Key Characters in Judges: Abimelech and Jotham

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Questions and Answers

What trees did the rest of the trees ask to rule over them?

Bramble (correct)

Olive tree (correct)

Fig tree (correct)

Vine (correct)

How did Abimelech convince the people of Shechem to follow him?

He appealed to them by saying he is their brother.

Who was Abimelech's father?

Jerubbaal.

Who did Abimelech commune with in Shechem?

All the family of the house of his mother's father. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Abimelech go to get support for his plan to rule?

Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech ask of his mother's family?

Whether it is better for them that all the sons of Jerubbaal reign over them or that one reign over them. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Abimelech turn to in order to become ruler?

His mother's brethren. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech do at Ophrah?

He slew his brethren, the sons of Jerubbaal. Signup and view all the answers

How did the men of Shechem respond to Abimelech's appeal?

Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech. Signup and view all the answers

What reason did the men of Shechem give for following Abimelech?

He is our brother. Signup and view all the answers

How much money did the people of Shechem give Abimelech?

70 pieces of silver. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the money come from which was given to Abimelech at Shechem?

Out of the house of Baalberith. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech do with the money from Shechem?

He hired vain and light persons to follow him. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jotham react to Abimelech being made king?

He went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim and cried out. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Abimelech kill Jerubbaal's sons?

At his father's house in Ophrah. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech do with his mother's family?

He communed with them. Signup and view all the answers

How many of Gideon's sons did Abimelech kill?

Three score and ten (70). Signup and view all the answers

On what did Abimelech kill his brothers?

Upon one stone. Signup and view all the answers

Who killed his brothers at Ophrah?

Abimelech. Signup and view all the answers

Where were Gideon's sons killed?

Ophrah. Signup and view all the answers

How did Jotham avoid getting killed?

He hid himself. Signup and view all the answers

Who made Abimelech king?

All the men of Shechem and all the house of Millo. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Abimelech made king?

By the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

Who was made the first king of Israel?

Abimelech. Signup and view all the answers

What appeal did Abimelech make to the people of Shechem?

He reminded them that he is their bone and their flesh. Signup and view all the answers

What response did the olive tree give to the other trees?

Should I leave my fatness and go to be promoted over the trees? Signup and view all the answers

What response did the fig tree give to the other trees?

Should I forsake my sweetness and good fruit to be promoted over the trees? Signup and view all the answers

What response did the vine give to the other trees?

Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, to be promoted over the trees? Signup and view all the answers

What response did the bramble give to the other trees?

If ye anoint me king, put your trust in my shadow; if not, let fire come out of the bramble. Signup and view all the answers

How was Abimelech killed?

His young man thrust him through, and he died. Signup and view all the answers

What did the men of Shechem set at the top of the mountains?

Liers--an ambush. Signup and view all the answers

Who escaped the slaughter at the stone at Ophrah?

Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal. Signup and view all the answers

What message did Jotham give the people of Shechem and Millo?

Let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and vice versa. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Jotham flee to after his announcement in Shechem?

To Beer. Signup and view all the answers

Who sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem?

God. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Abimelech reign over Israel?

Three years. Signup and view all the answers

How did God end the reign of Abimelech?

God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

Why did God bring about discord between Abimelech and Shechem?

To lay the blood of Jerubbaal's sons upon Abimelech. Signup and view all the answers

In whom did the men of Shechem put their confidence during the reign of Abimelech?

Gaal, the son of Ebed. Signup and view all the answers

What position did Zebul have in Shechem?

Zebul was the ruler of the city. Signup and view all the answers

From where did the Shechemites curse Abimelech?

The house of their god. Signup and view all the answers

What taunt did Gaal make about Abimelech?

Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Signup and view all the answers

Who was Abimelech's officer?

Zebul. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Gaal tell the Shechemites to serve?

The men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gaal say he would do about Abimelech?

He would remove Abimelech. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the father of Gaal?

Ebed. Signup and view all the answers

What did the death of Abimelech accomplish?

God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech upon his own head. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Zebul when he heard Gaal speak about Abimelech?

His anger was kindled. Signup and view all the answers

What did Zebul do in response to Gaal's pronouncement?

He sent messengers to Abimelech privately. Signup and view all the answers

What advice did Zebul give to Abimelech?

Ambush the city in the early morning. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech do in response to Zebul's message (or Gaal's threat)?

Abimelech rose up by night and laid wait against Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

On the morning when Shechem was attacked, what did Gaal say to Zebul?

Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. Signup and view all the answers

What became of Abimelech's army once he died?

They departed every man unto his place. Signup and view all the answers

After Gaal saw additional troops coming at him, what did Zebul say to him?

Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech? Signup and view all the answers

Who led the men of Shechem to fight against Abimelech?

Gaal. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Abimelech spend the first night of his battle against Shechem?

Arumah. Signup and view all the answers

Who told Abimelech that Gaal had been kept out of Shechem?

The people in the field. Signup and view all the answers

Who threw Gaal out of Shechem?

Zebul. Signup and view all the answers

How far were Gaal's fighters overthrown?

Even unto the entering of the gate. Signup and view all the answers

How did Abimelech attack Shechem?

He divided the people into three companies and ambushed them. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the men of the tower of Shechem flee to escape Abimelech?

To an hold of the house of the god Berith. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Abimelech gather his troops when attacking the tower of Shechem?

Mount Zalmon. Signup and view all the answers

After cutting a bough with an axe, what did Abimelech instruct his soldiers?

What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. Signup and view all the answers

How many people died in the tower of Shechem?

About a thousand men and women. Signup and view all the answers

How many men died in the tower of Shechem?

All the men of the tower of Shechem. Signup and view all the answers

What city did Abimelech attack after he burned the tower of Shechem?

Thebez. Signup and view all the answers

Where did the citizens of Thebez flee to?

A strong tower within the city. Signup and view all the answers

How did Abimelech intend to overtake Thebez?

By burning it with fire. Signup and view all the answers

How was Abimelech injured at Thebez?

A certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abimelech sow Shechem with?

Salt. Signup and view all the answers

What response did Zebul give to Gaal when he saw people coming down from the mountains?

Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters and Entities

Abimelech: Son of Jerubbaal, sought to rule Shechem by persuading its people.
Jotham: Youngest son of Jerubbaal who escaped Abimelech’s slaughter.
Gaal: Son of Ebed, challenged Abimelech's authority in Shechem.
Zebul: Ruler of Shechem and Abimelech’s officer, played a key role in strategy against Gaal.

Abimelech's Rise to Power

Abimelech gained support by appealing to his heritage as the son of Jerubbaal and convincing Shechem's men that one ruler would be better than many.
Utilized financial backing from the temple of Baalberith, receiving 70 pieces of silver to gather supporters.
Killed his 70 brothers at Ophrah to eliminate rivals, leaving only Jotham alive.

The Trees' Parable of Kingship

Various trees (olive, fig, vine) refused to rule over the others, illustrating the burden of leadership, while the bramble accepted the role but warned of destruction.

Jotham's Curse

After escaping, Jotham cursed Shechem for its choice of Abimelech, stating mutual destruction would ensue between Abimelech and the men of Shechem.

Abimelech's Reign and Struggles

Abimelech ruled Israel for three years before discord arose between him and the men of Shechem, initiated by God.
Triggered by the treachery in Shechem and the massacre of Jerubbaal’s sons, conflicts intensified.

Gaal’s Challenge to Abimelech

Gaal openly questioned Abimelech's legitimacy, rallying the people of Shechem against him.
Zebul mediated the conflict, sending warnings to Abimelech, leading to a surprise attack on Gaal.

Abimelech's Military Campaigns

Abimelech used strategic ambush tactics to defeat Gaal and his followers in Shechem and later attacked the tower of Shechem, resulting in significant casualties.
He employed intimidation and direct assaults, ultimately leading to the destruction of Shechem.

The Fall of Abimelech

In Thebez, Abimelech was mortally wounded by a millstone thrown by a woman, showcasing the theme of poetic justice.
His death sparked further turmoil, demonstrating the consequences of his violent ascent to power.

Final Actions

Abimelech sowed salt in Shechem as a symbol of desolation after its destruction, ensuring the city would remain uninhabitable.
His violent campaign led to the total demise of those in positions of power while reinforcing the cyclical nature of violence in the struggle for leadership in Israel.

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Description

Explore the key characters and events related to Abimelech's rise to power in the Book of Judges. This quiz covers figures like Jotham, Gaal, and Zebul, along with the significant parable of kingship. Test your understanding of the themes and lessons presented in this biblical narrative.