Question: Why did Abimelech ask his servant to ill him?
Answer: To avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman.
Comments: Abimelech was the son of Gideon who ruled Israel for three years (Judges 9). Though featured in the Book of Judges, he is considered a king, not a judge, as he opposed Israel. He met his death while attacking the city of Thebez, which had revolted. He was struck on the head by a mill-stone, thrown by a woman from the wall above. Realizing death was imminent, he asked his armor-bearer to strike the death blow so that it might not be said he had perished by the hand of a woman (Judges 9:50-57).
The armor-bearer did as he was commanded, but a close reading of the Biblical text reveals that Abimelech did not get his wish. Amidst the David-Bathsheba saga, Abimlech is referenced and his fate had evidently become a cautionary tale for warfare too close to walls.
'Who struck down Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?'--then you shall say, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'" (II Samuel 11:21, NASB)
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