Judges 9:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Abimelech, a son of Gideon, goes to his mother's relatives in Shechem to lay the groundwork for seizing power.
What Does Judges 9:1 Mean?
Gideon (called Jerubbaal) has died, and the story turns to one of his sons, born to a concubine in Shechem. Abimelech goes not to his father's house but to his mother's kin, the people of Shechem, and quietly begins to win them to his cause.
Where Gideon had refused to rule and pointed the people to the Lord, his son now schemes for a crown. Ambition often dresses itself in the language of family and belonging. The chapter opens with a man trusting in blood ties and private persuasion rather than in God, and from that root a bitter harvest will grow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 9:1
What does Judges 9:1 mean?
Abimelech, a son of Gideon, goes to his mother's relatives in Shechem to lay the groundwork for seizing power.