Judges 9:56

*“Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers.”* (Judges 9:56) This verse emphasizes that the chaos and brutality that Abimelech unleashed did not go unnoticed by the Lord. Abimelech, who lived around the 12th century BC, was the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), one of Israel’s judges. Gideon’s era of leadership took place after the Israelites had entered Canaan, and his service as a judge likely spanned the late 12th century BC. Abimelech betrayed his own family by orchestrating the death of Gideon’s other sons, an act that the verse describes as “wickedness.” Shechem, where Abimelech ruled, was a city centrally located in the region of what is now Samaria, and it was historically known as a place of covenant-making and early Israelite worship (Genesis 12:6-7 NASB-95).

When this Scripture states that God “repaid” Abimelech, it shows the ultimate justice of the Lord. His wicked deeds did not receive immediate condemnation from an earthly perspective, but in time God asserted His sovereign judgment. This concept finds resonance throughout the Bible, pointing to the principle that evil does not go unaddressed (Romans 12:19 NASB-95). While the verse specifically highlights Abimelech’s demise, it also illustrates the broader truth that God’s righteousness stands firm in every generation. In the New Testament era, Jesus Himself taught that God discerns all hearts, warning those who disregard Divine justice (Luke 12:2 NASB-95).

God’s swift and sure response in Judges 9:56 underscores His inability to ignore injustice. Abimelech’s great crime carried grave consequences, reflecting a pattern seen throughout history: acts of cruelty and pride eventually meet divine reckoning (Galatians 6:7 NASB-95).

God asserts His justice in due time.