Judges 9 · Grade 4
A King Who Took Power
Read and Think
Gideon had refused to be king, but his son Abimelech wanted the throne. He reminded the men of Shechem that he was their own flesh and bone. They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal Berith, and he killed his seventy brothers on one stone. Only Jotham escaped.
From Mount Gerizim, Jotham told a parable. The trees asked the olive, the fig, and the vine to reign, but each refused to leave its useful work. The bramble accepted, inviting the trees into its shade and threatening fire. Jotham said if Shechem had acted in truth, let them rejoice; if not, let fire destroy both Abimelech and Shechem.
Three years later, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and Shechem. Gaal stirred up a revolt, and Abimelech destroyed Shechem and burned its tower. At Thebez, a woman threw an upper millstone on his head, and he died. God repaid Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and Jotham's curse came true.
Show What You Know
Where did the silver for Abimelech come from?
Why did the good trees refuse to reign?
What did Jotham say would happen if Shechem had not acted in truth?
How did Abimelech die?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- He reminded the men of that he was their own flesh and bone.
- Only escaped.
- From Mount , Jotham told a parable.
- The trees asked the , the fig, and the vine to reign, but each refused to leave its useful work.
- The accepted, inviting the trees into its shade and threatening fire.
Think About It
The bramble offered shade it could not really give. Why should we be careful about leaders who promise big things?
Abimelech grabbed power by hurting others. What is the difference between leading and grabbing power?
Memory Verse
“The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’”
Judges 9:8 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for seeing what is right and wrong. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why did the men of Shechem follow Abimelech?
- What does this chapter teach about using money and power?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.