The Bramble King

Abimelech uses his mother's family to gain support. He takes seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, hires wicked men, and kills his brothers. Only Jotham escapes. From Mount Gerizim, Jotham tells a story about trees looking for a king. The useful trees refuse, but the worthless thornbush accepts. Three years later, Abimelech and the men of Shechem turn against each other. A woman finally kills Abimelech by dropping a millstone on his head.

• The seed of chapter 9 was planted in chapter 8. Abimelech's name and ambition came from his father's compromise.
• Money from an idol's temple pays for his rise to power. He hires wicked men to follow him. Pay attention to who supports a leader and why.
• All seventy brothers are killed on one stone. It looks like a planned ceremony, not only a fight for power.
• Jotham's fable: the fruitful trees would not leave their fruit for a position. Only the useless plant wants the office.
• 'God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem' (v. 23). God's judgment on power taken without God can be to let it consume itself.
• Abimelech's last act is to demand that his armorbearer kill him so a woman won't get credit. He dies managing his image.

1. 01Jotham's fable says the fruitful decline the throne. What does that suggest about anyone — including you — who is eager for position?
2. 02Abimelech gained power through family ties, money, and violence, not from God. Where does your influence truly come from?
3. 03What would you do if you were passed over for a role you believed you deserved? Answer from a real memory, not a made-up answer.
4. 04Who funds and who follows your ministry, and would you be comfortable if that list were read out loud?
5. 05Abimelech died protecting his reputation. What reputation are you protecting, and what has it already cost you in honesty?
6. 06God used a broken relationship to bring judgment. Could one of your conflicts be exposing sin in you rather than just being an attack from Satan?
7. 07Gideon's private ephod produced Abimelech's public slaughter. Trace one private compromise of yours forward twenty years. What does it become?

• James 3:14-16

  Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. The engine of Judges 9.

• Mark 10:42-45

  Abimelech kills to become great. Jesus says the truly great person serves others and gives his life.

• 1 Samuel 8:10-18

  Israel will ask for a king again; Samuel's warning is a longer version of Jotham's fable.

• Galatians 6:7-8

  Whatsoever a man soweth. Chapter 9 is chapter 8's harvest.

• 3 John 9-10

  Diotrephes loves being first. He shows the same proud desire for power inside the church.

Ambition is the sin that hides best inside a calling. Ask the other two men tonight to tell you honestly where they see ambition in you. Do not defend your answer for five full minutes.

A hurting man may chase a leadership title instead of dealing with his wounds. Love him and help him heal, but do not give him authority before he is ready.

Repent of ambition by name. Ask God to make you fruitful rather than prominent. Pray for any man near you who is grasping.