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Judges · Men's Leadership Study

Week 9: The Bramble King

Judges 9

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Read Together

Judges 9

Read the whole chapter aloud before discussing the handout.

Hidden in the Text

Weekly Devotional

Jotham tells his story from Mount Gerizim, a mountain connected with God's blessing. Yet he is announcing a curse caused by betrayal. In the story, the olive tree, fig tree, and vine refuse to become king because they do not want to leave their useful work. Only the thornbush wants the throne, even though it gives no fruit and almost no shade. Men who are busy serving often do not chase titles. Empty ambition needs a title to feel important. Ask God to make you useful, not important.

Discuss Honestly

Hard Questions

  1. 01

    Jotham's fable says the fruitful decline the throne. What does that suggest about anyone — including you — who is eager for position?

  2. 02

    Abimelech gained power through family ties, money, and violence, not from God. Where does your influence truly come from?

  3. 03

    What 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. 04

    Who funds and who follows your ministry, and would you be comfortable if that list were read out loud?

  5. 05

    Abimelech died protecting his reputation. What reputation are you protecting, and what has it already cost you in honesty?

  6. 06

    God 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. 07

    Gideon's private ephod produced Abimelech's public slaughter. Trace one private compromise of yours forward twenty years. What does it become?

Look Them Up

Cross-References

  • 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.