Worksheet - Judges 8 - 9

Apply 1 (mini lesson)  From reading Judges 8 - 9 Study Questions: 1.  Gideon and his army of 300 men had caused the camp of Midian to disperse and run for their lives.  After that, Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim asking for their help.  They captured the two leaders of Midian, Oreb & Zeeb, and continued to pursue the Midianites.  How are Gideon and his men described as they continue looking for the kings of Midian, Zebah & Zalmunna?  Judges 8:4-5 - 2.  Gideon requested bread for his warriors from the men of Succoth and also from the men of Penuel.  Both times, he was mocked for not 'already' having the kings in his hands.  Gideon repaid them for their sarcasm and lack of care for him and his men after he took care of the capturing the kings himself.  Zebah & Zalmunna were in Karkor and their armies with them, about 15,000 men.  How many had already fallen?  Judges 8:10 - 3.  Gideon went up into the camp in an "unsuspected" manner, capturing both kings and routing the entire army.  As Gideon was returning home from the battle with the army and the kings in captivity, he saw a young person from Succoth.  What did he find out from him and then what did he do to the men of Succoth and later to the tower of Penuel and those men who had all withheld food from them when they were weary from battle? Judges 8:14-18 4.  Gideon asked the two kings what kind of men they killed at Tabor.  They said  they were like him, resembling the sons of a king.  Gideon said "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.  If you would have let them live, I would let you live now."  Gideon killed the kings and took the crescent ornaments off of their camel's necks to keep as plunder.  The men of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them because he had delivered them from the hand of Midian.  What did Gideon tell them?  Judges 8:22-23 - 5.  Although Gideon was not going to become their ruler, he told them he would accept a gold earring from each of their spoils from the war.  The weight of the gold that was collected was 1700 shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments from the camels, and the pendants and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian and the neck bands that were on their camels' necks.  What did Gideon make with all of this and what did it bring upon him and his household?  Judges 8:27 - 6.  How long did the land have rest after Gideon and his men subdued the Midianites? Judges 8:28 -   7.  Gideon (who was called Jerubbaal also) went and lived in his own house.  He had many wives who had given him 70 sons as direct descendants.  He had a concubine from Shechem who had bore a son to him by the name of Abimelech.  Gideon died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  What happened as soon as Gideon died? Judges 8:33 -34 - 8.  Did the sons of Israel show respect and kindness to the household of Gideon after all he had done for them?  Judges 8:35 -   9.  The son of Gideon's concubine, named Abimelech, went to his mother's relatives in Shechem to ask if they wanted all 70 of Gideon's sons to rule over them or to have only his rule over them since he was their bone and their flesh.  They wanted him as their leader and gave him silver from the house of their god, Baal-berith which which he hired worthless and reckless fellows to go with him to his father's house at Ophrah and kill the 70 brothers that were Gideon's sons.  They killed them all on one stone.  Who escaped and hid himself .. and  what was his name? Judges 9:5 - 10.  The men of Shechem and all Beth-Millo assembled together and made Abimelch king over them by the oak of the pillar which was in Shechem.  What did Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, do when he heard about this?  Judges 9:7-20 (describe the parable he gave and what he said should happen to Abimelech if he was not dealing in truth and integrity for his father's name and household) ..... 11.  After making this announcement, Jotham fled to the city of refuge called Beer to be protected from his brother Abimelech.  Abimelech ruled over Israel as king for 3 years.  What did God send to stir up violence between Abimelech and the men of Shechem that he ruled over?  Judges 9:23 -   What was the purpose in doing this? Judges 9:24 - 12.  The men of Shechem set an ambush against Abimelech, robbing any who passed by, and it was told to Abimelech.  Gaal, the son of Ebed, came with his relatives, and crossed over into Shechem.  The men of Shechem put their trust in him.  Gaal told them "Serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem, and do not serve Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon)"...  The ruler of the city was Zebul and he was angry at the words of Gaal and sent messengers to Abimelech "deceitfully" saying that the whole city was stirred up against him...Abimelech got his people together to fight Gaal.  Abimelech chased him and he fled; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate.  Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.  On the next day, Abimelech divided his people into 3 companies and rose up against the people of the city when they came out to the field and killed them.  Abimelech fought against the city and killed the people in it.  Afterwards, he razed the city and sowed it with salt.  What did the leaders of the tower of Shechem do when they heard about all of this? Judges 9:46 - 13.  When Abimelech heard that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together in one place, he went up to Mount Zalmon with his people and took an axe in his hand, cutting down a branch from the trees and asking all the people to do the same thing.  They put all the wood on the inner chamber of the tower and set the chamber on fire, so that all of the men of the tower of Shechem would die.  There was about 1000 men and women inside the tower that died at that time.  After this, Abimelech went to Thebez and captured it.  There was a strong tower in the center of this city where all the men and women with all the leaders of the city went inside it and were on the roof of the tower.  Abimelech approached the tower to burn it as he had the one in Shechem, but a "certain woman" did a most noble and courageous act.  What did she do that stopped Abimelech and saved her people?  Judges 9:53- 14.  Abimelech did not want it said of him that he was killed by a woman.  What did he ask his armor bearer to do to him? Judges 9:54 - 15.  When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed and went to their homes.  Who was repaying Shechem for their misfortune and why?  Judges 9:57 - Who was repaying Abimelech's wickedness and whose blood was he avenged for?  Judges 9:57 - Apply 1:  Do most people even realize the eternal significance of their actions in this life?   Read & comment on: Judges 9:56 - Compare and comment on: Numbers 32:23 - Jeremiah 2:19 - Matthew 25:31-46 - Revelation 20:11-15 - Revelation 22:12 - Galatians 6:7-8 -   How can you apply this to your life? ...    Your summary of all of today's lesson:        Your prayer for today:       The purpose of the Apply 1 mini lesson is ..... to help you focus on at least "one" thing that you can apply to your life from the chapters read today.  It would be great to take the time to look up the verses and answers the short survey each day.  I think this will be a great guide to helping you journal your thoughts.  Usually once you begin to open up on a subject, more things come to your mind to say or pray about.  Love you, Brenda