Judges 9:1

Judges 9:1 says, And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, went Shechem to his mother's brethren and talked with all of them.  Shechem was in the land of the tribe of Ephraim, and there is no indication that the elders there felt that God had chosen Abimelech to be the leader of Israel until he started promoting the idea himself.  There definitely was no record of God calling him to do so.  We need to be careful about following those who are promoting themselves today as the only way to be successful in following God.  Verse two adds, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.  Abimelech asked the people of Shechem to consider whether it was better for seventy sons of Gideon to reign over them, or one, Abimelech himself, who was of their tribe, alone to reign over them.  Of course, Gideon himself had not said any of his sons were going to be in power over Israel after he died, and neither had God.  We may be called on at times to make a choice that seems sensible in worldly terms, but is not something that God has called on us to make a decision about.  Verse three continues, And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.  The men of Shechem all spoke of Abimelech and asked the questions he had asked, and decided it was better to follow Abimelech, because he was of their tribe.  They did not consult God, even though they were a part of His chosen people.  We as followers of Christ should never make decisions in life based on what seems best for us without first talking to God about it.  If we do make decisions without praying about it, we will often make the wrong one.  Verse four states, And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.  The people of Shechem gave Abimelech money from the public treasury, which he used to hire vain and light men, or those willing to do anything for money, to help him in establishing himself as the ruler of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this was money given to the idol that they worshipped.  People today, even those who profess to be God's people, will often offer material support to someone who appears to be the best person to benefit them personally, without considering what God would have them do.  Verse five adds, And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.  Abimelech went to Ophrah and killed the seventy sons of Gideon, except for Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself.  Verse six continues,  And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.  The men of Shechem gathered with the men of Millo and made Abimelech king.  Of course, they were only a part of the entire nation of Israel, but they were making Abimelech king.  We cannot make decisions that will affect other Christians today without first praying and then discussing things with them if possible.