MPV Commentary

Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, where idolatry had become openly prevalent during Gideon's later years. This city was inhabited by those who worshipped idols, and Abimelech, one of Gideon's many sons, had connections there. He sought power and successfully used his charisma to gain influence and wealth among his maternal relatives and friends.

Abimelech consulted with all the family members of his mother's father's household. This highlights the problems that arise from polygamy, where one son may have interests and connections separate from those of his brothers.

2. Abimelech asked the people of Shechem a false question: "Is it better for you to be ruled by all of Gideon's sons or just one?" He cleverly manipulated them into feeling anxious and jealous about this issue. However, there is no evidence that any of Gideon's other sons wanted to become king.

4. The house of Baal-berith refers either to the temple where this idol was worshipped or the place itself. Baal-berith means "god of the covenant," who was invoked in forming alliances between cities.

Abimelech hired idle and worthless individuals, people with nothing to lose but much to gain from his revolutionary movement. They followed him.

5. Abimelech went to Ophrah and killed his brothers on one stone. This brutal act, where a son of the deceased king seizes power by massacring legitimate competitors, was a common practice in Eastern despotic countries. It is possible that Abimelech sacrificed them on one altar as revenge for their father's destruction of Baal's altar. The Shechemites later aided him in this action.

Abimelech killed seventy people, although two are missing from the total count.

6. All the men of Shechem and those living in the house or temple (the priests of Baal) made Abimelech king by a raised mound near an oak tree. This was done to make the coronation ceremony visible to a large crowd.