Three years into Abimelek's reign God stirred up animosity among the people of Shechem. God did this to avenge the deaths of Gideon's sons. The people began to resent Abimelek as their king. Led by Gaal, son of Ebed, they conspired against the king. Gaal son of Ebed boasted, "If only this people were under my command," then he would get rid of Abimelek.

When word reached Abimelek, he arranged an ambush against Gaal and chased him out of Shechem. He continued attacking the people as they worked in the fields, then he mercilessly set fire to the tower of Shechem, killing a thousand who had taken refuge there. Abimelek tried this in another town, but a woman dropped a large millstone on his head, and he died. God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek and the people of Shechem for the murder of Gideon's sons. It happened as Jotham had said.


Application: Lord, you are a just God. Bless me to always wait on you and trust in your judgment and your salvation.
One Word: God will repay