士师记 9
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
亚比米勒杀基甸的众子
9 耶路.巴力的儿子亚比米勒,到示剑去见他的众母舅,对他们和他母亲的全体族人说: 2 “请你们给示剑的众人说:‘是耶路.巴力的众子七十人都统治你们好呢?还是一个人统治你们好呢?’你们也要记得我是你们的骨肉。” 3 他的众母舅就把这一切话为他说给示剑的众人听;他们的心都倾向亚比米勒,因为他们说:“他本是我们的亲族。” 4 他们就从巴力.比利土的庙里,取了八百克银子给亚比米勒,亚比米勒用这些银子雇了一些无赖流氓,那些人就跟随了他。 5 他回到俄弗拉他父亲的家,把自己的兄弟,耶路.巴力的众子七十人,都杀在一块石头上;只剩下耶路.巴力的小儿子约坦,因为他藏了起来。 6 示剑的众人和伯特米罗人都聚集起来,到示剑橡树旁的望楼那里,立亚比米勒为王。
约坦的寓言
7 有人把这事告诉了约坦,约坦就去,站在基利心山顶上,高声向他们呼喊,说:“示剑人哪,你们要听我的话, 神也就听你们的话。 8 有一次,众树要去膏立一个王统治它们,就对橄榄树说:‘请你作王统治我们吧。’ 9 橄榄树对它们说:‘我怎可以放弃生产人用来荣耀 神和尊崇人的油,飘摇在众树之上呢?’ 10 众树对无花果树说:‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’ 11 无花果树对它们说:‘我怎可以放弃结出我的甜美果子,飘摇在众树之上呢?’ 12 众树对葡萄树说:‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’ 13 葡萄树对它们说:‘我怎可以放弃生产那使 神和世人都喜乐的新酒,飘摇在众树之上呢?’ 14 于是众树都对荆棘说:‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’ 15 荆棘对众树说:‘如果你们真诚地膏立我作王统治你们,就要来,投靠在我的荫下;否则,火必从荆棘里出来,吞灭黎巴嫩的香柏树。’
16 “现在你们立亚比米勒为王,你们若是诚实和正直,如果你们善待耶路.巴力和他的家,照着他手所作的待他; 17 我父亲从前冒死为你们争战,把你们从米甸人手中救了出来; 18 今日你们竟起来攻击我的父家,在一块石头上杀了他七十个儿子,又立了他的婢女所生的儿子亚比米勒作示剑人的王,因为他原是你们的亲族。 19 今日你们若是按着诚实和正直待耶路.巴力和他的家,你们就可以因亚比米勒得喜乐,亚比米勒也可以因你们得喜乐。 20 若不是这样,愿火从亚比米勒出来,吞灭示剑人和伯特米罗人;又愿火从示剑人和伯特米罗人出来,吞灭亚比米勒。” 21 接着约坦就逃跑了;他逃到比珥去,住在那里,躲避他的兄弟亚比米勒。
示剑人背叛亚比米勒王
22 亚比米勒治理以色列人三年。 23 神差派邪恶的灵来到亚比米勒与示剑人中间,示剑人就背弃了亚比米勒。 24 这是要报复对耶路.巴力七十个儿子的暴行,把流他们血的罪归到他们的兄弟亚比米勒身上,就是那杀害他们的;也归到示剑人身上,就是那些帮助亚比米勒去杀他自己的兄弟的。 25 示剑人在山顶上设下埋伏,路过他们那里的,他们都劫掠;有人把这事告诉亚比米勒。
26 那时,以别的儿子迦勒与他的兄弟都来了,到示剑去,示剑人竟信任他。 27 他们出到田间去,收取葡萄,榨酒,举行庆祝会,进入他们的神庙吃喝,并且咒诅亚比米勒。 28 以别的儿子迦勒说:“亚比米勒是谁?示剑是谁?竟要我们服事他呢?他不是耶路.巴力的儿子吗?他的副官不是西布勒吗?你们要服事示剑的始祖哈抹的后人啊;我们为甚么要服事亚比米勒呢? 29 但愿这些人民都归在我手下,我好把亚比米勒除掉。”迦勒又对亚比米勒说:“增添你的军队出来吧!”
30 那城的首长西布勒听了以别的儿子迦勒的话,他的怒气就发作, 31 秘密差派使者去见亚比米勒,说:“以别的儿子迦勒和他的兄弟已经到了示剑,他们正在煽动(“煽动”意思不明确,或译:“围困”)那城的人反叛你。 32 现在,你和与你在一起的人,要在夜间起来,在野地埋伏。 33 到了早晨,太阳出来的时候,你就要起来攻城;你要注意,迦勒和与他在一起的人出来对抗你的时候,你就把握机会对付他们。”
34 于是亚比米勒和与他在一起的人,都在夜间起来,分作四队,埋伏着等候示剑人。 35 以别的儿子迦勒出去,站在城门口;亚比米勒和与他在一起的人,从埋伏的地方起来。 36 迦勒看见了那些人,就对西布勒说:“你看,有人从山顶上下来。”西布勒说:“你看见山的影子以为是人。” 37 迦勒又说:“看哪,有人从高地下来,又有一队从米恶尼尼橡树的路径而来。” 38 西布勒对他说:“你曾经说过:‘亚比米勒是谁,竟要我们服事他呢?’现在你说这话的嘴在哪里呢?这不是你轻视的人吗?现在请你出去与他们交战吧。” 39 于是迦勒在示剑人面前出去,与亚比米勒争战。 40 亚比米勒追赶迦勒,迦勒在他面前逃跑,直到城门口,有很多受伤的人仆倒。 41 亚比米勒住在亚鲁玛;西布勒把迦勒和他的兄弟赶走,不许他们住在示剑。
亚比米勒的反击
42 次日,城中众人出到田间去,有人把这事告诉亚比米勒。 43 亚比米勒就把他的人分作三队,埋伏在田间;他在那里观看,见有人从城里出来,就起来攻击他们,把他们击杀了。 44 亚比米勒和与他在一起的一队人忽然冲过去,站在城门口;其他两队人也冲出来攻打所有在田间的人,把他们击杀了。 45 那一天,亚比米勒整天攻打那城,把城攻下了,杀了城中的众人;把城拆毁,又撒上盐。
46 示剑楼的众人听见了这事,就逃入伊勒.比利土庙的地穴里。 47 有人告诉亚比米勒,说:“示剑楼所有的人都聚集在一起。” 48 亚比米勒和与他在一起的人都上了撒们山;亚比米勒手里拿着斧子,砍下一根树枝,拿起来放在自己的肩头上,然后对与他在一起的人说:“你们看我作甚么,你们也要赶快照样作。” 49 于是众人也各自砍下一根树枝,跟随着亚比米勒,把树枝放在地穴上,放火烧了地穴,以致示剑楼的人都死了,男女约有一千人。
亚比米勒的结局
50 后来亚比米勒到提备斯去,安营攻打提备斯,攻取了那城。 51 城中有一座坚固的城楼;那城所有的人,无论男女,都逃到那里去,关上门,上了楼顶。 52 亚比米勒到了城楼前,攻打城楼;他走近城楼门口,要用火焚烧。 53 有一个妇人把一块上磨石拋在亚比米勒的头上,打破了他的头盖骨。 54 他急忙呼喊替他拿兵器的少年人,对他说:“拔出你的刀来,把我杀死吧。免得人讲论我说:‘他被一个妇人所杀。’”于是那少年人把他刺透,他就死了。 55 以色列人看见亚比米勒死了,就各回自己的地方去了。 56 这样, 神报应了亚比米勒向他父亲所行的恶事,就是他杀了自己的兄弟七十个人。 57 神也把示剑人的一切恶事,都报应在他们的头上;耶路.巴力的儿子约坦的咒诅,也归到他们身上。
士师记 9
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
亚比米勒做王
9 耶路·巴力的儿子亚比米勒去示剑的舅舅家,对外祖父全家说: 2 “请你们去问示剑人,耶路·巴力的七十个儿子统治他们好呢,还是一个人统治他们好呢?别忘记我是你们的骨肉至亲。” 3 他们便将他的话转告示剑人。示剑人因为亚比米勒是他们的亲戚,都拥护他, 4 从巴力·比利土的庙里拿了七十块银子给他。他用这些钱收买了一班无赖做随从。 5 他前往俄弗拉,来到他父亲家,在一块磐石上杀死了他七十个同父异母的兄弟,只有耶路·巴力的小儿子约坦躲了起来,幸免于难。 6 示剑和米罗的人都聚集到示剑石柱旁的橡树下,拥立亚比米勒为王。
7 约坦听见这消息,便上到基利心山顶,高喊:“示剑人啊,你们要听我说,这样上帝也会听你们说。 8 从前,树木要选一个王,它们对橄榄树说,‘你来做我们的王。’ 9 橄榄树说,‘我怎能因为贪图凌驾于众树之上而停止出产用来尊崇神与人的橄榄油呢?’ 10 树木对无花果树说,‘你来做我们的王。’ 11 无花果树说,‘我怎能因为贪图凌驾于众树之上而停止出产甜美的果子呢?’ 12 于是,树木对葡萄树说,‘你来做我们的王。’ 13 葡萄树说,‘我怎能因为贪图凌驾于众树之上而停止出产令神明和世人都快乐的美酒呢?’ 14 最后,所有的树木都对荆棘说,‘你来做我们的王。’ 15 荆棘回答说,‘倘若你们诚心立我为你们的王,就投靠在我的荫下吧;不然,愿火从荆棘中冒出来吞噬黎巴嫩的香柏树。’
16 “现在你们立亚比米勒为王,光明正大吗?你们有没有善待耶路·巴力和他一家?有没有按他的功绩对待他? 17 你们想想,从前我父亲为你们出生入死,从米甸人手中拯救你们。 18 现在你们却背叛我父亲家,在一块磐石上杀死他七十个儿子。因为他婢女的儿子亚比米勒是你们的亲戚,你们就立亚比米勒为王。 19 倘若你们光明正大地对待了耶路·巴力一家,愿你们给亚比米勒带来快乐,也愿亚比米勒给你们带来快乐。 20 否则,愿亚比米勒烧灭你们示剑人和米罗人,也愿你们示剑人和米罗人烧灭亚比米勒。” 21 约坦因惧怕他的兄弟亚比米勒,就逃往比珥居住。
亚比米勒毁灭示剑
22 亚比米勒治理以色列三年后, 23 上帝派遣一个邪灵挑起亚比米勒和示剑人之间的争端,示剑人用诡诈的手段对待亚比米勒。 24 这是要惩罚亚比米勒和帮他残杀耶路·巴力七十个儿子的示剑人。 25 示剑人在山顶设下埋伏,等候亚比米勒,他们抢劫所有过路的行人。有人把这事告诉了亚比米勒。
26 以别的儿子迦勒和他的弟兄来到示剑,示剑人都信任他们。 27 示剑人出城到田间采摘葡萄,踩榨葡萄汁,然后在他们的神庙中欢宴,尽情吃喝,咒诅亚比米勒。 28 以别的儿子迦勒说:“亚比米勒是谁?我们示剑人是谁,竟要服侍他?他不就是耶路·巴力的儿子吗?他的帮手不就是西布勒吗?我们为什么要服侍他?你们要服侍示剑人祖先哈抹的后代。 29 要是这百姓归我领导就好了!我会除掉亚比米勒,我会挑战他召集全军来战[a]。”
30 示剑城的官长西布勒听见以别的儿子迦勒的话,勃然大怒, 31 暗中派人对亚比米勒说:“以别的儿子迦勒和他的弟兄已经到了示剑,正在煽动全城反对你。 32 请你晚上带着部下埋伏在田间, 33 清晨日出时攻城。迦勒带着部下出来应战时,你便可以见机行事。”
34 于是,亚比米勒带领军队夜间出发,兵分四路埋伏在示剑城外。 35 早晨,以别的儿子迦勒出来站在城门口时,亚比米勒带领部下从埋伏的地方冲了出来。 36 迦勒看见他们,便对西布勒说:“看!有人正从山顶下来。”西布勒说:“你把山影看成人了吧。” 37 迦勒说:“看!有人正从山上下来,还有一队人正从占卜橡树那边的路上奔来。” 38 西布勒说:“你的豪气哪里去了?你曾说,‘亚比米勒是谁,我们竟要服侍他?’这些不就是你讥笑的人吗?出去迎战吧!” 39 于是,迦勒率领示剑人出城迎战亚比米勒。 40 迦勒败逃,亚比米勒紧追不舍,沿途有许多人受伤倒在地上,一直到城门口。 41 之后,亚比米勒住在亚鲁玛,西布勒把迦勒和他的弟兄逐出示剑。
42 第二天,示剑人出城来到田间。亚比米勒得知后, 43 把部下兵分三队,埋伏在田间,等城里的人出来时,伏击他们。 44 亚比米勒率领一队人冲到示剑的城门口,截断示剑人的退路,其他两队击杀田间的示剑人。 45 亚比米勒鏖战一天,攻陷了示剑城,杀了城内的居民,把整座城夷为平地,还撒上了盐。
46 示剑楼的人听到风声,躲进了巴力·比利土神庙的内堂。 47 亚比米勒得知后, 48 便领兵上撒门山用斧头砍下树枝,扛在肩上,并命令部下赶紧照做。 49 他们都砍下一根树枝,跟着亚比米勒把树枝堆在神庙内堂的四周,放火烧死了里面所有的人,男女约一千人。
50 随后,亚比米勒去围攻提备斯,占领了该城。 51 全城的人都逃进城中一座坚固的城楼内,锁上大门,爬上楼顶。 52 亚比米勒攻打城楼,走到城楼门口正准备放火时, 53 有个妇人扔下一块磨石,砸烂了他的头。 54 亚比米勒连忙对为他拿兵器的年轻人说:“拔刀杀了我吧,免得人们说,‘一位妇人杀了他。’”于是,那年轻人刺死了他。 55 以色列人见亚比米勒已死,便各自回家了。 56 上帝就这样使亚比米勒得到了报应,因为他残杀了自己的七十个兄弟, 57 也让示剑人因自己的一切恶行而得到了报应。耶路·巴力的儿子约坦的咒诅临到了他们。
Footnotes
- 9:29 “我会挑战他召集全军来战”参考七十士译本;希伯来文为“他对亚比米勒说:‘召集你的全军来战吧!’”
Judges 9
New International Version
Abimelek
9 Abimelek(A) son of Jerub-Baal(B) went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, 2 “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.(C)”
3 When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, “He is related to us.” 4 They gave him seventy shekels[a] of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith,(D) and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels,(E) who became his followers. 5 He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers,(F) the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham,(G) the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding.(H) 6 Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo(I) gathered beside the great tree(J) at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king.
7 When Jotham(K) was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim(L) and shouted to them, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. 8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’
9 “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’
10 “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’
11 “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’
13 “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine,(M) which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’
14 “Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’
15 “The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade;(N) but if not, then let fire come out(O) of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’(P)
16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? 17 Remember that my father fought for you and risked(Q) his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. 18 But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons(R) on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today?(S) If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out(T) from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem(U) and Beth Millo,(V) and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”
21 Then Jotham(W) fled, escaping to Beer,(X) and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelek.
22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity(Y) between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. 24 God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons,(Z) the shedding(AA) of their blood, might be avenged(AB) on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him(AC) murder his brothers. 25 In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek.
26 Now Gaal son of Ebed(AD) moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. 27 After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden(AE) them, they held a festival in the temple of their god.(AF) While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. 28 Then Gaal son of Ebed(AG) said, “Who(AH) is Abimelek, and why should we Shechemites be subject to him? Isn’t he Jerub-Baal’s son, and isn’t Zebul his deputy? Serve the family of Hamor,(AI) Shechem’s father! Why should we serve Abimelek? 29 If only this people were under my command!(AJ) Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, ‘Call out your whole army!’”[b](AK)
30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry. 31 Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, “Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. 32 Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait(AL) in the fields. 33 In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, seize the opportunity to attack them.(AM)”
34 So Abimelek and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies. 35 Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate(AN) just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place.(AO)
36 When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!”
Zebul replied, “You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men.”
37 But Gaal spoke up again: “Look, people are coming down from the central hill,[c] and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners’ tree.”
38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your big talk now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelek that we should be subject to him?’ Aren’t these the men you ridiculed?(AP) Go out and fight them!”
39 So Gaal led out[d] the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek. 40 Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled. 41 Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem.
42 The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelek. 43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies(AQ) and set an ambush(AR) in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. 44 Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down. 45 All that day Abimelek pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city(AS) and scattered salt(AT) over it.
46 On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple(AU) of El-Berith. 47 When Abimelek heard that they had assembled there, 48 he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon.(AV) He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, “Quick! Do what you have seen me do!” 49 So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelek. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people still inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.
50 Next Abimelek went to Thebez(AW) and besieged it and captured it. 51 Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women—all the people of the city—had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. 52 Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, 53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.(AX)
54 Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me,(AY) so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his servant ran him through, and he died. 55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home.
56 Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness.(AZ) The curse of Jotham(BA) son of Jerub-Baal came on them.
Footnotes
- Judges 9:4 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams
- Judges 9:29 Septuagint; Hebrew him.” Then he said to Abimelek, “Call out your whole army!”
- Judges 9:37 The Hebrew for this phrase means the navel of the earth.
- Judges 9:39 Or Gaal went out in the sight of
Judges 9
King James Version
9 And 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,
2 Speak, 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.
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 Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which 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: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6 And 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.
7 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.
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 honour God and man, and go to be promoted 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 forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted 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 put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16 Now 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;
17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, 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 maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
19 If 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:
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 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
24 That 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.
25 And 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.
26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27 And 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.
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 the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
29 And 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.
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 privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
32 Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is 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 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.
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 entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
36 And 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.
37 And 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.
38 Then 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.
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 many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust 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 looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
44 And 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.
45 And 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.
46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
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, 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.
49 And 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.
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 it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
52 And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
54 Then 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 women 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 rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
57 And 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.
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