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亞比米勒殺基甸眾子

耶路巴力的兒子亞比米勒到了示劍見他的眾母舅,對他們和他外祖全家的人說: 「請你們問示劍的眾人說,是耶路巴力的眾子七十人都管理你們好呢,還是一人管理你們好呢?你們又要記念我是你們的骨肉。」 他的眾母舅便將這一切話為他說給示劍人聽,示劍人的心就歸向亞比米勒。他們說:「他原是我們的弟兄。」 就從巴力比利土的廟中取了七十舍客勒銀子給亞比米勒亞比米勒用以雇了些匪徒跟隨他。 他往俄弗拉到他父親的家,將他弟兄耶路巴力的眾子七十人都殺在一塊磐石上;只剩下耶路巴力的小兒子約坦,因為他躲藏了。 示劍人和米羅人都一同聚集,往示劍橡樹旁的柱子那裡,立亞比米勒為王。

約坦宣喻責示劍人

有人將這事告訴約坦,他就去站在基利心山頂上,向眾人大聲喊叫說:「示劍人哪,你們要聽我的話,神也就聽你們的話。 有一時樹木要膏一樹為王,管理它們,就去對橄欖樹說:『請你做我們的王。』 橄欖樹回答說:『我豈肯止住供奉神和尊重人的油,飄搖在眾樹之上呢?』 10 樹木對無花果樹說:『請你來做我們的王。』 11 無花果樹回答說:『我豈肯止住所結甜美的果子,飄搖在眾樹之上呢?』 12 樹木對葡萄樹說:『請你來做我們的王。』 13 葡萄樹回答說:『我豈肯止住使神和人喜樂的新酒,飄搖在眾樹之上呢?』 14 眾樹對荊棘說:『請你來做我們的王。』 15 荊棘回答說:『你們若誠誠實實地膏我為王,就要投在我的蔭下。不然,願火從荊棘裡出來,燒滅黎巴嫩的香柏樹。』 16 現在你們立亞比米勒為王,若按誠實、正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家,這就是酬他的勞。 17 從前我父冒死為你們爭戰,救了你們脫離米甸人的手。 18 你們如今起來攻擊我的父家,將他眾子七十人殺在一塊磐石上,又立他婢女所生的兒子亞比米勒示劍人的王,他原是你們的弟兄。 19 你們如今若按誠實、正直待耶路巴力和他的家,就可因亞比米勒得歡樂,他也可因你們得歡樂。 20 不然,願火從亞比米勒發出,燒滅示劍人和米羅眾人;又願火從示劍人和米羅人中出來,燒滅亞比米勒。」 21 約坦因怕他弟兄亞比米勒,就逃跑,來到比珥,住在那裡。

22 亞比米勒管理以色列人三年。 23 神使惡魔降在亞比米勒示劍人中間,示劍人就以詭詐待亞比米勒 24 這是要叫耶路巴力七十個兒子所受的殘害歸於他們的哥哥亞比米勒,又叫那流他們血的罪歸於幫助他殺弟兄的示劍人。 25 示劍人在山頂上設埋伏,等候亞比米勒,凡從他們那裡經過的人,他們就搶奪。有人將這事告訴亞比米勒

迦勒謀攻亞比米勒

26 以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄來到示劍示劍人都信靠他。 27 示劍人出城到田間去,摘下葡萄,踹酒,設擺筵宴,進他們神的廟中吃喝,咒詛亞比米勒 28 以別的兒子迦勒說:「亞比米勒是誰,示劍是誰,使我們服侍他呢?他不是耶路巴力的兒子嗎?他的幫手不是西布勒嗎?你們可以服侍示劍的父親哈抹的後裔。我們為何服侍亞比米勒呢? 29 唯願這民歸我的手下,我就除掉亞比米勒。」迦勒又對亞比米勒說:「增添你的軍兵出來吧!」

30 邑宰西布勒聽見以別的兒子迦勒的話,就發怒, 31 悄悄地打發人去見亞比米勒,說:「以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄到了示劍,煽惑城中的民攻擊你。 32 現在你和跟隨你的人今夜起來,在田間埋伏。 33 到早晨太陽一出,你就起來闖城。迦勒和跟隨他的人出來攻擊你的時候,你便向他們見機而做。」

亞比米勒擊敗迦勒

34 於是,亞比米勒和跟隨他的眾人夜間起來,分做四隊,埋伏等候示劍人。 35 以別的兒子迦勒出去,站在城門口,亞比米勒和跟隨他的人從埋伏之處起來。 36 迦勒看見那些人,就對西布勒說:「看哪,有人從山頂上下來了。」西布勒說:「你看見山的影子,以為是人。」 37 迦勒又說:「看哪,有人從高處下來,又有一隊從米惡尼尼橡樹的路上而來。」 38 西布勒對他說:「你曾說:『亞比米勒是誰,叫我們服侍他?』你所誇的口在哪裡呢?這不是你所藐視的民嗎?你現在出去,與他們交戰吧!」 39 於是迦勒率領示劍人出去,與亞比米勒交戰。 40 亞比米勒追趕迦勒迦勒在他面前逃跑,有許多受傷仆倒的,直到城門。

41 亞比米勒住在亞魯瑪西布勒趕出迦勒和他弟兄,不准他們住在示劍 42 次日,民出到田間,有人告訴亞比米勒 43 他就把他的人分做三隊,埋伏在田間,看見示劍人從城裡出來,就起來擊殺他們。 44 亞比米勒和跟隨他的一隊向前闖去,站在城門口。那兩隊直闖到田間,擊殺了眾人。 45 亞比米勒整天攻打城,將城奪取,殺了其中的居民,將城拆毀,撒上了鹽。

焚示劍樓

46 示劍樓的人聽見了,就躲入巴力比利土廟的衛所。 47 有人告訴亞比米勒說,示劍樓的人都聚在一處, 48 亞比米勒和跟隨他的人就都上撒們山。亞比米勒手拿斧子,砍下一根樹枝,扛在肩上,對跟隨他的人說:「你們看我所行的,也當趕緊照樣行。」 49 眾人就各砍一枝,跟隨亞比米勒,把樹枝堆在衛所的四圍,放火燒了衛所,以致示劍樓的人都死了,男女約有一千。

亞比米勒被傷而亡

50 亞比米勒提備斯,向提備斯安營,就攻取了那城。 51 城中有一座堅固的樓,城裡的眾人,無論男女,都逃進樓去,關上門,上了樓頂。 52 亞比米勒到了樓前攻打,挨近樓門,要用火焚燒。 53 有一個婦人把一塊上磨石拋在亞比米勒的頭上,打破了他的腦骨。 54 他就急忙喊叫拿他兵器的少年人,對他說:「拔出你的刀來殺了我吧!免得人議論我說:『他為一個婦人所殺。』」於是少年人把他刺透,他就死了。 55 以色列人見亞比米勒死了,便各回自己的地方去了。 56 這樣,神報應亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡,就是殺了弟兄七十個人的惡。 57 示劍人的一切惡,神也都報應在他們頭上,耶路巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛歸到他們身上了。

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

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.

Abimelek

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, “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)

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.” 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. 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) 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.

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. One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’

“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

  1. Judges 9:4 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams
  2. Judges 9:29 Septuagint; Hebrew him.” Then he said to Abimelek, “Call out your whole army!”
  3. Judges 9:37 The Hebrew for this phrase means the navel of the earth.
  4. Judges 9:39 Or Gaal went out in the sight of