Children Search Lesson 18 Vol 4 The Conspiracy of Abimelech

The previous chapters of the book of Judges give the details of how God called Gideon to fight against the enemies of Israel. He obeyed and Israel defeated the Midianites and had rest from war for forty years. Gideon later forgot God and led the people to serve an idol. As a result of this, after the death of Gideon, Israel was oppressed again by their enemies.

The people at this time did not have a leader to lead them in battle. Gideon had more than seventy sons. One of them was called Abimelech. He was a very wicked man who had an ungodly ambition to become king over the people of God. This wicked desire of his made him kill the other seventy sons of his father. It was only Jotham the youngest that escaped.

It was a great wickedness and conspiracy against God’s people. Do not follow the way of the wicked. Never become over-ambitious as to harm others to achieve your goal. Be a humble, honest, and holy child of God.

1. DECEPTION AND CRUELTY OF ABIMELECH 

Judges 9:1–6

Abimelech wanted to become king in Shechem by all means though God had not chosen him. Because he did not want anybody to stop him from being king, he hired some wicked persons to kill his brothers; the sons of his father (Judges 9:2–5). Abimelech became king after he had killed his brethren, but God was not happy with him. There are some important lessons God wants us to learn from this story.

Lessons to Learn from the Story of Abimelech

1. As a friend of Jesus, trust in the Lord with all your heart. Have faith in Him to guide you in achieving your life’s ambitions.
2. Do not follow the method of the world by trying to do bad things to anybody. Do not make others fall so that you can make progress.
3. Do not join any gang or plan with wicked children to do bad things against anybody.
4. Fear the Lord and be obedient to the word of God at all times.
5. Do not be partial or favor others as the people of Shechem did by wrongfully supporting Abimelech to become king.

2. DIVINE JUDGMENT ON ABIMELECH 

Judges 9:7–57; Psalm 7:11; Proverbs 11:5b

This means that God will surely punish wicked boys and girls no matter how long they continue in their wicked acts. God hates wickedness, and any child that does wicked things to others will surely face the judgment of God if he or she does not repent.

Three years after Abimelech became king, God remembered his cruelty against the sons of his father and brought judgment upon him. The men of Shechem that helped Abimelech to carry out his evil works were also punished (Judges 9:22–25; Romans 1:32). God turned them against each other until they destroyed one another.

Things to Learn from God’s Dealing with Abimelech

1. God is loving and patient. He waited for three years to see if Abimelech would repent of his wickedness, but he did not, so God had to judge and punish him (Ezekiel 33:10–11).
2. God’s patience towards sinners will not last forever. As God judged Abimelech three years after he failed to repent, so also sinners who delay to get saved will face the judgment of God (Isaiah 1:18–20).
3. Length of time does not cancel our sins. It is only through genuine repentance that we can be saved.
4. We must not support the wicked to do evil because the judgment of God will surely come upon all evil-doers and those who support them (Romans 1:32).

3. DEPART FROM EVIL AND ESCAPE GOD’S JUDGMENT (POINT 3)

Judges 9:22–24; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 1:18–19

God waited for three years for Abimelech to repent. Today, He is still waiting for sinners to turn from their wicked ways and come to Jesus. Judgment is yet to come. There is still opportunity for sinful boys and girls to repent now and escape God’s judgment. The only way to escape is through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Therefore, the sinner must take the following steps:

1. Realize his sinful state.
2. Be sorry for his sins and confess everything to God.
3. Ask for pardon and cleansing in the blood of Jesus.
4. Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
5. Determine not to go back to his wicked ways anymore.

As you do all these, the Lord will deliver you from sin and the judgment of God.

Questions

1. Who was Abimelech?  
2. What was his ungodly ambition and what did he do to achieve it?  
3. Mention three lessons you learnt from the story of Abimelech.
4. In your own words, explain how God judged and punished Abimelech for his wickedness.  
5. How can a sinner escape the judgment of God?  

Memory Verse

“And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” (Judges 9:57)

Activity & Homework

Activity: Prayer session

Homework: Children are to go home and share the lessons learnt from God’s punishment upon the wicked with their parents, friends, and schoolmates during the week.

Congregational Song & Choruses

Congregational Song: GHS: 207 — “THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING”

Choruses

1. One day be one day
2. I wandered far away
3. He’s got His eyes on you.

Bible Word Search

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary.

• Command
• Multitudes
• Wickedness
• Judgment
• Conspiracy