine vengeance upon Israel. At this three-year point, Jotham's parable of the trees exposed the folly of Shechem's choice of such a ruler.
When the three years ended, the Lord sent trouble and retribution in fulfillment of Jotham's words, producing discord, strife and hatred between Abimelech and the Shechemites who had made him king until they grew disgusted with his rule and by treachery sought to remove him. This led to Shechem's rebellion and utter destruction and to Abimelech's own death, proving that God's justice punishes both the tyrant and those who sustained him. The parable teaches that those doing the most valuable work for the Lord have no desire to rule over fellow believers, and that ambition to be exalted over others shows a person is unfit to rule.
The verse teaches that sin will never go unpunished and warns of the danger of disobedience, while true greatness of character and peace and joy of soul come only from entire conformity to God's will in cheerful obedience as the path of safety and happiness with strength from God for victory. The verse was assigned as part of the reading for Wednesday, April 8, together with Judges 10 and Psalm 101.
Abimelech was the son of Gideon's maid, and he made himself ruler by having Gideon's sons, his own brothers, slain. His rule over Israel was wicked, demoralizing, heartless, tyrannical and cruel, gained by treachery, sustained by worthless followers, and marked by putting to death everyone who opposed his will. That reign lasted three years.
The verse belongs to the record of Israel's backsliding and its consequences of suffering and oppression, followed by return to God, forgiveness and deliverance. God permitted Abimelech's cruel rule so that he would execute divine vengeance upon Israel. At this three-year point, Jotham's parable of the trees exposed the folly of Shechem's choice of such a ruler.
When the three years ended, the Lord sent trouble and retribution in fulfillment of Jotham's words, producing discord, strife and hatred between Abimelech and the Shechemites who had made him king until they grew disgusted with his rule and by treachery sought to remove him. This led to Shechem's rebellion and utter destruction and to Abimelech's own death, proving that God's justice punishes both the tyrant and those who sustained him. The parable teaches that those doing the most valuable work for the Lord have no desire to rule over fellow believers, and that ambition to be exalted over others shows a person is unfit to rule.
The verse teaches that sin will never go unpunished and warns of the danger of disobedience, while true greatness of character and peace and joy of soul come only from entire conformity to God's will in cheerful obedience as the path of safety and happiness with strength from God for victory. The verse was assigned as part of the reading for Wednesday, April 8, together with Judges 10 and Psalm 101.