Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech — God sends 'an evil spirit' (רוּחַ רָעָה, ruach ra'ah). The spirit causes treachery (בָּגַד, bagad). The cycle invokes divine causation: the LORD engineers the rift between tyrant and people. The consequence of violated covenant is turning allies into enemies.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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