Judges 9:18 - and you have risen up against my father’s house today, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
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What does "Judges 9:18" mean?
This verse from Judges 9:18 is part of a speech delivered by Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), after Abimelech, Gideon's illegitimate son, orchestrated the murder of his brothers. Let's break down what it means:
"and you have risen up against my father’s house today..." This is an accusation against the people of Shechem. "My father’s house" refers to the descendants and legacy of Gideon. Jotham is saying that the people of Shechem have betrayed Gideon's family.
"...and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone..." This is the central horror of the story. Abimelech, with the support of the Shechemites, brutally murdered seventy of Gideon's sons. The phrase "on one stone" suggests a particularly gruesome and efficient massacre, perhaps using a large stone as an altar or execution site. The sheer number emphasizes the scale of the atrocity.
"...and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother..." This highlights the motive and consequences of the massacre. Abimelech, being the son of Gideon's female servant (often a concubine), wouldn't normally have a legitimate claim to leadership. The Shechemites supported him because he was of Shechemite descent through his mother (hence "your brother"), not because of any inherent right or qualification. Jotham is pointing out that their tribal allegiance and ethnic connection led them to choose an unworthy and murderous leader.
In essence, the verse is Jotham's condemnation of the Shechemites for their treachery and wickedness. He accuses them of:
1. Betraying Gideon's legacy: They rose up against the house that had delivered them.
2. Committing a heinous crime: They participated in the mass murder of Gideon's sons.
3. Elevating an unworthy leader: They chose Abimelech, a man of questionable lineage and proven violence, based on ethnic ties rather than merit.
This verse sets the stage for Jotham's subsequent parable, where he uses the metaphor of trees choosing a king to further illustrate the folly and destructive consequences of their decision. It's a powerful indictment of ambition, tribalism, and the dangers of choosing leaders based on expediency rather than character.
Judges 9:18 - and you have risen up against my father’s house today, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
What does "Judges 9:18" mean?
This verse from Judges 9:18 is part of a speech delivered by Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), after Abimelech, Gideon's illegitimate son, orchestrated the murder of his brothers. Let's break down what it means:
"and you have risen up against my father’s house today..." This is an accusation against the people of Shechem. "My father’s house" refers to the descendants and legacy of Gideon. Jotham is saying that the people of Shechem have betrayed Gideon's family.
"...and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone..." This is the central horror of the story. Abimelech, with the support of the Shechemites, brutally murdered seventy of Gideon's sons. The phrase "on one stone" suggests a particularly gruesome and efficient massacre, perhaps using a large stone as an altar or execution site. The sheer number emphasizes the scale of the atrocity.
"...and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother..." This highlights the motive and consequences of the massacre. Abimelech, being the son of Gideon's female servant (often a concubine), wouldn't normally have a legitimate claim to leadership. The Shechemites supported him because he was of Shechemite descent through his mother (hence "your brother"), not because of any inherent right or qualification. Jotham is pointing out that their tribal allegiance and ethnic connection led them to choose an unworthy and murderous leader.
In essence, the verse is Jotham's condemnation of the Shechemites for their treachery and wickedness. He accuses them of:
1. Betraying Gideon's legacy: They rose up against the house that had delivered them.
2. Committing a heinous crime: They participated in the mass murder of Gideon's sons.
3. Elevating an unworthy leader: They chose Abimelech, a man of questionable lineage and proven violence, based on ethnic ties rather than merit.
This verse sets the stage for Jotham's subsequent parable, where he uses the metaphor of trees choosing a king to further illustrate the folly and destructive consequences of their decision. It's a powerful indictment of ambition, tribalism, and the dangers of choosing leaders based on expediency rather than character.