JUDGES 9
Gideon was a leader called of God, but Abimelech appointed himself and murdered his own brothers to become the leader. Absalom and Adonijah would make this mistake and pay for it dearly (2 Sam. 15;
Jotham’s parable reveals that there is a price to pay for true leadership. Others had paid the price for Abimelech to rule, but he had sacrificed nothing himself. A true leader must often sacrifice richness (oil), sweetness, and joyfulness to serve the people. But if good men and women will not pay the price and lead, we have to settle for the bramble!
Abimelech’s sin caught up with him, but he certainly did a lot of damage to his family and his people (Ps. 34:21;