Why Abimelech Son of Gideon Was Killed by a Stone

The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abimelech son of Gideon: "Wicked one, see the honor that Abimelech showed to Abraham — yet you arose and killed your brothers, seventy men, upon one stone! Woe to that man." And so Solomon said, "Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it" (Ecclesiastes 10:8). Therefore he too was killed only by a stone, as it is said, "And a certain woman cast an upper millstone..." (Judges 9:53). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: "I wrote in My Torah, 'The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened' (Proverbs 10:27), and you killed your brothers. By your life, I shall shorten the years of that man!" Therefore he reigned only three years, as it is said, "And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years" (Judges 9:22).