| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother, | 1Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother's brothers at Shechem and spoke to them and to all his maternal grandfather's clan, saying, " |
| 2“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” | 2Please speak in the presence of all the lords of Shechem, 'Is it better for you that 70 men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you or that one man rule over you?' Remember that I am your own flesh and blood." |
| 3And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” | 3His mother's relatives spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the lords of Shechem, and they were favorable to Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." |
| 4So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. | 4So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men with this money, and they followed him. |
| 5He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. | 5He went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his 70 brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 6Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king. | 6Then all the lords of Shechem and of Beth-millo gathered together and proceeded to make Abimelech king at the oak of the pillar in Shechem. |
| 7When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you. | 7When they told Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and called to them: Listen to me, lords of Shechem, and may God listen to you: |
| 8One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ | 8The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Reign over us." |
| 9But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ | 9But the olive tree said to them," Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, and rule over the trees?" |
| 10Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’ | 10Then the trees said to the fig tree," Come and reign over us." |
| 11But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’ | 11But the fig tree said to them," Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, and rule over trees?" |
| 12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’ | 12Later, the trees said to the grapevine," Come and reign over us." |
| 13But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ | 13But the grapevine said to them," Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over trees?" |
| 14Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’ | 14Finally, all the trees said to the bramble," Come and reign over us." |
| 15But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ | 15The bramble said to the trees," If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon."" |
| 16Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves— | 16Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have rewarded him appropriately for what he did-- |
| 17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, | 17for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you from the hand of Midian, |
| 18but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— | 18and now you have attacked my father's house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Shechem 'because he is your brother-- |
| 19if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. | 19if then you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you. |
| 20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” | 20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech." |
| 21Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech. | 21Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech. |
| 22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, | 22When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years, |
| 23God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully, | 23God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully, |
| 24in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. | 24so that the crime against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers. |
| 25The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. | 25The lords of Shechem rebelled against him by putting people on the tops of the mountains to ambush and rob everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 26Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him. | 26Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the lords of Shechem trusted him. |
| 27And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech. | 27So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech. |
| 28Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? | 28Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal, and isn't Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? |
| 29If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’ ” | 29If only these people were in my power, I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Gather your army and come out." |
| 30When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger. | 30When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was angry. |
| 31So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. | 31So he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying, "Look, Gaal son of Ebed, with his brothers, have come to Shechem and are turning the city against you. |
| 32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. | 32Now tonight, you and the people with you are to come wait in ambush in the countryside. |
| 33And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.” | 33Then get up early, and at sunrise charge the city. When he and the people who are with him come out against you, do to him whatever you can." |
| 34So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. | 34So Abimelech and all the people with him got up at night and waited in ambush for Shechem in four units. |
| 35Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places. | 35Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. Then Abimelech and the people who were with him got up from their ambush. |
| 36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.” | 36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!" But Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the mountains look like men to you." |
| 37Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.” | 37Then Gaal spoke again, "Look, people are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak." |
| 38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!” | 38Zebul replied, "Where is your mouthing off now? You said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Aren't these the people you despised? Now go and fight them!" |
| 39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, | 39So Gaal went out leading the lords of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, |
| 40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate. | 40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died as far as the entrance of the gate. |
| 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. | 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem. |
| 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech. | 42The next day when the people went into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 43So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. | 43He took the people, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the countryside. He looked, and the people were coming out of the city, so he arose against them and struck them down. |
| 44Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down. | 44Then Abimelech and the units that were with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two units rushed against all who were in the countryside and struck them down. |
| 45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. | 45So Abimelech fought against the city that entire day, captured it, and killed the people who were in it. Then he tore down the city and sowed it with salt. |
| 46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. | 46When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. |
| 47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, | 47Then it was reported to Abimelech that all the lords of the Tower of Shechem had gathered together. |
| 48he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” | 48So Abimelech and all the people who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his ax in his hand and cut a branch from the trees. He picked up the branch, put it on his shoulder, and said to the people who were with him, "Hurry and do what you have seen me do." |
| 49So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women. | 49Each person also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire around the people, and all the people in the Tower of Shechem died--about 1,000 men and women. |
| 50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. | 50Abimelech went to Thebez, camped against it, and captured it. |
| 51But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. | 51There was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and lords of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. |
| 52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. | 52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. |
| 53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. | 53But a woman threw the upper portion of a millstone on Abimelech's head and fractured his skull. |
| 54He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. | 54He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, or they'll say about me, 'A woman killed him.'" So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died. |
| 55And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. | 55When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. |
| 56In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers. | 56In this way, God turned back on Abimelech the evil that he had done against his father, by killing his 70 brothers. |
| 57And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them. | 57And God also returned all the evil of the men of Shechem on their heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came on them. |
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