Judges 9:23, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the unstable and mixed time in the history of Israel covered by the book of Judges and to the low condition into which Israel had fallen. Abimelech was the son of Gideon's maid, and his career shows how the family of Gideon degenerated after the victory God wrought through Gideon with few against many, because they trusted in things that are seen instead of unseen power. To become ruler he caused the sons of Gideon, his brothers, to be slain, hired worthless followers, and was united with the men of Shechem in an evil course when they made him king, which was folly on their part. Shechem, which Abimelech utterly destroyed, was a very ancient place that was the stopping-point of Jacob when he returned from Padan-aram to Canaan.

The verse belongs to the account of Jotham's parable, which teaches that those doing the most valuable work in the Lord's cause do not seek rule over their brethren, and that ambition to be exalted over others shows lack of qualification for leadership. After three years of Abimelech's wicked, demoralizing rule and heartless tyranny, God sent an evil spirit in the form of trouble, discord, strife, and hatred between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, presenting their conflict under God's judgment. The men of Shechem then dealt treacherously with Abimelech, becoming disgusted with him and determining to remove him by treachery just as he had gained the throne by treachery.

Their treacherous division fulfilled the words of Jotham and was the beginning of retribution upon both Abimelech and the Shechemites who had sustained him. Abimelech had been permitted to execute God's vengeance upon Israel until he passed the limits of divine forbearance, so the outcome displays the justice of God in punishing both sides. The verse teaches that sin will never go unpunished and that entering the path of disobedience is dangerous, while all true greatness, peace, joy, safety, and happiness come only from entire conformity to God's will in cheerful obedience. This history stands in mighty contrast to the miracles and teaching of Christ, yet both speak of the goodness and mercy of God.