Judges 9:42-49
42 The next day the people went out to the field, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 He took his men, divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose against them and struck them down.
44 Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and struck them down.
45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day, captured the city and killed the people who were in it; and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.
46 When all the citizens of the Tower of Shechem heard about this, they entered the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.
47 Abimelech heard that they had assembled there,
48 so he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulder. He ordered the men with him, “Quick! Do what you have seen me do!”
49 So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire over the people inside. So all the people in the Tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.
Abimelech’s Revenge
The mistake of believing in Gaal the son of Ebed
Whom or what do you trust in times of crisis? Can those things or people truly help you? It is in times of crisis that the truth shines out. The people of Shechem have learned this lesson at a high cost. The people of Shechem put their trust in Gaal, but in today’s passage, that decision come back to haunt them. They thought everything was over when Gaal was expelled from the city – such a careless and frivolous people they were. But Abimelech’s anger had not subsided. Unaware of this, the people of Shechem went about their usual business the next day. Abimelech divided his forces into three groups, with one group standing at the city gate, and the other two attacking the people who came out into the fields. The people of Shechem had no chance to flee back to the city and were killed. Abimelech destroyed the city and sowed it with salt. This act of sowing salt symbolizes that the city was forever destroyed. The people of Shechem relied on Gaal, but it was a wrong choice.
Mistake of trusting in Baal
There were survivors at a place called the “tower of Shechem.” This is probably referring to the “upper city” mentioned as “Beth-millo” (v 9:6). They attempted their final resistance and took refuge in the underground chamber of El-berith’s (Baal-berith’s) temple. Usually, the temple was built as a stronghold. They believed that El-berith would protect them within the temple. Abimelech placed branches on top of the underground chamber and set them on fire, burning the underground chamber. As a result, about a thousand men and women who survived were burned to death. (1) This fulfilled Jotham’s prophecy, where he said, “may fire come out of the bramble (Abimelech) and consume the cedars of Lebanon (men of Shechem)” (v 9:15). (2) The people who trusted in idols suffered shame. (3) Thus, one of the unconquered Canaanite cities was destroyed. The Bible says, “Whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) will not be put to shame” (Rom. 10:11). Let us believe in this verse.
Today's prayer
Almighty God, the only one I trust is Jesus Christ. Please protect me from putting my trust in vain things. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.