Topical Encyclopedia 1. Abimelech, King of Gerar:Abimelech, the king of Gerar, is a significant figure in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis. He is first introduced in Genesis 20, where he encounters Abraham. Abraham, fearing for his life due to the beauty of his wife Sarah, claims she is his sister. Consequently, Abimelech takes Sarah into his household. However, God intervenes by appearing to Abimelech in a dream, warning him that Sarah is Abraham's wife. Abimelech responds with integrity, returning Sarah to Abraham and offering him gifts. The narrative highlights Abimelech's innocence and God's protection over Sarah. Genesis 20:6-7 states, "Then God said to him in the dream, 'Yes, I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you can be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.'" Abimelech reappears in Genesis 21, where he forms a covenant with Abraham at Beersheba. This agreement is made after a dispute over a well, which Abraham claims to have dug. The covenant is sealed with an oath, and the place is named Beersheba, meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven," as Abraham gives Abimelech seven ewe lambs as a witness. Genesis 21:31 records, "So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that both of them swore an oath." 2. Abimelech, Son of Gideon: Another Abimelech appears in the Book of Judges, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and his concubine from Shechem. After Gideon's death, Abimelech seeks to establish himself as king. He persuades the leaders of Shechem to support him, arguing that it is better for them to be ruled by one man rather than the seventy sons of Gideon. With their backing, Abimelech kills his seventy brothers, except for the youngest, Jotham, who escapes. Judges 9:5 recounts, "He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on a single stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself." Abimelech's reign is marked by treachery and violence. His rule lasts three years before God sends an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to mutual destruction. In a final battle at Thebez, Abimelech meets his end when a woman drops a millstone on his head, mortally wounding him. To avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman, he orders his armor-bearer to kill him. Judges 9:54 states, "He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, 'Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’' So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died." 3. Abimelech, Priest during David's Time: In 1 Chronicles 18:16, Abimelech is mentioned as a priest during the reign of King David. This reference is part of a list of officials serving David, where Abimelech is noted alongside Zadok. The passage reads, "Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe." This mention is brief and does not provide further details about his role or actions. 4. Abimelech, Alternate Name for Ahimelech: In some biblical texts, Abimelech is used interchangeably with Ahimelech, the priest who assisted David when he fled from Saul. This is seen in the superscription of Psalm 34, which refers to the events in 1 Samuel 21, where David feigns madness before Achish, king of Gath. The superscription reads, "Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left." This usage suggests a possible textual variation or tradition in the naming of the priest. Concordance Abim'elech's (2 Occurrences)Genesis 21:25 Judges 9:53 Thesaurus Abim'elech's (2 Occurrences)Abim'elech's. Abimelech's, Abim'elech's. Abinadab . Multi-Version Concordance Abim'elech's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 21:25 And Abraham ... /a/abim'elech's.htm - 6k Abinadab (12 Occurrences) Abimelech's (4 Occurrences) Crushed (199 Occurrences) Threw (133 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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