1And 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,
2And 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,
3Speak, 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.9.2 Whether…: Heb. What is good? whether, etc
4Speak, 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.9.2 Whether…: Heb. What is good? whether, etc
5And 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.9.3 to follow: Heb. after
6And 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.9.3 to follow: Heb. after
7And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
8And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
9And 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.
10And 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.
11And 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.9.6 plain: or, oak
12And 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.9.6 plain: or, oak
13¶ And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
14¶ And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
15The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
16The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
17But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?9.9 go…: or, go up and down for other trees
18But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?9.9 go…: or, go up and down for other trees
19And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
20And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
21But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
22But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
23Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
24Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
25And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
26And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
27Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.9.14 bramble: or, thistle
28Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.9.14 bramble: or, thistle
29And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
30And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
31Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
32Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
33(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:9.17 adventured…: Heb. cast his life
34(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:9.17 adventured…: Heb. cast his life
35And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
36And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
37If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
38If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
39But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
40But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
41And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
42And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
43¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
44¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
45Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
46Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
47That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.9.24 aided…: Heb. strengthened his hands to kill
48That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.9.24 aided…: Heb. strengthened his hands to kill
49And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
50And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
51And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
52And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
53And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.9.27 merry: or, songs
54And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.9.27 merry: or, songs
55And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
56And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
57And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
58And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
59¶ And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.9.30 kindled: or, hot
60¶ And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.9.30 kindled: or, hot
61And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.9.31 privily: Heb. craftily or, to Tormah
62And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.9.31 privily: Heb. craftily or, to Tormah
63Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
64Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
65And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.9.33 as thou shalt…: Heb. as thine hand shall find
66And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.9.33 as thou shalt…: Heb. as thine hand shall find
67¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
68¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
69And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
70And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
71And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
72And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
73And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.9.37 middle: Heb. navel9.37 Meonenim: or, the regarders of times
74And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.9.37 middle: Heb. navel9.37 Meonenim: or, the regarders of times
75Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
76Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
77And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
78And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
79And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
80And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
81And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
82And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
83And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
84And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
85And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
86And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
87And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
88And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
89And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
90And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
91¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
92¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
93And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
94And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
95And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.9.48 me do: Heb. I have done
96And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.9.48 me do: Heb. I have done
97And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
98And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
99¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
100¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
101But 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.
102But 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.
103And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
104And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
105And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.
106And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.
107Then 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.
108Then 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.
109And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
110And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
111¶ Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
112¶ Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
113And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
114And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.