Judges 9 · Grade 5
God Repays Wickedness
Read and Think
Judges 9 shows what happens when someone seizes power without God. Abimelech, son of Gideon's concubine at Shechem, persuaded his mother's relatives to back him. With money from the temple of Baal Berith, he hired reckless men and murdered his seventy brothers on one stone at Ophrah. Jotham, the youngest, hid and survived. Then the men of Shechem made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar.
Standing on Mount Gerizim, Jotham told a parable. The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine each refused the crown, because they would have to leave the good things they produced for God and people. Only the useless bramble agreed, offering shade it could not give and threatening fire. Jotham's point was clear: Abimelech was a bramble king, and if Shechem had not dealt in good faith with Gideon's house, fire would come out of each to devour the other.
After three years God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, so that the violence done to Gideon's sons would come back on them. Gaal led a revolt; Abimelech crushed it, sowed Shechem with salt, and burned its stronghold. At Thebez, a certain woman threw an upper millstone on his head. Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, and the curse of Jotham came on the men of Shechem.
Show What You Know
Who backed Abimelech at first?
Why did the olive, fig, and vine refuse the crown?
What was Jotham's point?
Why did God send an evil spirit between them?
Whose curse came true?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Judges 9 shows what happens when someone seizes power without .
- , the youngest, hid and survived.
- Then the men of made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar.
- Standing on Mount , Jotham told a parable.
- The tree, the fig tree, and the vine each refused the crown, because they would have to leave the good things they produced for God and people.
Think About It
Jotham spoke the truth even though he was alone and in danger. When might God want you to speak up for what is right?
God repaid Abimelech, even though it took three years. How does it help to know God sees injustice even when it seems to win for a while?
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.
- How does God's justice give hope to people who are treated badly?
- What kind of person would you want to follow?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
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.