Snowball Effect

Judges 6-9 is about the careers of Gideon and his son Abimelech, who have vastly different ambitions and character. Gideon saves Israel from the Midianites and turns down a position of authority. Abimelech kills everyone in Shechem and lords his authority over others, even killing his half-brothers.

However, even Gideon was guilty of sowing the seeds of Abimelech's apostasy.  He killed the men of Penuel and scourged the leaders of Succoth for failing to help him, and he set up a golden ephod which Israel treated like an idol.  Even the leaders whom God raised up were beginning to stray from His truth, which would result in civil war time and again.

We are our own worst enemies when it comes down to it.  God is merciful in delivering us from outside hardship, but even more so in delivering us from ourselves.