Old Testament
Judges 9:18
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But today you've turned on my father's family. You slaughtered his 70 sons on a single stone and made Abimelech — the son of his slave woman — king over Shechem, just because he's your relative.
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And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
What Judges 9:18 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, confronts the people of Shechem for their betrayal. He accuses them of killing his seventy brothers, who were Gideon's legitimate heirs, and making Abimelech, the son of a concubine, their king. This act of violence and favoritism highlights the moral corruption and disloyalty of the Shechemites. Jotham's words reveal the gravity of their actions, as they have chosen a leader based on family ties rather than merit or righteousness. The mention of the 'single stone' symbolizes the brutal and collective nature of the murder, emphasizing the severity of their betrayal against Gideon's family. Jotham's speech serves as a warning about the consequences of such treachery and the importance of loyalty and justice in leadership.
How to apply Judges 9:18 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of integrity and loyalty in our relationships and communities. We should be cautious about our choices in leadership and ensure that they are based on righteousness rather than personal connections or favoritism. Upholding justice is crucial.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
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Keep studying Judges 9:18
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Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 9:18 mean?
Judges 9:18 shows Jotham accusing the people of Shechem of betraying his father's family by killing his seventy brothers and choosing Abimelech, a son of a concubine, as their king. This highlights themes of betrayal and the consequences of choosing leaders based on personal connections rather than merit.
What is the significance of the 'single stone' in Judges 9:18?
The 'single stone' in Judges 9:18 symbolizes the brutal and collective nature of the murder of Jotham's brothers. It emphasizes the severity of the betrayal by the Shechemites against Gideon's family.
What themes are present in Judges 9:18?
Judges 9:18 presents themes of betrayal, violence, leadership, family loyalty, justice, and corruption. It illustrates the moral decay in the choice of leadership based on favoritism.
How does Judges 9:18 relate to leadership choices?
Judges 9:18 warns against making leadership choices based on personal relationships or favoritism. It stresses the importance of integrity and justice in selecting leaders for the community.
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