The book of Judges famously ends with the need for a king, but lesser known is the message of its longest chapter: They need a king, but not a Canaanite king! The long look at King Abimelech, we will argue, is a pattern of King Saul, who is truly a Canaanite king. His hometown of Gibeah is the New Sodom. In contrast, two quiet references to Bethlehem remind us of the House of David and how any true son of David is characterized by lovingkindness or mercy (as in the book of Ruth). In contrast, all Canaanite power-politics is characterized by merciless rule and will face a merciless fate: "Judgment will be merciless to him who shows no mercy" (James 2:13). Let us hope in the merciful Son of David!
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Bob Snyder is an ordained minister of the gospel, serving as the tutor of Spring Branch Academy and also as one of the associate pastors at Countryside Bible Church in Jonesville, Michigan. He has bachelor degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering, an M.Div., and a...