No King

The Rise of the Bramble King – Abimelech

Ambition, Idolatry, Murder, Destruction

Judges 8:29–35, Judges 9

Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Salvation, Silence

1. Selfish Ambition for Power will Destroy Everything

Judges 9:1-6

• Ambition without godliness becomes tyranny.
• Israel had become morally anesthetized.
• Abimelech should have received condemnation; instead, he received coronation.

2. People Often Choose What Is Impressive Over What Is Right

Judges 9:6

• A culture that abandons truth will eventually celebrate the wrong leaders.

3. God Always Sees

Judges 9:7–21

God sees beneath appearances.

People may be fooled. God never is.

4. Sin is Always Judged

Judges 9:22–57

Sin contains the seeds of its own destruction.

5. God is Always at Work

Judges 9:23, 56–57

Abimelech is a false king.

He takes life.

Jesus gives life.

Abimelech seeks power for himself.

Jesus Christ lays down His life for others.

Abimelech destroys his brothers to gain a crown.

Jesus dies for His brothers to provide salvation.

The greatest danger is not merely having the wrong leader over a nation.

The greatest danger is having the wrong king over your life.