In this episode of The History of the Bible, we continue the story of Abimelek after his rise to power in Shechem. Exploring Judges 9, we examine how internal strife between Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem led to betrayal, rebellion, and a brutal conflict that climaxed in the attack on Thebez. From the role of the temple of El-Berith to the strategic significance of Mount Zalmon and Thebez, this episode unpacks the political and cultural backdrop of Israel during the early Iron Age. We also place Abimelek’s rule in the wider context of world history, at the close of the Late Bronze Age, when major empires such as Egypt and the Hittites were collapsing. The episode highlights how ambition, divine judgment, and fragile leadership intertwined to shape this turbulent chapter in Israel’s history.

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ESV Study Bible (Crossway, 2008) – Notes on Judges 9.

ESV Archaeology Study Bible (Crossway, 2018) – Historical context on Shechem, Thebez, and Iron Age Canaan.

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV, Zondervan, 2016) – Insights on covenantal temples, Abimelek’s kingship, and Shechem’s mixed population.

New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NLT, Thomas Nelson, 2002) – Spiritual application of Abimelek’s leadership.

Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Timelines (Rose Publishing, 2005), p. 104–109 – Map references for Shechem, Mount Zalmon, and Thebez.

Satellite Bible Atlas by William Schlegel (2013), Map 6–7 – Geographic context of Shechem and surrounding battles.

The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History (Cengage, 2018), p. 83–89 – Collapse of Late Bronze Age civilizations.

Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology – Articles on Shechem and Canaanite religion.

BiblicalArchaeology.org – Discussions on Iron Age Shechem and Abimelek’s historical setting.

WorldHistory.org – Entries on the Late Bronze Age collapse and Canaanite culture.

BlueLetterBible.org – Hebrew word study of “evil spirit” in Judges 9:23 and cross-references.