Judges 9 — Abimelech’s Conspiracy and Downfall
Judges 10:1-5 — Tola the Judge, Jair the Judge
Judges 10:6-18 — Further Disobedience and Oppression
Judges 11:1-29 — Jephthah the Judge Delivers Israel
Judges 11:30-40 — Jephthah’s Tragic Vow
Judges 12:1-7 — Jephthah’s Conflict with Ephraim and his Death
Judges 12:8-15 — Ibzan the Judge, Elon the Judge, and Abdon the Judge
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Chapter 9 chronicles the treacherous rise and fall of Abimelek, Gideon’s son. He murdered Gideon’s sons (except Jotham, Judges 9:5) and set himself as ruler of the people at Shechem. Even though Jotham proclaimed the injustice, Abimelek “governed Israel three years” (Judges 9:22) before God intervened. Three years. The reign of Abimelek comes to a quick close through treachery and we are left with a sad story of deceit and malcontent. God is neither honored or served during this time.
The sharp contrast between Gideon and Abimelek serves as a reminder that evil will not prevail, though it may rise temporarily. God is ultimately in control. These thoughts are easy to say in hindsight, but not so easily understood during times of oppression. May God give us all discerning minds to see where we are in the process.
So, what actually happened to Jephthah’s daughter? This is a mystery and a topic of much debate. “She was an only child” (Judges 11:34), but Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering” (Judges 11:31). Did Jephthah offer his daughter as a human sacrifice? Or did he give up his potential ancestry by leaving her as a virgin, unmarried, and thus the line of Jephthah is ended?