Judges 9:6 - All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Judges 9:6" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Abimelech, a son of Gideon (also called Jerubbaal), in the Book of Judges. Let's break down the meaning:
"All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo..." This indicates a broad coalition of people from the city of Shechem were gathering. "The house of Millo" likely refers to a specific group or influential family within Shechem, potentially related to a fortress or important building. The fact that both groups are mentioned highlights the widespread support (or at least agreement) for this action.
"...and went and made Abimelech king..." This is the key event: they are installing Abimelech as their king. This is significant because Gideon, Abimelech's father, had refused to be king earlier (Judges 8:22-23), stating that the Lord should rule over Israel. The people of Shechem are now choosing a human king for themselves.
"...by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem." This specifies the location of the coronation. This "oak of the pillar" was a significant landmark in Shechem. Oaks often had sacred or symbolic meaning in ancient cultures, and a pillar (or standing stone) could represent a covenant or agreement. The gathering at this specific place suggests a formal, perhaps even religious, consecration of Abimelech as king, imbuing the act with legitimacy in their eyes. It's a public and symbolic location that signals this is a significant event.
In essence, the verse describes the act of the people of Shechem, a major Canaanite city in central Israel, choosing Abimelech as their king in a formal ceremony at a culturally significant location. This act sets the stage for the turbulent reign of Abimelech, which is characterized by violence and treachery, and represents a rejection of the previous theocratic governance and a move towards a more traditional monarchy.
Here's what's important to note about the context:
Abimelech's Ambition: Abimelech was ambitious and ruthless. After Gideon's death, he orchestrated the murder of 70 of his half-brothers (with only one surviving), clearing the way for him to claim the throne. This verse follows that act and describes the people of Shechem legitimizing his power grab.
Rejection of Gideon's Legacy: Gideon had refused kingship, and the people's desire for a king after his death suggests dissatisfaction with the existing leadership and a longing for a more stable and structured form of government. However, they're choosing a king who is very different from Gideon.
Foreshadowing Trouble: The narrative is building a sense of unease. This kingship is not established by divine will or through the traditional Israelite means, but by the actions of a violent and ambitious man supported by a single city. This foreshadows the trouble and eventual downfall that will plague Abimelech's reign. The story acts as a cautionary tale, showing the dangers of a king chosen for personal ambition rather than divine appointment or the good of all the people.
Judges 9:6 - All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
What does "Judges 9:6" mean?
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the story of Abimelech, a son of Gideon (also called Jerubbaal), in the Book of Judges. Let's break down the meaning:
"All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo..." This indicates a broad coalition of people from the city of Shechem were gathering. "The house of Millo" likely refers to a specific group or influential family within Shechem, potentially related to a fortress or important building. The fact that both groups are mentioned highlights the widespread support (or at least agreement) for this action.
"...and went and made Abimelech king..." This is the key event: they are installing Abimelech as their king. This is significant because Gideon, Abimelech's father, had refused to be king earlier (Judges 8:22-23), stating that the Lord should rule over Israel. The people of Shechem are now choosing a human king for themselves.
"...by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem." This specifies the location of the coronation. This "oak of the pillar" was a significant landmark in Shechem. Oaks often had sacred or symbolic meaning in ancient cultures, and a pillar (or standing stone) could represent a covenant or agreement. The gathering at this specific place suggests a formal, perhaps even religious, consecration of Abimelech as king, imbuing the act with legitimacy in their eyes. It's a public and symbolic location that signals this is a significant event.
In essence, the verse describes the act of the people of Shechem, a major Canaanite city in central Israel, choosing Abimelech as their king in a formal ceremony at a culturally significant location. This act sets the stage for the turbulent reign of Abimelech, which is characterized by violence and treachery, and represents a rejection of the previous theocratic governance and a move towards a more traditional monarchy.
Here's what's important to note about the context:
Abimelech's Ambition: Abimelech was ambitious and ruthless. After Gideon's death, he orchestrated the murder of 70 of his half-brothers (with only one surviving), clearing the way for him to claim the throne. This verse follows that act and describes the people of Shechem legitimizing his power grab.
Rejection of Gideon's Legacy: Gideon had refused kingship, and the people's desire for a king after his death suggests dissatisfaction with the existing leadership and a longing for a more stable and structured form of government. However, they're choosing a king who is very different from Gideon.
Foreshadowing Trouble: The narrative is building a sense of unease. This kingship is not established by divine will or through the traditional Israelite means, but by the actions of a violent and ambitious man supported by a single city. This foreshadows the trouble and eventual downfall that will plague Abimelech's reign. The story acts as a cautionary tale, showing the dangers of a king chosen for personal ambition rather than divine appointment or the good of all the people.