Describe Abimelech’s ascent to power in Israel.  (9:1-21)  How does it serve as a cautionary tale for us?

Why do you think that the people of Shechem embrace Abimelech?  (9:1-6)

How does Jotham manage to escape from Abimelech?  (9:3-5)  What does Jotham have to say to Abimelech, and to the people of Shechem?  (9:7-20)

Compare and contrast Gideon’s life and actions (Judges 6-8) with that of Abimelech (Judges 9).  What similarities do you see?  What differences?  How can we account for this?  What are we to make of it?

Consider how Gideon lived toward the end of his life (Judges 8), and how the life of his son Abimelech would later unfold (Judges 9).  What can we learn from this?  What does this story tell us about the importance of parenthood, and discipling relationships?

In the end, what happens to the people of Shechem?  (9:22-49)  What happens to Abimelech?  (9:50-54)  How does this comport with Jotham’s words of warning?

Compare and contrast how Gideon dies (8:32) with how Abimelech dies (9:50-54).  What are the implications of this?  What can we learn from it?

How is the book of Judges taking shape so far?  What recurring themes do we see?  What trajectories and storylines do we see?  What applications are there for our lives, as Christians today?

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