INTRODUCTION: Much like the apostle Paul (Acts 7:58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
See All...), the main character in this lesson is first mentioned as an afterthought in one verse (Judges 8:31And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
See All...). Like Paul, the Lord was providing insight into who would be the next person to watch. Unlike the apostle Paul, this man followed after wickedness and died as an enemy of God.

1. ABIMELECH KILLS HIS BRETHREN TO BECOME KING (Judges 9:1-6 [1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, [2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. [3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother. [4] And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. [5] And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. [6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
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1. Abimelech Gathers Support from His Mother’s Family (Judges 9:1-3 [1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, [2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. [3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
   See All...).
1. He travels to Shechem to speak to his mother’s family (Judges 9:1And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
   See All...).
2. He suggests that it would be better for Shechem to have one man ruling over them rather than seventy (Judges 9:2Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
   See All...).
3. His mother’s brethren convince the men of Shechem to follow (Judges 9:3And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
   See All...).
2. Abimelech Hires an Army (Judges 9:4And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
   See All...).
1. Abimelech receives his campaign money.
2. Abimelech hires a following.
3. Abimelech Kills the Sons of Gideon (Judges 9:5And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
   See All...).
1. He goes to his father’s house and slays his brethren.
2. Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) hides himself.
4. The Men of Shechem Declare Abimelech King (Judges 9:6And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
   See All...).
2. JOTHAM DECLARES JUDGMENT ON ABIMELECH (Judges 9:7-21 [7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. [8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. [9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. [11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? [12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. [13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. [15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. [16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; [17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: [18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) [19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: [20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. [21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
   See All...)
1. Jotham Comes Out of Hiding (Judges 9:7And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
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1. He receives news of Abimelech’s following.
2. He goes to the top of Mount Gerizim and cries out to the men of Shechem.
2. He Tells the Parable of the Trees (Judges 9:8-15 [8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. [9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. [11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? [12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. [13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? [14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. [15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
   See All...).
1. The trees go forth to anoint a king to reign over them (Judges 9:8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
   See All...).
2. The call for the olive tree (Judges 9:8-9 [8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. [9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
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1. The trees ask the olive to reign over them (Judges 9:8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
   See All...).
2. The olive refuses to leave his fatness (Judges 9:9But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
   See All...).
3. The call for the fig tree (Judges 9:10-11 [10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. [11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
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1. The trees ask the fig to reign over them (Judges 9:10And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
   See All...).
2. The fig refuses to leave his sweetness and good fruit (Judges 9:11But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
   See All...).
4. The call for the vine (Judges 9:12-13 [12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. [13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
   See All...)
1. The trees ask the vine to reign over them (Judges 9:12Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
   See All...).
2. The vine refuses to leave his wine (Judges 9:13And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
   See All...).
5. The call for the bramble (Judges 9:14-15 [14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. [15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
   See All...)
1. The trees ask the bramble to reign over them (Judges 9:14Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
   See All...).
2. The bramble provides two options (Judges 9:15And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
   See All...).
3. He Pronounces Judgment on the Men of Shechem (Judges 9:16-21 [16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; [17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: [18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) [19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: [20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. [21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
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1. Jotham explains the two scenarios of the bramble (Judges 9:16-20 [16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; [17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: [18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) [19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: [20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
   See All...).
2. Jotham runs to Beer for fear of Abimelech (Judges 9:21And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
   See All...).
3. GAAL REBELS AGAINST ABIMELECH (Judges 9:22-29 [22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, [23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: [24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren. [25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. [26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. [27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. [28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? [29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
   See All...)
1. Trouble between Abimelech and Shechem (Judges 9:22-24 [22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, [23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: [24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
   See All...)
1. Abimelech reigns three years over Israel (Judges 9:22When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
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2. God sends an evil spirit between Abimlech and the men of Shechem (Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
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3. The men of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech (Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
   See All...).
4. The evil spirit is sent by the Lord so that the blood of Jerubbaal’s sons might return upon Abimelech and the men of Shechem (Judges 9:24That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
   See All...).
2. The Men of Shechem Reject Abimelech for Gaal (Judges 9:25-29 [25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. [26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. [27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. [28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? [29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
   See All...).
1. The men of Shechem turn on Abimelech (Judges 9:25And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
   See All...).
2. The men of Shechem put their confidence in Gaal (Judges 9:26And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
   See All...).
3. The men of Shechem celebrate with pagan worship (Judges 9:27And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
   See All...).
4. Gaal speaks out against Abimelech (Judges 9:28-29 [28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? [29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
   See All...).
4. ABIMELECH DEFEATS THE ARMY OF GAAL (Judges 9:30-44 [30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. [31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. [32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: [33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion. [34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. [35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. [36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. [37] And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim. [38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them. [39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. [40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate. [41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. [42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. [43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. [44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
   See All...)
1. Zebul Warns Abimelech of the Treachery (Judges 9:30-33 [30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. [31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. [32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: [33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
   See All...).
1. He is angered by the words of Gaal (Judges 9:30And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
   See All...).
2. He sends messengers to Abimelech with news of Gaal (Judges 9:31And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
   See All...).
3. He calls upon Abimelech to come to war against Gaal (Judges 9:32-33 [32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: [33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
   See All...).
2. Abimelech Lies in Wait against Shechem (Judges 9:34-38 [34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. [35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. [36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. [37] And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim. [38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
   See All...).
1. Abimelech divides his men and lays wait against Shechem (Judges 9:34And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
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2. Gaal sees Abimelech and his men moving in on Shechem (Judges 9:35-36 [35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. [36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
   See All...).
3. Zebul tells Gaal that he is mistaken (Judges 9:36And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
   See All...).
4. Gaal reaffirms that he sees men coming (Judges 9:37And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
   See All...).
5. Zebul tells him to go out and fight (Judges 9:38Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
   See All...).
3. Gaal Comes Out to Fight Abimelech (Judges 9:39-44 [39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. [40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate. [41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. [42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. [43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. [44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
   See All...).
1. Many are overthrown and Gaal is forced into the city (Judges 9:39-40 [39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. [40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
   See All...).
2. Zebul thrusts out Gaal and his brethren (Judges 9:41And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
   See All...).
3. Abimelech and his men attack outside the gate of the city (Judges 9:42-44 [42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. [43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. [44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
   See All...).
5. ABIMELECH DESTROYS THE PEOPLE OF SHECHEM (Judges 9:45-49 [45] And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. [46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. [47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. [48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. [49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
   See All...)
1. Abimelech Destroys the City of Shechem (Judges 9:45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
   See All...).
2. Abimelech Burns the Tower of Shechem (Judges 9:46-49 [46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. [47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. [48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. [49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
   See All...).
1. The men of the tower of Shechem hide in the house of Berith (Judges 9:46And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
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2. Abimelech and his men gather boughs of the trees to set the tower on fire (Judges 9:47-49 [47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. [48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. [49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
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6. ABIMELECH DIES BY A MILLSTONE IN THEBEZ (Judges 9:50-57 [50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. [51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. [52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. [53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. [54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. [55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. [56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: [57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
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1. Abimelech Moves against Thebez (Judges 9:50-52 [50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. [51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. [52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
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1. Abimelech goes to Thebez and encamps against it (Judges 9:50Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
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2. The people of Thebez flee to a tower and hide themselves (Judges 9:51But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
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3. Abimelech fights against the tower and goes hard unto the door to burn it with fire (Judges 9:52And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
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2. Abimelech Dies (Judges 9:53-55 [53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. [54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. [55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
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1. A woman casts a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head and brakes his skull (Judges 9:53And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
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2. Abimelech calls upon his armourbearer to kill him (Judges 9:54Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
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3. The men of Israel see that Abimelech is dead and they depart to their own place (Judges 9:55And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
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3. God Judges Abimelech and Shechem (Judges 9:56-57 [56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: [57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
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1. The reaping of Abimelech (Judges 9:56Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
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2. The reaping of Shechem (Judges 9:57And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
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CONCLUSION: Abimelech got his gain by wickedness, and the Lord retains His character by judging him. As the Scriptures declare, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”