“Now then, if you have acted with honesty and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved— for my father fought for you, and risked his life and saved you from the hand of Midian; but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— so if you have acted with honesty and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, be joyful about Abimelech, and may he also be joyful about you. But if not, may fire come out of Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out of the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” (vv. 16-20)
God blessed Gideon with many things. But Gideon made the golden ephod. Whether he intended it or not, it eventually led the people into idolatry. Although he had many sons, they were all killed by Abimelech and the people of Shechem. What people considered Gideon’s success was gone in a single day.
Interestingly, Abimelech was born to a slave woman. This is not about social hierarchy. We know very well what slavery represents in the Bible.
But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. (Galatians 4:23)
Many people seek to be kings or to become the most powerful person in their community. Whether in their household, workplace, or nation, most people want to have power over others. This is the life of a slave. But the true King, Jesus, did not seek to become a king on earth.
Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” So Jesus, aware that they intended to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself, alone. (John 6:14-15)
Saints do not seek to become kings. But those who are evil seek power and authority over others. Saints look forward to the Kingdom of God and worship only one King. They do not dream of becoming rulers over others. If they are given authority and power over others, they use their position to help the weak and the poor rather than to exalt themselves.
Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and raised his voice and called out. And he said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. Once the trees went to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my fatness with which God and mankind are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I give up my new wine, which cheers God and mankind, and go to wave over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out of the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ (vv. 7-15)
People want to serve a human king just as much as they want to become a king themselves. They appoint a ruler they like, but they can quickly turn against him when they become dissatisfied. They remove one ruler and appoint another. This has been a recurring pattern throughout human history on earth.
Those who gain power often try to hold on to it, sometimes committing unjust and evil acts to protect their position. In the end, both those who seek power and those who place their trust in earthly rulers face destruction.
So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. And he will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his high officials and his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.” Yet the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, so that we also may be like all the nations, and our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:10-20)
If there is an evil ruler, raise your voice and speak out against what is evil. You may be persecuted for standing up for what is right, but do not lose hope. Wait patiently for God’s deliverance and trust in His providence.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I If there is an evil ruler, raise your voice and speak out against what is evil. You may be persecuted for standing up for what is right, but do not lose hope. Wait patiently for God’s deliverance and trust in His providence.WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
And remember that the Lord is just and righteous. He is not a human being born with blemishes. We, who have been given the same Spirit, know and understand Him. He will punish those who deserve punishment on the Last Day. His Kingdom will be everlasting. There will be no injustice or unrighteousness in His Kingdom.
We are given suffering so that we eagerly look forward to the true King and the coming of His Kingdom.
A bent reed He will not break off And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. (Isaiah 42:3)
