In the last chapter, we read about Gideon (aka Jerubbaal) siring seventy offspring, owing to his
many wives. That figure doesn’t include Abimelech, born of Gideon’s concubine in Shechem –
also explicit in Judges 8.
“And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's
brethren, and spoke with them, and with all the family of the house of his
mother's father, saying: Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem:
Which is better for you, that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are threescore and
ten persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you? Remember also that I am
your bone and your flesh.”
No sooner had Gideon been buried than a full-blown power struggle erupted. Who would lead
the Hebrews? Abimelech coveted the crown. Things got messy. As for his talking point, he
reminded the men of Shechem that he was their flesh and blood and thus a logical candidate
for them to rally behind.
Abimelech’s pitch worked. “And his mother's brethren spoke 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.” They did more than stump for Abimelech; they opened their wallets to him, in what
amounted to an insidious slay-for-pay scheme, Abravanel writes. “And they gave him
threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired
vain and lowbrows, who followed him.” One piece of silver per Gideon’s sons’ heads.
“And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal,
being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal
was left; for he hid himself.” Shortly thereafter, news of the internecine massacre spread like
wildfire.
The sole remaining son of Gideon heard about Abimelech’s murder spree, one that wiped out
the family. “And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim,
and lifted up his voice, and cried and said unto them: Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem,
that God may hearken unto you.”
Jotham’s speech figures prominently in the balance of our chapter. Abravanel breaks it down,
helping us make sense of Jotham’s parable featuring a figurative conversation between trees in
search of a monarch. “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said
unto the olive-tree: Reign you over us.” After the olive tree declined the crown, an offer was
extended to the fig tree. For different reasons than the olive tree, the fig tree refused kingship
over the other trees.
Continuing his allegory, Jotham moves to the vine. Predictably enough, the vine nods no to the
crown, after providing its rationale. The trees’ search comes to a close, because one of its kind
assented. “Then said all the trees unto the bramble: Come you, and reign over us. And the
bramble said unto the trees: If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge
in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.”
Here is how Abravanel interprets Jotham’s woody riddle, really a discourse on leadership: Who
fits to rule? Family or stock matters. Olive trees symbolize pedigree. Thus, men who hail from
noble lineage make a logical choice to lead society. If, however, such a man cannot be found, at
least he should be a man of means. Since he is financially independent, he won’t be bought off.
If a land has neither noble men of birth nor rich men, still, there is a category of character apt to
rule: A man who exudes warmth and caring. A winning or pleasing personality.
Of course, Jotham’s speech took direct aim at the people of Shechem’s choice of leaders, as
Abimelech hadn’t possessed pedigree, affluence, or affability. Heartless best sums up the sixth
judge of the Hebrews. Jotham didn’t mince words. “Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and
uprightly, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and
his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands— for my father
fought for you, and adventured his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian…”
Abimelech had slain seventy half-brothers. As for punishment, Jotham slapped a curse on
Abimelech and his enablers from Shechem. It proved prescient. “If you then have dealt truly
and uprightly with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let
him also rejoice in you. And all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite upon
their heads; and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.”
*Abravanel learns that Abimelech was not truly a Hebrew judge, as per the verse: “And
Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.” Ruler yes; judge no.