Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ
Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem
Who is Abimelech in the Bible?
Abimelech was a son of Gideon born to a Shechemite concubine who declared himself king of Shechem after his father's death (Judges 8:31, 9:1-6). To secure his rule, he murdered his seventy brothers, though his youngest brother Jotham escaped and later confronted the Shechemites with a warning parable about the consequences of their support (Judges 9:7-21). After ruling for three years, Abimelech faced a rebellion from the people of Shechem, whom he defeated and whose city he destroyed by sowing it with salt (Judges 9:22-49). While besieging the city of Thebez, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head from the city wall, fatally wounding him, and he asked his armor-bearer to kill him to spare him the shame of being killed by a woman (Judges 9:50-55). Abimelech's tragic reign and violent death illustrate the biblical consequences of ambition, fratricide, and the rejection of God's established order of judges.
Biography
Abimelech was a son of Gideon, the judge of Israel, by his Shechemite concubine (Jdg.8.31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech conspired with his mother's family in Shechem to make himself king. He killed his seventy brothers, with only the youngest, Jotham, escaping (Jdg.9.1-6).
Jotham confronted the people of Shechem with a parable, warning them of the consequences of their actions in supporting Abimelech (Jdg.9.7-21). After three years, tensions arose between Abimelech and the people of Shechem, who eventually rebelled against him. Abimelech defeated the Shechemites and destroyed their city, sowing it with salt (Jdg.9.22-49).
Abimelech then attacked the city of Thebez. During the siege, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, severely wounding him. To avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman, Abimelech ordered his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword (Jdg.9.50-54). His death was seen as God's judgment for his wickedness in killing his brothers (Jdg.9.56-57).
Abimelech's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, treachery, and the abuse of power. It also demonstrates the consequences of failing to follow God's leadership and the importance of loyalty and integrity in relationships.
The death of Abimelech by a millstone is later referenced by David when he learns of the death of Uriah the Hittite in battle (2Sa.11.21), highlighting the ignominy associated with Abimelech's demise.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical booksJudges 5 verses
- Judges 8:31
"His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech."
- Judges 9:1
"Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,"
- Judges 9:3
"And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”"
- Judges 9:4
"So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him."
- Judges 9:6
"Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king."
2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 11:21
"Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who dropped an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then you are to say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead as well.’”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ |