Opening: 

For the past few weeks, we have journeyed through the book of Judges, a dark chapter in Israel’s history when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). Today, we focus on Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who lacked his father’s reverence for God. Instead, Abimelech was driven by pride and a lust for power. His rise to authority was marked by violence and betrayal, not righteous leadership. His life stands as a warning of the dangers of unchecked ambition, pursuing power without God's guidance, and the ruin that comes from trusting in human cunning over divine will.

Scripture:

Let us read God’s Word:

Judges 9:1-6, 22-25, 50-57 (ESV)

Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, "Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh." And his mother's relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.

Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.

Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, 'A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, ready to receive the wisdom of Your Word. As we reflect on the story of Abimelech, open our hearts to the lessons of humility, reminding us that true greatness is found in service and obedience to You, not in pride or ambition. Forgive us when we seek our own glory, and help us place our hope in Christ, our risen King, who leads us by love and sacrifice. May Your Spirit guide us today as we learn and grow in Your truth. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Abimelech’s Sinful Ambition (Judges 9:1-6)

This morning, we are drawn into the tragic rise of Abimelech, the son of Gideon. But unlike his father, who led by faith and the grace of God, Abimelech seizes power through the dark, twisted path of ambition and self-exaltation. His story is a solemn warning—a mirror reflecting the dangers of unchecked pride and the deadly consequences of pursuing power at all costs.

Abimelech’s rise begins not with divine calling or righteous intent, but with cunning manipulation. Born of a concubine and lacking status among his brothers, he does not bow in humility before the God of his father. No, instead, he slithers his way into the hearts of the men of Shechem like a serpent whispering his poisonous question: "Is it better for seventy sons to rule over you, or for one—your flesh and blood?" Do you see the subtle deceit? He doesn’t inquire of God. He doesn't seek wisdom or justice. He preys on human weakness, using family ties as a weapon to twist loyalty to serve his selfish ambition.

How often do leaders rise, not through service or humility, but by flattery, deceit, and stirring up division? Yet the Word of God is clear: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). True leadership, in the eyes of God, is not built on the shaky foundation of pride, but on the solid rock of humility.

Sadly, Abimelech’s ambition is fueled further by sin. After winning over the men of Shechem, he takes seventy pieces of silver,  stolen from the temple of Baal-Berith, tainted by idolatry—and he hires ruthless, reckless men. With these mercenaries, he commits an unthinkable atrocity. They slaughter Abimelech’s seventy brothers on a single stone. Seventy innocent lives snuffed out in cold blood, all to quench one man’s insatiable thirst for power. What kind of man builds his throne on the bodies of his own family? Abimelech does not rise through righteousness; he ascends through a river of blood. And this is the warning for us today: ambition that seeks success at any cost will always demand a terrible price. The world may momentarily celebrate such men and women, but their triumph is fleeting, for the seeds of pride, betrayal, and violence always bear bitter fruit.

Abimelech’s story does not end in victory; it ends in destruction. For though sin may seem to prosper for a time, God’s justice never slumbers. Abimelech, in his quest for power, does not secure his reign—he seals his doom.

Abimelech is crowned king at Shechem, a place once sacred in Israel’s history. It was here that Joshua renewed Israel’s covenant with God. But now, this holy ground is desecrated. Shechem, once a place of divine promise, becomes the site of pagan worship and murder. The men of Shechem do not anoint Abimelech in righteousness, but in wickedness. They do not seek God’s will, but their own gain, crowning a murderer.

What a tragic reversal! A place once consecrated to God now bows to the altar of ambition and idolatry. Israel’s unfaithfulness has reached its peak. In abandoning God, they find themselves ruled by a tyrant of their own making. Abimelech’s coronation is not an act of God—it is an abomination. He is not chosen by the Almighty; he is chosen by corrupt men, on ground that was once holy but has now been profaned.

Sadly, leaders are not always chosen for their integrity or service. They are often elevated for their ability to manipulate, deceive, and appeal to the people’s basest desires. They rise to power in the halls of men, but not in the presence of God. They serve their ambition, not the Almighty. Llet us remember: in God’s Kingdom, true leadership is not built on manipulation, violence, or deception. It is built on humility, service, and love for others.

Now, I know I’m preaching this sermon during the final weeks of a contentious U.S. Presidential election. You may be sitting there wondering, "Is Pastor Crowder talking about President Trump? Is Pastor Crowder talking about Vice President Harris?" Let me be clear—I am speaking to anyone who seeks power for their own sake, anywhere, at any time. This warning applies to every person who sets their ambition above their integrity. 

Let’s heed the warning of Jesus Christ: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26, ESV). Make no mistake, Abimelech gained a kingdom but lost his soul. 

Now, it is not my place to sit in judgment over any President or worldly leader. I am just a humble preacher trying to shepherd the flock entrusted to me. Still, I would warn any person who seeks power to remember that they will one day stand before a Holy God and give an account for themselves, and no amount of propaganda or speeches or lies or deceit will be able to sway the all-knowing, all-powerful, and all righteous King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We ought not to fear any president or earthly ruler, but if they are wise they will govern with fear and trembling before God. Again, we should heed the words of Jesus:  “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, ESV).

The Fragility of Ill-Gotten Power (Judges 9:22-25)

For three years, Abimelech ruled a reign built on treachery, deceit, and the blood of the innocent. He sat on a throne propped up by sin, believing his power to be secure. Yet, the wheels of divine justice turn unceasingly. Judges 9:22-25 tells us, “God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech” (Judges 9:23, ESV). Do not miss this detail. The judgment of the Lord falls upon Abimelech, not by the hand of a foreign army but through the very people who once hailed him as king. Those who once sang his praises now plot his downfall. The very hands that crowned him now move to tear him down. 

Power gained without God’s blessing is as fragile as a house of cards. It may stand for a time, but when the winds of judgment blow, it will surely fall. Abimelech’s reign crumbled under the weight of his own sin. The scripture is clear: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, ESV). The higher they ascend in their pride, the greater their fall will be. And so it was with Abimelech. The men of Shechem, who had once conspired with him, now turned against him. They set ambushes, they plundered the land, and in doing so, they became instruments of God’s judgment. The blood of Abimelech’s seventy murdered brothers cried out from the ground, and God had not forgotten.  The wheels of justice may seem to turn slowly, but they turn surely. Sin, though it may prosper for a time, will always reap its bitter harvest. The same people who helped him rise became the very ones to drag him down. This is the fate of those who build their success on manipulation and deceit—they are betrayed by the very ones they once used.

How many leaders, how many powerful figures, build their empires by trampling on those beneath them, manipulating the weak, and discarding those who no longer serve their purposes? But let them beware: power without God is brittle. It cannot stand against the weight of divine justice. 

God’s Word is clear: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7, ESV). Abimelech sowed the seeds of betrayal, murder, and ambition, and now he reaps his punishment. You may build your life, your career, your reputation on pride and ambition. You may rise to the applause of the world. But know this: it will not last. The world may applaud for a season, but God will not be mocked. The day of reckoning will come, and the weight of sin will crush those who stand against the Lord. Power gained by sinful means will crumble, and those who sow iniquity will surely reap judgment.

The Inevitable Downfall of the Proud (Judges 9:50-57)

In Judges 9:50-57, we find Abimelech nearing the end of his violent and oppressive reign. His hunger for power drives him to attack the city of Thebez, seeking to expand his control even further. With his army behind him, he assaults the city walls. Fearing for their lives, the people retreat to a tower for safety. But Abimelech, blinded by ambition, presses forward—until, in a dramatic turn of events, an unnamed woman drops a millstone from above, fatally wounding him.

What a fitting end for such a man! Abimelech, who had once killed his seventy brothers on a single stone to gain power, is now brought down by a stone thrown from a woman’s hand. The same kind of object that helped him rise to power now causes his fall. How empty are the ambitions of the proud! Abimelech sought greatness at any cost, trying to make a name for himself. Yet, in the end, his legacy is not one of glory, but of shame. Even though he begged his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid dying at the hands of a woman, he could not escape the disgrace. 

What lesson can we learn from this? It’s a clear example of how God deals with the proud. Abimelech tried to lift himself up, but God had other plans. He would not let such arrogance go unpunished. “He has brought down the mighty from their thrones” (Luke 1:52, ESV), and He continues to do so. How many today, like Abimelech, seek greatness by oppressing others, driven by ambition without godliness or mercy? But let them take warning: the higher they climb on the backs of the oppressed, the harder they will fall when God's judgment arrives.

The final verses of this passage reveal God’s justice in full. “God repaid Abimelech for the evil that he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers” (Judges 9:56, ESV). Abimelech’s crimes did not go unnoticed by God, and neither did the treachery of the men of Shechem. They, too, received their punishment for helping him in his wickedness. This is the fulfillment of divine justice—a justice that may seem delayed, but never denied.

Conclusion: 

As we conclude, let us reflect on these key gospel truths and where our hope truly lies. When we chase after our own glory and seek our own way instead of submitting to God’s will, we walk a path that leads to destruction. The world may measure greatness by power and self-exaltation, but true leadership, according to Scripture, is found in humility, self-sacrifice, and obedience to God. Jesus Himself taught us that if we want to be truly great, we must first be willing to serve. Pride always leads to a fall, but humility opens the door to receiving God’s grace.

So, where is our hope? It does not rest in the White House or any seat of earthly power. Our hope is in the risen King, Jesus Christ. Though He is the eternal King of Kings, He humbled Himself by taking on human flesh, becoming a servant, and willingly going to the cross for our salvation. His leadership was not marked by the kind of power the world celebrates but by love, sacrifice, and a willingness to lay down His life. If Christ, who had every right to rule in majesty and glory, chose the path of humility and suffering, then how can we cling to our pride? Let us seek not our own honor but the glory of God, just as Christ did.

And here is the good news: even if we have pursued success through pride or selfish ambition, there is grace at the foot of the cross. The cross of Christ offers forgiveness, redemption, and new life. No matter how far we have strayed, we can repent and turn to Jesus, who is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His grace is more than enough to redeem us, restore us, and guide us onto the path of true righteousness, peace, and lasting joy. 

So come, lay down your pride and your striving at the feet of our Savior. Embrace the life of humble service that Christ calls us to, knowing that our hope is not in earthly rulers, but in our risen King who reigns forever.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You, humbled by the story of Abimelech and the warning it provides. We confess that we, too, can be tempted by pride, ambition, and the pursuit of our own glory. Forgive us, Lord, when we seek power and recognition above obedience to You. Help us to remember that true greatness is found not in self-exaltation, but in humility, service, and submission to Your will.

Lord, we acknowledge that our hope does not rest in the leaders of this world, the power of nations, or the seats of government. Our hope is in Christ alone, the King of Kings, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. We thank You, Jesus, for the example of true leadership You set—leadership marked by love, sacrifice, and a willingness to lay down everything for the sake of others. Help us to follow in Your footsteps and to live as servants in Your Kingdom.

Father, we pray for those who have pursued their ambitions at the cost of integrity. May they find grace and redemption at the foot of the cross. We thank You for Your promise that no matter how far we have wandered, we can always return to You and receive forgiveness, restoration, and new life. Guide us, Lord, onto the path of righteousness, that we might walk in humility and reflect the character of Christ in all that we do.

As we leave this place, remind us that Your justice is sure, and Your grace is boundless. Teach us to lay down our pride and to trust in You alone. May we build our lives not on the shifting sands of worldly power, but on the solid rock of our risen Savior, who reigns forever. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.