Judges 9:23

Translations

Modern

God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

Traditional

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Literal

…and God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and between the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

Latin

Misitque Dominus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem: qui cœperunt eum detestari,

Original

Hebrew

English

God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

Notes

Judges 9:22–23

It took three years to fulfill what God had planned. The spirit that caused trouble found people ready to listen. Those punished for their foolishness actively contributed to their downfall; they caused it themselves.

Judges 9:22–25

As predicted in the story (Judges 9:8–15), Abimelech could not meet the Shechemites’ expectations, so they plotted against him.

Judges 9:22–57

Theological statements in Judges 9:23–24 and 9:56–57 frame the story of the civil conflict that caused the destruction of Abimelech and Shechem. This event fulfilled the curse that Jotham declared (Judges 9:19–20).

Judges 9:1–57

Abimelech's reign marked a shift from the relative peace of the early judges (Judges 3:7–8:35) to the decline of the later years (10:1–16:31).

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Shechem

Events

Usurpation by Abimelech

Related verses

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
Isaiah 19:14
The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.
Isaiah 19:2
“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 2:11–12
For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,
Judges 9:15–16
But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
Judges 9:20
But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
1 Samuel 18:9–10
And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
1 Kings 12:15
So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.
1 Kings 22:22–23
And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
2 Chronicles 18:19–22
And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.
2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

People

Abimelech: Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem

Places

Shechem: City in Canaan, later allotted to Ephraim

Glossary

Abimelech Arumah Baal-Berith Curse, Cursed Demon Judges, Book of Shechem (Place) Spirit of God Warfare

Topics

Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Demons: Sent to Foment Trouble Between Abimelech and the Shechemites God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Judge: Abimelech Treachery of Shechemites Treason of the Shechemites Against Abimelech

Judges 9:23

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