Abimelech suffered an ignominious death suitable to a man of his character. Thebez (v. 50) was probably another name for Tirzah northeast of Shechem.204The upper millstone the woman threw down on Abimelech was probably about 18 inches in diameter.205When Abimelech died, his army dissolved (v. 55). The writer of the Book of Judges ascribed his death and the fate of the Shechemites to God who punished them for their wickedness (vv. 56-57; cf. v. 32). Jotham's fable proved prophetic (v. 57). This first attempt to set up a monarchy in Israel failed miserably.
That the "men of Israel"(v. 55) would follow such a man as Abimelech provides a sad commentary on the moral and spiritual level of God's people at this time. This is what incomplete obedience to God's law and compromise with His enemies produced.
From another perspective God used Abimelech to punish the Canaanites in Shechem and its vicinity. In this sense he was God's instrument. Perhaps this is part of the reason the Spirit of God chose to record as much of Abimelech's life as we have here.206
"In this book [of Judges] we observe the mercy of God at work in as sharp relief as anywhere else in Scripture. The greatest threats to Israel's existence do not come from outside enemies who may occasionally oppress them. Israel's most serious enemy is within. She is a nation that appears determined to destroy herself. Only the gracious intervention of God prevents this from happening."207
