Abimelech (/əˈbɪməˌlɛk/; אֲבִימֶלֶךְ ‘Ǎḇīmeleḵ) was the king of Shechem and a son of biblical judge Gideon. His name can best be interpreted as “my father is king”, claiming the inherited right to rule.

Who was Abimelech to David?

He is called Abimelech (meaning “father of the king”) in the superscription of Psalm 34. It was probably this same king, or his son with the same name, described as ” Achish, the son of Maoch”, to whom David reappeared a second time at the head of a band of 600 warriors.

What does the Bible say about Abimelech?

But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, ” You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.” Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

What is the story of Abimelech?

Abimelech, a son of Gideon and a concubine from Shechem, persuades his mother’s kinsfolk to support his bid to rule. An evil spirit from God stirs up strife between Abimelech and the Shechemites. Gaal arrives in Shechem and encourages revolt. Abimelech takes the city, kills all within, and destroys it.

Who was Abimelech to Abraham in the Bible?

Abraham and Abimelech Genesis 20:1–16 narrates the story of Abraham emigrating to the southern region of Gerar, whose king is named Abimelech. Abraham states that Sarah, his wife, is really his sister, leading Abimelech to try to take Sarah as a wife; however, God intervened before Abimelech touched Sarah.

Who killed Abimelech in the Bible?

The woman of Thebez is a character in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in the Book of Judges. She dropped a millstone from a wall in order to kill Abimelech. Abimlech had laid siege to Thebez and entered the city.

What does the name Abimelech mean biblically?

The name or title Abimelech is formed from Hebrew words for “father” and “king,” and may be interpreted in a variety of ways, including “Father-King”, “My father is king,” or “Father of a king.” In the Pentateuch, it is used as a title for kings in the land of Canaan.

Was Abimelech good or bad?

Abimelech is so bad, it’s kind of cool. “But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal [Gideon] might be avenged and their blood be laid on their brother Abimelech, who killed them” (9:23-24).

What is the meaning of Abimelech name?

Origin:Hebrew. Meaning: the king is my father.

Who is Abimelech and phicol?

Phicol was the chief captain of the army of Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar. The Phicol mentioned in Genesis 26:26 is in relation to an agreement between Isaac and Abimelech, whereas the Phicol mentioned in Genesis 21:22, 32 is in relation to an agreement between Abraham and Abimelech.

How did Abimelech and phicol recognize God’s presence with Abraham?

How did Abimelek and Phicol recognize God’s presence with Abraham? By how God has interacted with him about Sarah and the threat that he and everyone in his household will die if he disobeys God’s instructions (Genesis 20). How do their words to Abraham encourage or challenge you?

Who is Gideon’s mother in the Bible?

Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh and lived in Ephra (Ophrah).

Why did Isaac go to Abimelech?

Soon, a famine struck the land, and Isaac went to Abimelech, King of the Philistines, for help. Isaac kept replying to them that she was his sister, for he feared the men would kill him for her if they knew he was her wife.

Was Abimelech the first king of Israel?

Abimelech is the 71st son of Gideon. Abimelech stands out because he is born of a concubine who lived in Shechem instead of a wife who lived with Gideon (8:31). His rebellion gets destroyed and Abimelech kills all the people of Shechem and salts their town (9:45).