Judges 9:56

Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:

Judges 9:56 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes the account of Abimelech, a son of Gideon, who was also called Jerubbaal. After Gideon died, Abimelech wanted to rule Israel. To remove any rival, he killed his seventy brothers, leaving only Jotham alive. Jotham then spoke a curse against Abimelech and the men of Shechem who helped him.

The immediate setting is Abimelech’s death. During an attack on the city of Thebez, a woman dropped a millstone on his head and cracked his skull. To avoid the shame of being killed by a woman, Abimelech asked his armor-bearer to draw his sword and kill him. After he died, the men of Israel went home, and God’s judgment on him was complete.

Meaning

The verse says that God “rendered” Abimelech’s wickedness, meaning God repaid him for the evil he had done. Abimelech murdered his brothers, and God brought retribution upon him. The phrase “unto his father” shows that Abimelech’s crime was not only against his brothers but also against his father’s house, bringing shame and harm to the whole family.

This verse teaches that God is the righteous judge. He sees wickedness and holds people accountable for their actions, even when human justice fails. The shedding of innocent blood requires a just response, and God’s judgment is certain and righteous.

Biblical connections

The curse of Jotham in Judges 9:20 came upon Abimelech and the men of Shechem. This verse shows that God fulfilled that curse. The principle of divine justice also appears in Genesis 9:6, where God declares that whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed. Here, God carries out that justice through the events of Abimelech’s death.

Application

This account warns against seeking power through violence and treachery. Abimelech’s selfish ambition led him to harm others, and God repaid him for it. Believers are called to pursue integrity, humility, and respect for others, trusting God’s justice rather than using immoral methods to reach their goals.

God’s justice may work through natural events and human choices, but it is ultimately His doing. This truth encourages readers to rely on God’s sovereignty and to follow His righteous ways, knowing that He will deal justly with all wickedness.

Reflection

This verse is a sobering reminder that unrepentant wickedness will not escape God’s notice. It calls readers to examine their own ambitions and motives, and to turn from any path that harms others for personal gain. Trust in God’s justice brings peace, because He alone repays evil rightly.