Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. Then Abimelech went to ThebezAbimelech, the son of Gideon, is a central figure in this narrative. His journey to Thebez follows his violent campaign to establish himself as king, which began with the massacre of his seventy brothers. Thebez is a city in the region of Shechem, indicating Abimelech's continued efforts to consolidate power in the central hill country of Israel. Thebez is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but its inclusion here highlights its strategic importance. The city's name means "brightness" or "whiteness," possibly referring to its geographical features or its significance in the region. encamped against it
Abimelech's encampment signifies a military siege, a common tactic in ancient warfare. This action reflects his aggressive and ruthless nature, as he seeks to subdue Thebez just as he did with Shechem. The encampment would involve surrounding the city, cutting off supplies, and preparing for an assault. This tactic is reminiscent of other biblical sieges, such as the siege of Jericho (Joshua 6) and the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25). and captured it
The capture of Thebez demonstrates Abimelech's initial success in his campaign. However, this victory is short-lived, as the subsequent verses reveal his downfall. The capture of cities was a common occurrence in the turbulent period of the Judges, characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Abimelech's actions contrast with the deliverance typically provided by judges, as he seeks personal power rather than the liberation of Israel. This event foreshadows his demise, as his unchecked ambition ultimately leads to his death, fulfilling the biblical theme of divine justice and the consequences of sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped. Abimelech's rule is marked by violence and treachery. 2. ThebezA city in ancient Israel. Thebez is significant in this account as the place where Abimelech meets his downfall. It represents a stronghold that Abimelech attempts to conquer after his previous successes. 3. Encampment and CaptureAbimelech's military strategy involves laying siege to Thebez, demonstrating his aggressive and relentless pursuit of power. This event sets the stage for his eventual demise. Teaching Points The Dangers of Ambition Without GodAbimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power without seeking God's guidance. His actions lead to destruction, illustrating the futility of self-centered ambition. The Consequences of SinAbimelech's violent rise to power and subsequent actions serve as a reminder that sin has consequences. His account is a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of sin and its impact on individuals and communities. God's Sovereignty and JusticeDespite Abimelech's temporary success, his eventual downfall at Thebez demonstrates God's sovereignty and justice. God ultimately holds individuals accountable for their actions. The Importance of Strong FoundationsAbimelech's failure highlights the importance of building one's life on a strong, godly foundation. Without it, even the mightiest endeavors can crumble. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abimelech's ambition and quest for power reflect the dangers of prioritizing personal gain over God's will? Can you identify similar examples in today's world? 2. In what ways does the account of Abimelech illustrate the principle that "pride goes before destruction"? How can we guard against pride in our own lives? 3. How does the siege of Thebez and Abimelech's eventual downfall demonstrate God's justice? Can you think of other biblical examples where God's justice prevails? 4. Reflect on the importance of building a strong foundation in your life. What steps can you take to ensure your foundation is rooted in God's truth? 5. How can the account of Abimelech serve as a warning about the consequences of sin? What practical steps can you take to avoid similar pitfalls in your own life? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 9:1-6Provides background on Abimelech's rise to power, highlighting his ambition and ruthlessness. 2 Samuel 11:1Similar to Abimelech's siege of Thebez, King David's military campaigns demonstrate the common practice of besieging cities in ancient warfare. Proverbs 16:18This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to destruction, which is evident in Abimelech's account. Matthew 7:26-27Jesus' parable of the foolish builder can be related to Abimelech's unstable foundation of power, built on treachery and violence. People Abimelech, Ebed, Gaal, Hamor, Jerubbaal, Jotham, Ophrah, Zalmon, ZebulPlaces Arumah, Beer, Beth-millo, Diviners' Oak, Lebanon, Midian, Mount Gerizim, Mount Zalmon, Ophrah, Shechem, Thebez, Tower of ShechemTopics Abimelech, Abim'elech, Army, Besieged, Camped, Captured, Captureth, Encamped, Encampeth, Position, ThebezDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 9:50 5529 sieges Judges 9:50-52 5315 fortifications
5506 roof Judges 9:50-53 4482 millstones Library Here, by Way of Objection, Several Questions are Raised. ...
Here, by way of objection, several questions are raised. Scripture relates that God sometimes complied with certain prayers which had been dictated by minds not duly calmed or regulated. It is true, that the cause for which Jotham imprecated on the inhabitants of Shechem the disaster which afterwards befell them was well founded; but still he was inflamed with anger and revenge (Judges 9:20); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervour …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of FaithTrials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Hence is Also that which Thou Hast Mentioned that they Speak Of...
28. Hence is also that which thou hast mentioned that they speak of, that the Lord Jesus, after He was risen, walked in the way with two disciples; and upon their drawing near to the village whither they were going, He made as though He would have gone farther: where the Evangelist, saying, "But He Himself feigned that He would go further," [2435] hath put that very word in which liars too greatly delight, that they may with impunity lie: as if every thing that is feigned is a lie, whereas in a truthful …
St. Augustine—Against Lying The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Sovereignty of God in Administration
"The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all" (Psa. 103:19). First, a word concerning the need for God to govern the material world. Suppose the opposite for a moment. For the sake of argument, let us say that God created the world, designed and fixed certain laws (which men term "the laws of Nature"), and that He then withdrew, leaving the world to its fortune and the out-working of these laws. In such a case, we should have a world over which there was no intelligent, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God, …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It.
1. A general summary of what is contained in the previous part of the work. A transition to the doctrine of prayer. Its connection with the subject of faith. 2. Prayer defined. Its necessity and use. 3. Objection, that prayer seems useless, because God already knows our wants. Answer, from the institution and end of prayer. Confirmation by example. Its necessity and propriety. Perpetually reminds us of our duty, and leads to meditation on divine providence. Conclusion. Prayer a most useful exercise. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 9:50 NIVJudges 9:50 NLTJudges 9:50 ESVJudges 9:50 NASBJudges 9:50 KJV
Judges 9:50 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
