In Judges 9, we witness the tragic consequences of poor leadership, as Abimelech, the son of Gideon, seizes power through treachery and violence. This daily devotional serves as a sobering reminder of what can happen when leadership is chosen without God’s guidance and approval. The story challenges us to reflect on the traits we prioritize when selecting our own leaders. Are we guided by faith and integrity, or by superficial factors like familiarity or self-interest? As we navigate our choices today, this passage encourages us to seek leaders who embody godly characteristics and align with biblical principles. To learn of the tragic ending to Gideon’s life, read the daily devotional on Judges 8.
Judges 9 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Judges 9, evil leadership follows Gideon. What traits are important to you when selecting leadership? Please read or listen to Judges 9.
Why did God allow Abimelech?
What a tough and ugly chapter of scripture. In 1983, I wrote about Judges 9, “Abimelech’s treacherous reign. God remembers wickedness and repays it in the end.”
In 1995, I was going through a job change. I wrote in my journal, “I met with so-and-so yesterday and it went well. Looks like CACI will give me a three-month severance so the pieces are coming together miraculously. Praise God. Decisions will get made tomorrow.” I again wrote about my prayer. Remember my bad attitude yesterday? My prayer was for “Forgiveness of sin. Thanks for quick guidance and direction for Your perfect will and what is happening.” Things are far from being settled yet, but at least my heart seems to be more settled.
On that day, I wrote about Judges 9, “Abimelech, Gideon’s son, was evil, power-hungry, a murderer. Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, was godly. Act in truth and sincerity. Deal well with people and families, then rejoice. If not, be judged. God allowed Abimelech to reign three years. Poor Jotham. But then Jotham’s curse was fulfilled. I need patience to let God’s timing workout, for example, at CACI”, my former employer.
In 2016, I read Judges 9 on two days, splitting the chapter. The first day, I wrote, “Shechem made Abimelech king because he was their brother. Flesh and blood, apparently, and no other reason. How do we pick our kings, our leaders? The color of their skin: Obama. Gender: Hillary Clinton. Family: Bushes and Clintons. Speaking of hypocrisy of family, they killed all seventy of his brothers. Were their actions in good faith and integrity? Are ours? Consider our decision-making. Good faith with integrity before God would be a good guide. They did not do this. Do I?”
What did Abimelech do Wrong?
The second day, I read the rest of Judges 9 and wrote, “God sends evil spirits. He did to Saul and here again. Hard for me to understand how or why the God of love, mercy, grace, would send evil to a person. I believe He is just and true, so His actions do not need to make sense or be explained to me. Abimelech did evil by killing his seventy brothers, sons of Gideon. Does God repay evil with evil?” I was referring to verse 24. “This is also an example of what happens when leaders rise or are selected without God’s approval. The people suffer.”
Why Is Abimelech not a Judge?
There is no indication God raised up Abimelech to lead Shechem. This chapter is a very good example of what happens when God is not selecting leadership. Abimelech started out bad and only got worse. In verse 4, the people of the city give him seventy pieces of silver and he “hires worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.” Next, he kills all his brothers, only Jotham got away. Next, Abimelech turns against the very people that elected him their leader.
What Is the Lesson of Judges 9?
Judges 9 is a great example of how not to select leadership. How do you select leadership? How do you vote for the candidates that will lead over you? Do you do so in good faith and integrity? Or do you vote for people for other reasons, not godly reasons?
Our application today is to be careful how we select our leaders. The next time you get to cast a vote, whether it is for the top leadership position in your country, your state, or your city, would you consider their godly characteristics above all other characteristics? Which one, if any, will support biblical principles?
Prayer
Father, guide us as we have the chance to vote, when we have the chance to select leaders who will rule and govern over us. Holy Spirit, help us see the godly characteristics in those who are running for office and choose wisely. And sometimes, Lord, there is not a very good choice. Maybe none of the candidates appear to be godly or biblical. Protect us, Lord, from evil leadership. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
