Abimelech, The Man who would Be King Judges 9:1-57The idolatry which had been stealthily creeping into Israel during the latter years of Gideon was now openly professed; Shechem was wholly inhabited by its adherents; at least, idolaters had the ascendency. Abimelech, one of Gideon’s numerous sons, was connected with that place. Ambitious of sovereign power, and having plied successfully the arts of a demagogue with his maternal relatives and friends, he acquired both the influence and money by which he raised himself to a throne. THE CONSPIRACY OF ABIMELECH AT SHECHEM v.1-6.RESPONSE OF JOTHAM TO THE SHECHEMITES v.7-21.REVOLT OF THE SHECHEMITES UNDER GAAL v.22-29.RETALIATION OF ABIMELECH AGAINST GAAL v.30-49.IGNOBLE DEATH OF ABIMELECH AT THEBEZ.v.50-55 FULFILLMENT OF THE CURSE OF JOTHAM.v.56-57