The Seventy Sons of Gideon are a significant yet tragic part of the narrative found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 8 and 9. Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was a judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory against the Midianites. After his military successes, Gideon declined to become king, stating, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite this declaration, Gideon's legacy was marred by the events that followed his death.

Gideon's Family and Legacy

Gideon had many wives, and through them, he fathered seventy sons (Judges 8:30). This large family was a testament to his status and influence in Israel. However, the Bible also notes that Gideon had a concubine in Shechem, who bore him a son named Abimelech (Judges 8:31). This son would play a pivotal role in the fate of Gideon's other children.

Abimelech's Ambition and the Massacre at Ophrah

After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as ruler over Shechem and, by extension, over Israel. He appealed to his maternal relatives in Shechem, arguing that it would be better for them to be ruled by one man rather than seventy (Judges 9:2). With their support, Abimelech hired reckless and worthless men to assist him in his quest for power.

In a brutal and treacherous act, Abimelech went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers on a single stone (Judges 9:5). This massacre was a direct violation of the familial and covenantal bonds that were supposed to unite the tribes of Israel. Only Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, survived by hiding himself.

Jotham's Parable and Prophecy

Jotham, upon learning of the massacre, stood on Mount Gerizim and delivered a parable to the people of Shechem. In this parable, he likened Abimelech to a bramble, a worthless plant that sought to rule over the trees (Judges 9:7-15). Jotham's message was a prophetic warning that Abimelech's reign would bring destruction upon both himself and those who supported him.

The Fulfillment of Jotham's Curse

Jotham's curse came to fruition as discord arose between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. This internal strife led to a series of conflicts, culminating in Abimelech's death at the hands of a woman who dropped a millstone on his head from a tower (Judges 9:53). Thus, the violent end of Abimelech's rule served as divine retribution for the bloodshed he had caused.

Theological and Moral Implications

The account of the seventy sons of Gideon and the rise and fall of Abimelech serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, betrayal, and the rejection of God's sovereignty. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. The narrative also highlights the cyclical nature of Israel's history during the time of the judges, characterized by periods of faithfulness followed by apostasy and divine judgment.