Once again, this is a section with names that have never stuck in my mind. I know I’ve read this before, but effectively it’s for the first time today.
Jotham rebukes the Shechemites
Judges 9:7-21
The Shechemites’ conspiracy
Judges 9:22-29
Abimelech destroys Shechem
Judges 9:30-49
Abimelech slain
Judges 9:50-57
7th Judge, Tola, defends Israel
Judges 10:1-2
8th Judge, Jair
Judges 10:3-5
Samson’s conception
Judges 13:2-7
The angel appears to Manoah
Judges 13:8-14
Manoah’s sacrifice
Judges 13:15-23
Abimelech, having made himself king, faces opposition from an old foe - Shechem. Back in the days of the Patriarchs, Jacob’s family had wronged the people of Shechem, and here they are, making trouble for God’s people again. Though to be fair to them, they got dragged in to this because Gideon had a Shechemite concubine. That was breaking the rules.
Now we jump to the beginning of the story of Samson. His conception is auspicious indeed, shades of John the Baptist, even of Jesus. Clearly he is going to be a remarkable person, after the angel put the fear of God into his Mum and Dad. Is he going to be the one to put Israel back on the right track?
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