Judges 9:23

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Then God {H430} sent {H7971} an evil {H7451} spirit {H7307} between Abimelech {H40} and the men {H1167} of Shechem {H7927}; and the men {H1167} of Shechem {H7927} dealt treacherously {H898} with Abimelech {H40}:

But God sent a spirit of discord between Avimelekh and the men of Sh'khem, so that the men of Sh'khem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh.

God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Commentary

Judges 9:23 marks a pivotal turn in the tragic narrative of Abimelech, highlighting God's active involvement in bringing about justice and retribution.

Context

This verse comes three years into Abimelech's reign as king over Shechem, a position he secured through a brutal act of violence: murdering 69 of his 70 half-brothers (see Judges 9:5). The men of Shechem had supported Abimelech in this bloody coup. Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon and the only survivor of the massacre, had prophesied that fire would come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem, and fire would come out from the men of Shechem and consume Abimelech (refer to Judges 9:19-20). Verse 23 details the beginning of the fulfillment of this curse, as the unholy alliance between Abimelech and Shechem starts to unravel due to divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Sovereignty: God's active hand is seen in sending the "evil spirit," demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs and His commitment to justice. This is not a passive God but one who orchestrates events to repay wickedness.
  • Consequences of Sin: The treachery and violence that marked Abimelech's rise to power, and the complicity of the men of Shechem, now begin to bear bitter fruit. The very alliance built on bloodshed is now being dismantled by internal strife.
  • Treachery and Betrayal: The verse explicitly states that "the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech." The initial act of betrayal (Abimelech against his brothers, Shechem against Gideon's legacy) is now mirrored as the Shechemites turn against their chosen king.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "evil spirit" translates the Hebrew ruach ra'ah (ืจื•ึผื—ึท ืจึธืขึธื”). In this context, it doesn't necessarily imply a demonic entity in the modern sense, but rather a spirit of discord, ill will, or strife that God allowed or sent to sow dissension. It was an instrument of God's judgment, causing mistrust and hostility between parties who had previously been united in their wickedness. This highlights God's sovereign use of various means, even negative ones, to bring about His purposes and execute justice, similar to the spirit that troubled Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14.

Practical Application

Judges 9:23 serves as a powerful reminder that sin, especially that which involves violence, treachery, and the usurpation of rightful authority, carries severe consequences. God's justice may not be immediate, but it is certain. This passage encourages believers to:

  • Trust in God's Justice: Even when evil seems to prosper, God is sovereign and will ultimately bring about justice and retribution for wickedness (see also Romans 12:19).
  • Beware of Ungodly Alliances: Alliances built on unrighteousness or selfish ambition are inherently unstable and destined for collapse.
  • Recognize the Destructive Nature of Strife: Discord and betrayal, whether in personal relationships or broader society, often stem from underlying sin and lead to ruin.

The unraveling of Abimelech and Shechem's relationship ultimately leads to their mutual destruction, fulfilling the prophetic curse and serving as a stark warning against ungodly ambition and complicity in sin (Judges 9:56-57).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 33:1 (6 votes)

    ยถ Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; [and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

  • Isaiah 19:14 (4 votes)

    The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.

  • Isaiah 19:2 (3 votes)

    And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.

  • 1 Samuel 18:9 (2 votes)

    And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

  • 1 Samuel 18:10 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and [there was] a javelin in Saul's hand.

  • 2 Chronicles 18:19 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

  • 2 Chronicles 18:22 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.