THE DANGER OF UNGODLY LEADERSHIP

THE DANGER OF UNGODLY LEADERSHIP

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Judges 9
Judges 9:1–6, 50–55 (KJV)
1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3 And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
5 And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.

50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.
54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 29:2; Hosea 8:4; James 3:16; Psalm 75:6–7

Description: Leadership built on pride, selfish ambition, and violence will always end in disgrace and destruction.

INTRODUCTION:
Leadership is a sacred trust given by God for the service of people, not a throne for selfish ambition. Whenever men seize power without divine approval, corruption, oppression, and destruction soon follow. Abimelech, the son of Gideon, is a vivid example of ungodly leadership in the book of Judges.

Unlike other judges who were raised by God to deliver Israel, Abimelech exalted himself into power through manipulation, violence, and bloodshed. He killed his seventy brothers to secure the throne and ruled by cruelty. Though he gained power, his reign was short-lived and ended in disgrace when a woman’s millstone struck him dead.

The story of Abimelech serves as a solemn warning that ungodly leadership, whether in the home, church, community, or nation, never lasts. True leadership must be rooted in righteousness, humility, and service, otherwise it becomes destructive to both the leader and the people.

1. CHARACTER MATTERS MORE THAN POSITION
Leadership without godly character becomes tyranny.

a) Abimelech sought power, not service
He was motivated by selfish ambition rather than a calling from God.

b) He manipulated family ties for personal gain
He used his Shechemite relatives to secure influence.

c) He relied on money and corrupt alliances
He funded his rise with silver from an idol’s temple.

d) He lacked the fear of God
Instead of serving Israel under God, he exalted himself as king.

Biblical Example: King Saul started well but lost his throne because of disobedience and pride (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

2. UNGODLY LEADERSHIP BRINGS VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION
Where selfish ambition rules, peace cannot last.

a) Abimelech killed seventy of his brothers
Power built on bloodshed cannot stand.

b) He surrounded himself with “vain and light persons”
Ungodly leaders attract corrupt followers.

c) His reign was marked by conflict and instability
Instead of deliverance, Israel experienced strife.

d) His end was violent and shameful
The same sword he used against others turned against him.

Biblical Example: Pharaoh oppressed Israel and drowned in the Red Sea when God overthrew his power (Exodus 14:28).

3. GOD OVERTHROWS UNRIGHTEOUS LEADERS
No leader can outlive the judgment of God.

a) Leadership is from God, not man’s manipulation
Promotion comes only from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7).

b) God allowed Abimelech’s evil but judged it swiftly
His reign lasted only three years before destruction came.

c) God raised instruments of judgment against him
A woman’s millstone fulfilled divine justice.

d) The people returned home after his fall
His death brought immediate relief to the land.

Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God until he acknowledged Heaven rules (Daniel 4:31-34).

CONCLUSION:
Abimelech’s story teaches that ungodly leadership never prospers. Leadership built on pride, violence, and ambition may shine for a moment but will eventually collapse under the weight of God’s judgment.

True leadership comes from God and is sustained by humility, righteousness, and service. Whether in the home, ministry, or nation, godly leaders bring peace, but ungodly leaders bring pain. Let us pray for God to raise righteous leaders and also strive to be leaders after His heart in every sphere of life.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, deliver me from selfish ambition and pride.
2. Father, raise righteous leaders in my family, church, and nation.
3. Lord, expose and overthrow every Abimelech spirit in leadership.
4. Father, may my pursuit of leadership always glorify You.
5. Lord, help me to serve with humility, not with pride.
6. Father, surround me with godly counsel, not “vain persons.”
7. Lord, let every ungodly structure of power collapse in my nation.
8. Father, preserve me from following corrupt leaders.
9. Lord, make me an instrument of peace and righteousness in leadership.
10. Father, let Your will prevail in every sphere of governance.

GOD’S WORD FOR YOU TODAY:
1. Leadership is a trust, not a throne.
2. Godly character matters more than position.
3. Leadership without God leads to oppression.
4. Every throne built on violence will fall.
5. Ambition without calling destroys destinies.
6. God raises leaders, men do not enthrone themselves.
7. Ungodly leadership attracts corrupt followers.
8. Divine judgment is certain for unrighteous rulers.
9. True leadership is service, not domination.
10. God always preserves His people from corrupt leadership.