Judges 9:41

*“But Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.”* (v.41) This verse describes a pivotal moment in the conflict between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. Shechem was an ancient city located in the hill country of Ephraim, in the central region of Canaan, northwest of the Dead Sea and nearly 30 miles north of Jerusalem. At this point in Israel’s history, around the mid-12th century BC, Abimelech—who was the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal)—sought to consolidate his power after having been made king by the men of Shechem (Judges 9:22, NASB-95). Gaal had risen against Abimelech, seeking to disrupt his rule, but Zebul, who served as the ruler or governor of Shechem under Abimelech’s authority, outmaneuvered Gaal and drove him and his followers out of the city.

*“But Abimelech stayed in Arumah…”* (v.41) highlights that the self-proclaimed king did not immediately march triumphantly into Shechem, but rather chose to remain in a strategic outpost known as Arumah. Though little is definitively known of this site in terms of its exact location, many scholars believe it was in close proximity to Shechem, providing a convenient vantage point for Abimelech to monitor the unfolding events. Abimelech’s caution at Arumah reveals how tenuous his hold on the region was and how he relied on his loyal allies, such as Zebul, to maintain control over the populace. Biblically, this can be seen as another example of a leader trying to govern without full submission to God, reminiscent of how future leaders in Israel would struggle with reliance upon human strategies (James 4:13-15, NASB-95).

*“…and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.”* (v.41) underscores the sudden turn of events in which Zebul asserted authority to dispel the threat from within. Gaal, who had attempted to rally the residents of Shechem against Abimelech (Judges 9:28-29, NASB-95), was no longer able to challenge Abimelech’s rule. This scenario can foreshadow how Christ, in the New Testament, would address the motives of the heart, challenging any self-serving ambition among His followers (Mark 9:33-35, NASB-95). In contrast to Abimelech’s manipulation and violent tactics, Jesus would later model servant leadership, teaching that true governance is rooted in humility and godly devotion (Mark 10:42-45, NASB-95).

This verse demonstrates how God sometimes allows human striving for power to carry out its course, ultimately bringing about justice according to His design.