Abimelech

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Son of Gideon who makes himself king in Shechem
• Family: Son of Gideon by a concubine from Shechem
• Key Books: Judges

Biography

Abimelech persuades Shechem to support him, murders his brothers, and rules violently. Jotham’s parable of the trees condemns him, and his reign ends when a woman drops a millstone on his head at Thebez.

Key Events

• Abimelech’s Usurpation — Murders Gideon’s sons and rules over Shechem

Relationships

• Gideon — Father
• Jotham — Surviving brother who pronounces judgment

Important Verses

“And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren…” — Judges 9:5

Cross-References

• Mentioned in: Judges

Notes

Abimelech is an anti-king figure before Israel formally asks for monarchy.