Abimelech's mother's brothers play a significant role in the narrative of Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), as recorded in the Book of Judges. Abimelech's account is primarily found in Judges 8:31 and Judges 9.

Background

Abimelech was the son of Gideon and his concubine from Shechem (Judges 8:31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as ruler over Shechem and its surrounding areas. His ambition led him to seek support from his maternal family, particularly his mother's brothers, who were influential in Shechem.

Role in Abimelech's Rise to Power

Abimelech approached his mother's brothers and the leaders of Shechem to propose his plan to become their ruler. He argued that it would be better for them to be ruled by one man, himself, rather than by the seventy sons of Gideon. Abimelech's appeal to his maternal relatives was strategic, as he leveraged familial ties to gain political support.

Judges 9:1-3 states: "Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother, 'Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, "Which is better for you: that seventy men—all the sons of Jerubbaal—rule over you, or that one man rule over you?" Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.' And his mother’s brothers spoke all these words on his behalf in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, and they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, 'He is our brother.'"

Support and Consequences

The support of Abimelech's mother's brothers and the leaders of Shechem was crucial in his rise to power. They provided him with seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire reckless adventurers to follow him. This financial and political backing enabled Abimelech to carry out a brutal campaign against his half-brothers, the sons of Gideon, killing seventy of them on a single stone, with only Jotham, the youngest, escaping.

The involvement of Abimelech's mother's brothers in his ascent to power highlights the complex interplay of family loyalty, political ambition, and violence in the narrative. Their support was instrumental in Abimelech's short-lived rule, which ultimately ended in conflict and his own demise.

Significance

The actions of Abimelech's mother's brothers underscore the importance of kinship and alliances in the ancient Near Eastern context. Their decision to support Abimelech reflects the dynamics of power and influence within familial and tribal structures. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of fratricide and betrayal.