If You Have Made Abimelech King - Judges 9:16

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem, “Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign you over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come you, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come you, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham said, “if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king”  where we read,

Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, 

and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

The verse reads, “Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, …” The writer began with the words, “now therefore” which means “wherefore, then and on this account”, “if you have done truly and sincerely” which means “whether and in case you, the people of Shechem, have performed and produced in a firm, faithful, reliable and sure manner as well as complete, whole, entire and sound way”, “in that you have made Abimelech king” or “in that you, the men of Shechem, have set, put and established Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine as the royal ruler and leader”. The writer shared how “Jotham” told the men of “Shechem” to consider whether they produced in a reliable, sure and sound manner when they established “Abimelech” as their royal ruler. 

The verse goes on to say, “and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;” The writer continued with the words “and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal” which means “and whether and in case you, the people of Shechem, have made, fashioned and accomplished by Jerubbaal whose name means ‘let Baal contend’ and was the name given to Gideon by his father when he destroyed the altar of Baal” “and his house” which means “and his, Jerubbaal’s, habitation, abode, dwelling place and family”, “and have done unto him” or “and have performed and produces toward him, Jerubbaal” “according to the deserving of his hands” which means “in keeping with the recompense and benefit pertaining to his, Jerubbaal’s, power, might and strength”. The writer shared how “Jotham” also wondered whether the people of “Shechem” bargained and made an agreement with “Jerubbaal” and his family and in keeping with the benefit they enjoyed by the  power and might he demonstrated on behalf of them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” challenged the men of “Shechem” with the idea that they sincerely chose “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler, and that they also treated “Jerubbaal’s” home and family in a good and pleasant manner and toward the way that he deserved. We know they did not, and we shall see what happens with “Jotham, Abimelech and the men of “Shechem” in our next verses, but for now, let us consider that Jehovah God knew all these people were involved, and He was working out His plan for them and the people of Israel. God knows us as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and filled with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to serve under His authority for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:!3; Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:10)

Next time we learn how Jotham says, “my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".