What does the Bible say about Abimelech in Judges 9?

In Judges 9, Abimelech, the illegitimate son of Gideon, represents a picture of the false gospel and man's depravity. After Gideon's death, Israel sought a king to rule over them rather than recognizing Jehovah as their king. Abimelech's actions, including the murder of his seventy brothers, illustrate the lengths to which those pursuing man-made religion will go to establish their rule. His desire for kingship serves as a metaphor for the natural human inclination to seek autonomy from God and create idols of our own making.