Judges 9: 1-6 "A self Made King"

Judges 9:1-6 A Self-made King

Abimelech the son of Gideon and his concubine from Shechem.

This chapter we are about to see how one person manipulated people and his circumstances to get in a position that wasn’t his to take.

Let's just go back to Jerubbal in Judges 8 and see what his response was to becoming King!

As I am studying through Judges something really struck me in Chapter 8. Jerubbaal had the opportunity to become King but chose not to accept that position or job. My first thought was why not? Why wouldn’t he take the position? He had all the necessary skills, he was chosen by God to judge over Israel to lead them into battle. He had the hand of God on him, why not just make that natural transition?

• Jerubbaal had what I think was just foresight to know that at that time it wasn’t his time nor his place to be in that position. He says in Judges 8:23 “ I will not rule over you , nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.”
He understood that some of life’s positions are God ordained and God led. and that just because he may have looked like a great fit and probably would have done a good job it wasn't God's plan at that time nor was it God led.


Let’s see how his very own son, Abimelech worked to become King. Read Judges 9: 1-6

• Abimelech goes to talk to his mother’s relatives and he says to them, I am the son of Gideon/ Jerubbaal.
• He asks his relatives to go before the leaders of Shechem and say to them:
“ which is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am your bone and your flesh.” Judges 9:2
• In verse 3 it says that they his mother’s relatives went before the leaders and spoke on behalf of Abimelech. It says that they were inclined to follow Abimelech.
• The people gave him 70 pieces of silver and what does he do? He hires “worthless men” and heads out to his father’s house now to kill all of his brothers and their sons. Why? I am certain it is to secure his place as king over Israel. But poor Abimelech just doesn’t understand the ways of God.
• One of Gideon’s son’s hides himself and is saved. Jotham.

The decision to make Abimelech King was made by the swaying words of his relatives. How often have we spoken on someone’s behalf or said something to someone to help someone’s situation. Have you ever been asked to speak to someone else on behalf of another? Take heed from the example of Abimelech. Make certain that you are not being manipulated.
• Seek the Lord and make certain that the one you are representing is walking in Truth and Integrity.
• Do they have a history of being puffed up? Are they seeking others to help them? Have they sought the help of someone else but been turned down? Ask questions of their intent?
• Just because they are your friend, co-worker, brother or sister; either of flesh and blood or spiritual. You should always seek Father before representing them before others.


Why is it that when our children are little they know how to manipulate their parents to get what they want? I remember our children use to do this all the time. They know which one of us is likely to say yes in any given situation and which one would likely say no. They have learned to go to the parent who is sympathetic to their situation first and then when they get a yes they celebrate! This was usually my first warning that I’ve been manipulated! Even though the yes might be a short lived yes, they celebrate that they were able to work the system.

My prayer for today is that we wouldn’t manipulate people or situations to get what we want or to do what we want. But that we would instead go prayerfully before our Lord and Savior and seek His face so that we can be sure that what ever the answer, we are surely in the will of God rather than man’s.

Lord, guide our steps. Watch over our lips. May we walk with Integrity and Truth and may we not seek our own gain but Lord that we would seek You and in You be secure that we are where You want us to be.
It is in Your name I pray
The name of Jesus
Amen……………