Abimelech’s Conspiracy 1 UEB Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, BSB BSB: Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,
2 UEB "Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh." BSB BSB: “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.”
3 UEB His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." BSB BSB: And 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.”
4 UEB They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him. BSB BSB: So 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.
5 UEB Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself. BSB BSB: He 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.
6 UEB All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem. BSB BSB: Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.
Jotham’s Parable 7 UEB When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, "Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. BSB BSB: When 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.
8 UEB The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' BSB BSB: One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9 UEB But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?' BSB BSB: But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
10 UEB The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.' BSB BSB: Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
11 UEB But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?' BSB BSB: But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
12 UEB The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.' BSB BSB: Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13 UEB The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?' BSB BSB: But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
14 UEB Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.' BSB BSB: Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15 UEB The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.' BSB BSB: But 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.’
16 UEB Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves— BSB BSB: Now 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—
17 UEB —and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian— BSB BSB: for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
18 UEB but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative. BSB BSB: but 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—
19 UEB If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. BSB BSB: if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
20 UEB But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech." BSB BSB: But 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.”
21 UEB Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother. BSB BSB: Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites 22 UEB Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. BSB BSB: After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
23 UEB God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech. BSB BSB: God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
24 UEB God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers. BSB BSB: in 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.
25 UEB So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech. BSB BSB: The 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.
26 UEB Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27 UEB They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech. BSB BSB: And 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.
28 UEB 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? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech? BSB BSB: Then 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?
29 UEB I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'" BSB BSB: If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
The Fall of Shechem 30 UEB When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled. BSB BSB: When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
31 UEB He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, "See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. BSB BSB: So 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.
32 UEB Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields. BSB BSB: Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
33 UEB Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them." BSB BSB: And 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.”
34 UEB So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units. BSB BSB: So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 UEB Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place. BSB BSB: Now 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.
36 UEB When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, "See, men are coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men." BSB BSB: When 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.”
37 UEB Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners." BSB BSB: Then 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.”
38 UEB Then Zebul said to him, "Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them." BSB BSB: “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!”
39 UEB Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech. BSB BSB: So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40 UEB Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate. BSB BSB: but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
41 UEB Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem. BSB BSB: Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
42 UEB On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech. BSB BSB: The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 UEB He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them. BSB BSB: So 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.
44 UEB Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them. BSB BSB: Then 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.
45 UEB Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it. BSB BSB: And 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.
46 UEB When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith. BSB BSB: On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
47 UEB Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem. BSB BSB: And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
48 UEB Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done." BSB BSB: he 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.”
49 UEB So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women. BSB BSB: So 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.
Abimelech’s Punishment 50 UEB Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it. BSB BSB: Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
51 UEB But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower. BSB BSB: But 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.
52 UEB Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it. BSB BSB: When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.
53 UEB But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull. BSB BSB: But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
54 UEB Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'" So his young man pierced him through, and he died. BSB BSB: He 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.
55 UEB When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home. BSB BSB: And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.
56 UEB So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. BSB BSB: In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
57 UEB God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal. BSB BSB: And 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.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.