And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
The verse stands in the account of Jotham's parable and the Shechemites' choice of Abimelech as king. Abimelech had caused his brothers to be slain and had hired worthless followers to support his bid for power. Zebul's anger when he heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed came amid the growing conflict between Abimelech and the very people who had helped make him king.
That discord and rebellion grew until it brought the destruction of Shechem and a neighboring city. It ended also in Abimelech's own death. Those doing valuable work for the Lord do not seek rule over others, and ambition to be exalted over others shows a person is unfit to rule. The history shows that sin does not go unpunished.
The verse stands in the account of Jotham's parable and the Shechemites' choice of Abimelech as king. Abimelech had caused his brothers to be slain and had hired worthless followers to support his bid for power. Zebul's anger when he heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed came amid the growing conflict between Abimelech and the very people who had helped make him king.
That discord and rebellion grew until it brought the destruction of Shechem and a neighboring city. It ended also in Abimelech's own death. Those doing valuable work for the Lord do not seek rule over others, and ambition to be exalted over others shows a person is unfit to rule. The history shows that sin does not go unpunished.