Judges 9:26

In this passage, the scripture recounts that *“Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his relatives, and crossed over into Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him”* (v.26). This unfolding event takes place not long after Abimelech, a son of Gideon (who was active around 1200 BC), established himself as king of Shechem through questionable means. Gaal’s sudden arrival is significant because it signals growing discontent within Shechem toward Abimelech’s rule, setting in motion the seeds of rebellion. Shechem itself is a city with a rich biblical history located in the central region of the ancient land of Canaan. Its placement amid mountainous terrain gave it strategic and economic importance, often making it a center of power struggles and alliances. By putting their trust in Gaal, the men of Shechem demonstrated that political loyalties were shifting, possibly out of fear or a sense of injustice over Abimelech’s violent actions earlier in Judges 9.

The text emphasizes *“Gaal the son of Ebed”* entering with his relatives (v.26), suggesting that family ties or clan alliances could motivate people in that era to rally around a new leader. In ancient Israelite society, familial connections carried political weight; armies and alliances were frequently formed based on common ancestry or tribal identity. Gaal’s lineage is not a longstanding highlight in scripture, but he emerges here at a crucial moment in the history of Israel’s early government structure, pointing to the period when tribal confederations were vulnerable to strong, charismatic (though often ruthless) leaders like Abimelech. The men of Shechem appear to be seeking security or a path to restore order under Gaal’s leadership, leaving little doubt that conflict with Abimelech is brewing.

Moreover, the idea of misplaced trust can be gleaned from *“the men of Shechem put their trust in him”* (v.26). Conflicts of human authority and allegiance appear throughout the Bible. Centuries later, the New Testament would teach the importance of placing ultimate trust in God rather than man (Matthew 10:28 NASB-95). Here, the men of Shechem shift their alliance out of frustration, highlighting how human relationships and political power vacillate over time. This verse thus illustrates the precarious nature of earthly alliances and sets the stage for the confrontation that follows in Judges 9.

Political swings and family alliances may help or harm society depending on their alignment with God’s purposes.