Background:
Abimelech, a son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), emerges as a significant figure in the Book of Judges. His account is primarily found in Judges 9. Abimelech's mother was a concubine from Shechem, making him a half-Israelite and half-Canaanite. After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as a ruler over Israel, specifically targeting the city of Shechem, where he had familial ties.

The Proposal:
Abimelech's proposal to the people of Shechem is a pivotal moment in his quest for power. He approached the leaders of Shechem with a strategic plan to become their ruler. His proposal is recorded in Judges 9:1-3:

"Then Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family, '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 when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words on his behalf in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, 'He is our brother.'"

Motivation and Strategy:
Abimelech's proposal was driven by his ambition to consolidate power and establish a monarchy, contrasting with the tribal confederation that characterized Israel at the time. By appealing to his kinship ties with the Shechemites, Abimelech leveraged familial loyalty and local politics to gain support. His argument was pragmatic: it was more advantageous for the people of Shechem to be ruled by one of their own rather than by the seventy sons of Gideon, who might not have the same vested interest in the city.

Outcome:
The leaders of Shechem were persuaded by Abimelech's proposal, and they provided him with seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used this silver to hire reckless adventurers who became his followers. With their support, he went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone, sparing only the youngest, Jotham, who hid himself.

Significance:
Abimelech's proposal and subsequent actions highlight the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the quest for power. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the moral complexities of leadership. The narrative also reflects the political and social dynamics of ancient Israel, where tribal affiliations and local loyalties played crucial roles in governance and conflict.