God sent a spirit of animosityThis phrase indicates divine intervention in the affairs of men, a common theme in the Old Testament where God actively influences events to fulfill His purposes. The "spirit of animosity" suggests a supernatural influence that incites discord, similar to how God hardened Pharaoh's heart in Exodus. This reflects the biblical principle that God can use even negative circumstances to achieve His will.
between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem
Abimelech, the son of Gideon, sought power through violence and manipulation, killing his brothers to become king. Shechem was a significant city in Israel's history, located in the hill country of Ephraim. It was a place of covenant renewal (Joshua 24) and had a history of internal strife (Genesis 34). The leaders of Shechem initially supported Abimelech, but their alliance was fragile, highlighting the instability of human alliances when not grounded in righteousness.
and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully
The deceitful treatment reflects the consequences of Abimelech's own treachery. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (Galatians 6:7). The leaders' betrayal is a direct result of the spirit of animosity, illustrating how God can use human actions, even those with evil intent, to bring about justice and fulfill His divine plan. This also foreshadows the eventual downfall of Abimelech, serving as a warning against the pursuit of power through unrighteous means.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped.
2.
ShechemA significant city in the hill country of Ephraim, where Abimelech's mother was from. The men of Shechem initially supported Abimelech's rise to power.
3.
GodThe sovereign deity who intervenes in the affairs of men, as seen in
Judges 9:23, where He sends an evil spirit to create discord between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem.
4.
Leaders of ShechemThe men who initially supported Abimelech but later turned against him due to the evil spirit sent by God.
5.
Evil SpiritA spirit sent by God to cause division and conflict between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to the eventual downfall of Abimelech.
Teaching Points
God's SovereigntyGod is in control of all events, even those that seem chaotic or evil. He can use any situation to fulfill His divine purposes and bring about justice.
Consequences of SinAbimelech's actions and the subsequent events highlight the destructive nature of sin and the inevitable consequences that follow. Sin often leads to division and strife.
Divine JusticeGod's intervention in sending an evil spirit demonstrates His commitment to justice. He will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely.
The Role of Human ChoiceWhile God is sovereign, human choices still have real consequences. The leaders of Shechem chose to support Abimelech initially, and their later betrayal led to their downfall.
Trust in God's PlanBelievers can trust that God is working behind the scenes, even when circumstances seem dire. His plans are ultimately for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Judges 9:23?
2.How does Judges 9:23 illustrate God's sovereignty over human conflicts and decisions?
3.What role does divine intervention play in the events of Judges 9:23?
4.How can we discern God's will in conflicts, as seen in Judges 9:23?
5.How does Judges 9:23 connect with Romans 8:28 about God's purpose in events?
6.How can we apply the lessons from Judges 9:23 to resolve personal disputes?
7.What does Judges 9:23 reveal about God's role in human conflict and division?
8.How does the "spirit of ill will" in Judges 9:23 align with God's nature?
9.Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9?
11.Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)?
12.Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?
13.Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?
14.In 1 Samuel 16:14, why would God send an “evil spirit” to torment Saul, contradicting the idea of a benevolent deity?What Does Judges 9:23 Mean
God sent– “Then God sent a spirit of animosity…” (Judges 9:23)
– The verse starts by placing the entire episode under God’s sovereign initiative. The Lord is actively governing events, not passively observing. Compare:
•Genesis 50:20 – God turns human intentions for His purposes.
•Isaiah 45:7 – He forms light and creates darkness, working even through calamity.
– This action fulfills the earlier warning of Jotham (Judges 9:19–20) that God would repay treachery with treachery.
– It reminds us that no wrongdoing escapes divine notice; God oversees history to uphold His justice, even if His timing is unexpected.
a spirit of animosity– The “spirit” here is an invisible influence that stirs hostility. Similar scenes appear when “an evil spirit from the LORD” tormented Saul (1 Samuel 16:14) or when a deceiving spirit enticed Ahab’s prophets (1 Kings 22:19–23).
– Scripture never portrays God as authoring sin, yet He may withdraw restraint or employ rebellious beings to accomplish His righteous ends (Romans 1:24;Psalm 81:12).
– Animosity becomes the tool by which hidden sins surface—Abimelech’s murderous rise (Judges 9:5) and Shechem’s complicity now bear bitter fruit.
between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem– Abimelech, though Gideon’s son, was half-Canaanite through his Shechemite mother (Judges 8:31). The leaders had financed his coup with silver from Baal-berith’s temple (Judges 9:4).
– Their alliance was political, not covenantal; shared greed united them, not shared faith.Proverbs 28:21 warns that such partnerships unravel.
– By God’s design, the very parties who conspired to kill Gideon’s seventy sons now devour each other, mirroringPsalm 7:14–16 where the wicked fall into the pits they dig.
and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully– The Shechemites set ambushes (Judges 9:25), secretly hoping to overthrow the king they had installed.
– God “caused” this—not by compelling sin, but by letting sin’s internal rot turn friends into foes.Romans 2:5 shows how stubborn hearts store up wrath for themselves.
– The deceit exposes the emptiness of leadership built on violence;Galatians 6:7 echoes the principle: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked.”
summaryJudges 9:23 declares that the Lord Himself initiated the breakdown of an evil alliance. By releasing a spirit of hostility, He ensured that Abimelech and the men of Shechem would reap the treachery they had sown. The verse teaches that God’s justice governs history, using even human animosity to expose and punish sin, while safeguarding His larger redemptive plan.
(23)
An evil spirit.--Whether the word used for spirit (
ruach) is here meant to be
personalor not we cannot say. Sometimes it seems to mean an evil being (
1Samuel 16:14), sometimes only an evil temper (
Numbers 14:24). The later Jews would have made little or no difference between the two, since they attributed almost every evil to the direct agency of demons.
Dealt treacherously.--The word is used for the beginning of a defection.
Verses 23, 24. - These two verses contain the summary of what is related in detail in the rest of the chapter, and we arc told that it all happened providentially,
that the violence done to the sons of Jerubbaal,
and their blood,
might come to be laid (literally,
for some one to lay)
upon Abimelech, etc.
Which aided him - literally,
strengthened his hands, by giving him money, and encouraging him to make way to the throne by killing his brothers.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Godאֱלֹהִים֙(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativesentוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח(way·yiš·laḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outan evilרָעָ֔ה(rā·‘āh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evilspiritר֣וּחַ(rū·aḥ)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritbetweenבֵּ֣ין(bên)Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenAbimelechאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40:Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite nameandוּבֵ֖ין(ū·ḇên)Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenthe leadersבַּעֲלֵ֣י(ba·‘ă·lê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167:A master, a husband, ownerof Shechemשְׁכֶ֑ם(šə·ḵem)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927:Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamorand caused themבַעֲלֵי־(ḇa·‘ă·lê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167:A master, a husband, ownerto treat Abimelechבַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃(ba·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40:Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite namedeceitfully,וַיִּבְגְּד֥וּ(way·yiḇ·gə·ḏū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 898:To cover, to act covertly, to pillage
Links
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OT History: Judges 9:23 God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech (Jd Judg. Jdg) 
