10 Interesting Facts About Abimelek in the Bible

Abimelek (sometimes spelled Abimelech) is a complex and controversial figure in the Bible. His story appears in the book of Judges and offers lessons about pride, ambition, and consequences. While his name means "My father is king," his actions were anything but godly.

Below are 10 interesting facts about Abimelek, supported by Scripture.

1. Abimelek Was the Son of Gideon and a Concubine

Abimelek was not born from one of Gideon’s wives, but from a concubine in Shechem.

Judges 8:31 – "His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelek."

2. He Murdered His Seventy Brothers to Become King

To take the throne, Abimelek killed all his half-brothers—Gideon's other sons.

Judges 9:5 – "He went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone."

Only one brother, Jotham, escaped.

3. Abimelek Declared Himself King at Shechem

After the massacre, the leaders of Shechem made Abimelek king.

Judges 9:6 – "And all the leaders of Shechem came together... and they went and made Abimelek king."

4. His Kingship Was Not Appointed by God

Unlike other judges like Gideon or Samson, Abimelek was not called by God. His kingship came through ambition and violence.

Judges 9:22–23 – "Abimelek ruled over Israel three years. Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem..."

5. Jotham Cursed Abimelek Through a Parable

After escaping death, Jotham—Abimelek’s surviving brother—spoke a parable from Mount Gerizim warning the people of Shechem.

Judges 9:15 – "The bramble said to the trees, 'If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade...'"

Judges 9:20 – "But if not, let fire come out from Abimelek and devour the leaders of Shechem!"

6. Abimelek's Rule Lasted Only Three Years

His reign was short-lived. After three years, internal conflict began to break out, just as Jotham had warned.

Judges 9:22 – "Abimelek ruled over Israel three years."

7. God Caused Division Between Abimelek and Shechem

The people who once supported Abimelek turned against him.

Judges 9:23 – "Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelek."

8. Shechem Was Destroyed as a Result

Abimelek destroyed Shechem in a brutal campaign after its leaders rebelled.

Judges 9:45 – "Abimelek fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt."

9. A Woman Crushed His Skull with a Millstone

While attacking Thebez, Abimelek was fatally wounded by a woman who dropped a millstone from a tower.

Judges 9:53 – "And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelek’s head and crushed his skull."

10. He Asked His Armor-Bearer to Kill Him

To avoid the disgrace of dying by a woman’s hand, Abimelek ordered his servant to finish him off.

Judges 9:54 – "Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, 'Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’'"

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