Judges 9:3

And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He [is] our brother.

And his mother's {H517} brethren {H251} spake {H1696} of him in the ears {H241} of all the men {H1167} of Shechem {H7927} all these words {H1697}: and their hearts {H3820} inclined {H5186} to follow {H310} Abimelech {H40}; for they said {H559}, He is our brother {H251}.

His mother's brothers spoke to all the men of Sh'khem and said all this about him, so that they followed their feelings and supported Avimelekh, arguing, "After all, he's our brother."

And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”

And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.

Commentary

Judges 9:3 marks a pivotal moment in Abimelech's rise to power, illustrating how familial ties were leveraged for political gain in ancient Israel. The verse describes Abimelech's maternal relatives in Shechem speaking on his behalf to the city's inhabitants, emphasizing his kinship: "He is our brother." This appeal to shared lineage proved highly effective, swaying the hearts of the men of Shechem to support his ambition.

Context

This verse is set immediately after the death of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), a prominent judge who had refused to rule as king over Israel, stating that the Lord alone should rule (Judges 8:23). Gideon had seventy legitimate sons, but Abimelech was born to a concubine from Shechem (Judges 8:31). Sensing an opportunity to seize power, Abimelech approaches his mother's family in Shechem, seeking their support to become king, arguing that it would be better for one man (himself) to rule than all seventy of Gideon's sons. This verse details the successful initial phase of his manipulative campaign.

Key Themes

  • Familial Loyalty and Manipulation: The core of the verse lies in the phrase "He is our brother." In ancient Near Eastern societies, kinship (Hebrew: 'ach, אָח) implied strong obligations and solidarity. Abimelech’s relatives skillfully exploited this deeply ingrained cultural value, appealing to tribal and family loyalty to secure political backing.
  • Ambition and Usurpation: Abimelech's actions demonstrate unbridled ambition. Rather than accepting the established order or God's intended leadership, he orchestrates a violent seizure of power, leading to the massacre of his half-brothers (Judges 9:5).
  • The Dangers of Misplaced Trust: The men of Shechem, swayed by rhetoric and familial appeal, make a choice based on convenience and perceived stability rather than justice or divine guidance. This decision ultimately leads to their own destruction at Abimelech's hand (Judges 9:45).

Linguistic Insight

The repeated emphasis on "brother" (Hebrew: 'ach, אָח) is crucial. It signifies not just a biological relationship but a bond of shared identity, destiny, and mutual obligation within the tribal or clan structure. By highlighting this, Abimelech's relatives framed his bid for power as a natural and beneficial extension of their own community, making it difficult for the Shechemites to refuse without appearing disloyal to their own kin.

Practical Application

Judges 9:3 serves as a timeless cautionary tale about the power of rhetoric and the dangers of allowing personal connections or emotional appeals to override wisdom and discernment in leadership choices. It reminds us to critically evaluate motives and character, especially when faced with appeals to loyalty or convenience. The tragic events that unfold later in Judges 9 underscore the profound consequences of choosing leaders based on flawed criteria, rather than on integrity, competence, and a commitment to justice and truth.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 29:15

    ¶ And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]?

  • Psalms 10:3

    For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.

  • Proverbs 1:11

    If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

  • Proverbs 1:14

    Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: