Judges 9:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Shechem and Beth-millo gather and crown Abimelech king beside the sacred oak.
What Does Judges 9:6 Mean?
With the brothers dead, the citizens of Shechem and the house of Millo assemble and make Abimelech king by the great tree, or pillar, in Shechem -- a place long tied to covenant gatherings.
Israel was meant to have no king but the Lord, yet here a city installs a fratricide as ruler at a once-sacred site. The contrast is grim: the same ground that had witnessed promises to God now witnesses a coronation born of murder. A kingship founded on bloodshed cannot stand, and the very crowd that crowns him will later turn against him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 9:6
What does Judges 9:6 mean?
Shechem and Beth-millo gather and crown Abimelech king beside the sacred oak.