Judges 9

1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and spake 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, that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are threescore and ten persons, rule over you, or that one rule 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 Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who 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: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.6 And all the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.

7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on 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.8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.9 But the olive-tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?10 And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, and reign over us.11 But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?12 And the trees said unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.16 Now therefore, if ye have dealt truly and uprightly, 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 hands17 (for my father fought for you, and adventured his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:18 and 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 maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);19 if ye then have dealt truly and uprightly with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:20 but 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.21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

22 And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:24 that the violence done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brethren.25 And the men of Shechem set liers-in-wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.27 And they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod the grapes, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.28 And 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 ye the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: but why should we serve him?29 And would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem; and, behold, they constrain the city to take part against thee.32 Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field:33 and it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and rush upon the city; and, behold, when he and the people that are with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from the ambushment.36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.37 And Gaal spake again and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company cometh by the way of the oak of Meonenim.38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, that thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out now, I pray, and fight with them.39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entrance of the gate.

41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; And he rose up against them, and smote them.44 And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed upon all that were in the field, and smote them.45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.47 And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.48 And 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 up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

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 themselves in, and gat them up to the roof of the tower.52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and drew near unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.53 And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and brake his skull.54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill 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.56 Thus God requited the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren;57 and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

Judges 9

Abimelech Murders His Brothers

1 Now Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to see his mother’s relatives.t He said to them and to his mother’s entire extended family,t2 “Tellt all the leaders of Shechem this: ‘Why would you wantt to have seventy men, all Jerub-Baal’s sons, ruling over you, when you can have just one ruler? Recall that I am your own flesh and blood.’”t3 His mother’s relativest spoke on his behalf tot all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal.t The leaders were drawn to Abimelech;t they said, “He is our close relative.”t4 They paid him seventy silver shekels out of the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelech then used the silver to hire some lawless, dangeroust men as his followers.t5 He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and murdered his half-brothers,t the seventy legitimatet sons of Jerub-Baal, on one stone. Only Jotham, Jerub-Baal’s youngest son, escaped,t because he hid.

6 All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo assembled and then went and made Abimelech king by the oak near the pillars in Shechem.

Jotham’s Parable

7 When Jotham heard the news,t he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He spoke loudly to the people below,t “Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!
8 “The trees were determined to go outt and choose a king for themselves.t They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king!’t

9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my oil, which is used to honor gods and men, just to sway above the other trees!’t
10 “So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and be our king!’t

11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my sweet figs, my excellent fruit, just to sway above the other trees!’t
12 “So the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You come and be our king!’t

13 But the grapevine said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, just to sway above the other trees!’t
14 “So all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘You come and be our king!’t

15 The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to chooset me as your king, then come along, find safety under my branches!t Otherwiset may fire blaze from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’
16 “Now, if you have shown loyalty and integrity when you made Abimelech king, if you have done right to Jerub-Baal and his family,t if you have properly repaid himt –17 my father fought for you; he risked his lifes and delivered you from Midian’s power.t18 But you have attackedt my father’s familyt today. You murdered his seventy legitimatet sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative.t19 So if you have shown loyalty and integrity to Jerub-Baal and his familyt today, then may Abimelech bring you happiness and may you bring him happiness!t20 But if not, may fire blaze from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo! May fire also blaze from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelech!”

21 Then Jotham ran awayt to Beer and lived there to escape fromt Abimelech his half-brother.t

God Fulfills Jotham’s Curse

22 Abimelech commandedts Israel for three years.23 God sent a spirit to stir up hostilityt between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyalt to Abimelech.24 He did this so the violent deaths of Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons might be avenged and Abimelech, their half-brothert who murdered them, might have to pay for their spilled blood, along with the leaders of Shechem who helped him murder them.t

25 The leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech by puttingts bandits int the hills, who robbed everyone who traveled by on the road. But Abimelech found out about it.t
26 Gaal son of Ebeds came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him.t27 They went out to the field, harvested their grapes,t squeezed out the juice,t and celebrated. They came to the templet of their god and ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech.28 Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed?t Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech?t

29 If only these ment were under my command,ts I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech,t “Mustert your army and come out for battle!”t
30 When Zebul, the city commissioner, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious.t31 He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah,t reporting, “Beware!t Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are comingt to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you.t32 Now, come upt at night with your ment and set an ambush in the field outside the city.t

33 In the morning at sunrise quickly attack the city. When he and his men come out to fight you, do what you can to him.”t
34 So Abimelech and all his men came upt at night and set an ambush outside Shechem – they divided intot four units.35 When Gaal son of Ebed came out and stood at the entrance to the city’s gate, Abimelech and his men got up from their hiding places.36 Gaal saw the ment and said to Zebul, “Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills – it just looks like men.”t37 Gaal again said, “Look, men are coming down from the very centert of the land. A unitt is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners.”t38 Zebul said to him, “Where now are your bragging words,t ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the ment you insulted?t Go out now and fight them!”39 So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem outt and fought Abimelech.40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaalt ran from him. Many Shechemitest fell wounded at the entrance of the gate.

41 Abimelech went backs to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.t
42 The next day the Shechemitest came out to the field. When Abimelech heard about it,t43 he took his ment and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city,t he attacked and struck them down.t44 Abimelech and his unitst attacked and blockedt the entrance to the city’s gate. Two units then attacked all the people in the field and struck them down.

45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed all the people in it. Then he leveledt the city and spread salt over it.ts
46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechems heard the news, they went to the strongholdt of the temple of El-Berith.s47 Abimelech heardt that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were in one place.t48 He and all his ment went up on Mount Zalmon. Het took an axt in his hand and cut off a tree branch. He put itt on his shoulder and said to his men, “Quickly, do what you have just seen me do!”t

49 So each of his men also cut off a branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branchest against the stronghold and set fire to it.t All the peoplet of the Tower of Shechem died – about a thousand men and women.
50 Abimelech moved ont to Thebez; he besieged and captured it.t51 There was a fortifiedt towert in the center of the city, so all the men and women, as well as the city’s leaders, ran into it and locked the entrance. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.52 Abimelech came and attacked the tower. When he approached the entrance of the tower to set it on fire,53 a woman threw an upper millstones down on hist head and shattered his skull.54 He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons,t “Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say,t ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man stabbed him and he died.

55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.t
56 God repaid Abimelech for the evil he did to his father by murdering his seventy half-brothers.t

57 God also repaid the men of Shechem for their evil deeds. The curse spoken by Jotham son of Jerub-Baal fellt on them.