The Men of Abimelech refer to the group of individuals who supported and followed Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), in his quest for power and kingship over Shechem and the surrounding region. This narrative is primarily found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 9.

Background and Rise to Power

Abimelech was one of the seventy sons of Gideon, born to a concubine in Shechem. After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as ruler, leveraging his maternal connections in Shechem. He appealed to the leaders of Shechem, arguing that it would be better for them to be ruled by one man, himself, rather than by the seventy sons of Gideon. The leaders of Shechem were persuaded by Abimelech's argument and provided him with seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. With this silver, Abimelech hired reckless and worthless men to follow him, forming a band of supporters who would help him in his quest for power.

The Massacre at Ophrah

With his band of followers, Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Gideon, on one stone. This brutal act of fratricide was intended to eliminate any potential rivals to his claim to leadership. However, Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, managed to escape and later delivered a parable and curse from Mount Gerizim against Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem.

Reign and Downfall

Abimelech was made king by the leaders of Shechem and ruled for three years. However, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to discord and treachery. The men of Shechem set ambushes against Abimelech, and a man named Gaal son of Ebed led a rebellion against him. Abimelech responded by attacking Shechem, destroying the city, and sowing it with salt.

The final conflict occurred at Thebez, where Abimelech besieged the city. As he approached a tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, crushing his skull. In his final moments, Abimelech commanded his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword to avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman. Thus, Abimelech's reign ended in violence and ignominy, fulfilling Jotham's curse.

Biblical References

· Judges 9:1-6 : "Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother, 'Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, “Is it 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.' So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless and worthless men, and they followed him."

· Judges 9:22-24 : "After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and they acted treacherously against Abimelech. In this way the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and the shedding of their blood might be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers."

The account of Abimelech and his men serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, treachery, and the consequences of turning away from God's ways.