Judges 9:28
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
Judges 9:28 (KJV)
Context
In Judges 9, Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also called Jerubbaal), seizes power by killing seventy of his brothers and gaining support from the leaders of Shechem. Gaal, the son of Ebed, is a newcomer who challenges Abimelech during a festival in Shechem, stirring the people to rebel.
Meaning
Gaal’s questions attack Abimelech’s right to rule. He asks, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?” By calling Abimelech “the son of Jerubbaal,” Gaal reminds the people that Abimelech is not from a royal line but from Gideon’s family. He also mentions Zebul, Abimelech’s officer, to show that the ruler depends on a deputy. Then Gaal urges the people to serve “the men of Hamor the father of Shechem,” appealing to the city’s ancient heritage. He wants them to reject an outsider and return to their ancestral loyalty.
Biblical connections
Shechem’s history reaches back to Hamor, who appears in Genesis 34. That connection gives Gaal’s appeal emotional power. The verse also contrasts with the biblical ideal of leaders called by God, such as Gideon, who refused kingship because the Lord ruled Israel (Judges 8:23). Abimelech’s self-made rule stands in opposition to that pattern.
Application
This passage warns against ambition that seeks power for selfish ends. It also shows how pride and factionalism can tear a community apart. Believers are called to respect godly authority and to examine their own motives, avoiding rebellion that springs from personal pride rather than righteousness.
Reflection
Gaal’s challenge exposes the fragile nature of human rule. True leadership, according to Scripture, comes from God’s calling and serves the people humbly. This verse invites readers to trust God’s sovereign choice and to seek unity rather than division.
