Rulers and official · Opponent · Old Testament
The Story of Abimelech son of Gideon
Not the kings of Gerar named Abimelech in Genesis 20 and 26.
Gideon's son by his concubine in Shechem, who killed his brothers and ruled at Shechem three years.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Abimelech was the son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) by his concubine in Shechem. He persuaded his mother's kin in Shechem to make him ruler and killed his seventy brothers on one stone; only Jotham escaped. Judges 8:31Judges 9:1–6
He ruled Israel three years before Shechem turned against him. He died at Thebez when a woman dropped a millstone on his head. Judges does not call him a judge. Judges 9:22–57
Told in: Judges
Life at a glance
- Father
- Gideon (Jerubbaal) Judges 8:31Judges 9:1
- Mother
- Gideon's concubine in Shechem (not named) Judges 8:31
- Ruled
- Three years Judges 9:22
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Abimelech son of Gideon
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Made king at Shechem
Abimelech kills his brothers and is made king by the oak of the pillar in Shechem.
Jotham's fable
Jotham, the youngest brother, warns Shechem with the parable of the trees.
Revolt and death
Shechem rebels; Abimelech destroys it and dies at Thebez.
Family and relationships
- GideonFatherJudges 8:31
- JothamYoungest half-brother, who escapedJudges 9:5
- TolaRose after himJudges 10:1
Family tree and genealogy
- Parents
- Gideon (father), Gideon's concubine in Shechem (mother)
- Brothers and sisters
- Jotham (half-brother), Jether (brother), Gideon's seventy sons 70 (brother)
Each relationship links to its passage in the family tree.
Books associated with Abimelech son of Gideon
- Judges Their story appears here
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
JusticeLeadership
- How does Judges 9:56-57 explain Abimelech's end?
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