What happensPermalink
Gideon’s son Abimelech kills his brothers to become king. His remaining brother, Jotham, curses him. The Shechemites, who put him on the throne, rebel against him. Abimelech razes Shechem, burning over a thousand people to death; when he sacks Thebez, a woman drops a millstone on him, killing him.
Why it mattersPermalink
The quality of Israel’s leaders is declining, even though Abimelech calls himself a king, not a judge. Deborah and Barak were heroes; Gideon at least spoke to God and obeyed Him; Abimelech comes to power by murdering his brothers. When both the leader and the people disobey God, both are destroyed.
Key versePermalink
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech…