Judges 9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Abimelech Attempts to Establish a Monarchy
9 Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s kinsfolk and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family,(A) 2 “Say in the hearing of all the lords of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”(B) 3 So his mother’s kinsfolk spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the lords of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” 4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the temple of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows who followed him.(C) 5 He went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone, but Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, for he hid himself.(D) 6 Then all the lords of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar[a] at Shechem.
The Parable of the Trees
7 When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.(E)
8 The trees once went out
to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us.’
9 The olive tree answered them,
‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil
by which gods and mortals are honored
and go to sway over the trees?’
10 Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us.’
11 But the fig tree answered them,
‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness
and my delicious fruit
and go to sway over the trees?’
12 Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us.’
13 But the vine said to them,
‘Shall I stop producing my wine
that cheers gods and mortals
and go to sway over the trees?’
14 So all the trees said to the bramble,
‘You come and reign over us.’
15 And the bramble said to the trees,
‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you,
then come and take refuge in my shade,
but if not, let fire come out of the bramble
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’(F)
16 “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his actions deserved(G)— 17 for my father fought for you and risked his life and rescued you from the hand of Midian, 18 but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your kinsman(H)— 19 if, I say, you have acted in good faith and honor with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you,(I) 20 but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let fire come out from the lords of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham ran away and fled, going to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech.
The Downfall of Abimelech
22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem, and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.(J) 24 This happened so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be avenged[b] and their blood be laid on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.(K) 25 So the lords of Shechem set ambushes against him on the mountaintops. They robbed all who passed by them along that way, and it was reported to Abimelech.
26 When Gaal son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsfolk, the lords of Shechem put confidence in him. 27 They went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards, trod them, and celebrated. Then they went into the temple of their god, ate and drank, and ridiculed Abimelech.(L) 28 Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Did not the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his officer serve the men of Hamor father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?(M) 29 If only this people were under my command! Then I would remove Abimelech; I would say[c] to him, ‘Increase your army and come out.’ ”(N)
30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah,[d] saying, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his kinsfolk have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up[e] the city against you. 32 Now therefore, go by night, you and the troops who are with you, and lie in wait in the fields. 33 Then early in the morning, as soon as the sun rises, get up and rush on the city, and when he and the troops who are with him come out against you, you may deal with them as best you can.”(O)
34 So Abimelech and all the troops with him got up by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. 35 When Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, Abimelech and the troops with him rose from the ambush. 36 And when Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “The shadows on the mountains look like people to you.” 37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from Tabbur-erez, and one company is coming from the direction of Elon-meonenim.”[f](P) 38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your boast[g] now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the troops you made light of? Go out now and fight with them.”(Q) 39 So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.(R) 40 Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. Many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. 41 So Abimelech resided at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his kinsfolk, so that they could not live on at Shechem.
42 On the following day the people went out into the fields. When Abimelech was told, 43 he took his troops and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the fields. When he looked and saw the people coming out of the city, he rose against them and killed them. 44 Abimelech and the company that was[h] with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed on all who were in the fields and killed them. 45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day; he took the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.(S)
46 When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the temple of El-berith.(T) 47 Abimelech was told that all the lords of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the troops who were with him. Abimelech took an ax in his hand, cut down a bundle of brushwood, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the troops with him, “What you have seen me do, do quickly, as I have done.”(U) 49 So every one of the troops cut down a bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and took it.(V) 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the lords of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went to the roof of the tower. 52 Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and came near to the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.(W) 54 Immediately he called to the young man who carried his armor and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So the young man thrust him through, and he died. 55 When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. 56 Thus God repaid Abimelech for the crime he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers;(X) 57 and God also made all the wickedness of the people of Shechem fall back on their heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal.(Y)
Judges 9
International Standard Version
Abimelech Attempts to Become King
9 Then Jerubbaal’s son Abimelech went to his mother’s relatives in Shechem. He spoke to the entire family of his mother’s father, telling them, 2 “Ask all the “lords”[a] of Shechem, ‘What’s better for you? That 70 men, each of them Jerubbaal’s sons, rule over you? Or that one man rule over you?’ Keep in mind that I’m like your own close relative.”[b]
3 So his mother’s relatives spoke all of this on his behalf in the presence[c] of all the “lords” of Shechem. Since they were inclined to follow Abimelech, they said, “He’s our relative!” 4 and they gave him 70 silver coins from the temple that they had built to[d] Baal-berith. Abimelech hired some worthless and useless men, who followed him 5 to his father’s house in Ophrah. There he murdered his own brothers, Jerubbaal’s sons—all 70 of them—in one place.[e] But Jerubbaal’s youngest son Jotham survived by hiding himself.
6 All the men from Shechem and Beth-millo[f] gathered together and set up Abimelech as king near the pillar erected[g] in Shechem. 7 When Jotham was informed about this, he went out, took his stand on top of Mount Gerizim, and cried out loudly, “Listen to me, you “lords” of Shechem, and God will listen to you.
“So they told the olive tree,
‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree asked them,
‘Should I stop producing my rich oils
by which both God and men are honored
and go take dominion over trees?’
10 “So the trees told the fig tree,
‘Hey you! Come and reign over us!’
11 But the fig tree asked them,
‘Should I leave my sweet, good fruit
and go take dominion over trees?’
12 “So the trees told the grape vine,
‘Hey you! Come and reign over us!’
13 But the grape vine asked them,
‘Should I leave my new wine,
which cheers God and man,
and go take dominion over trees?’
14 “So all the trees told the bramble bush,
‘Hey you! Come and reign over us!’
15 Then the bramble bush replied to the trees,
‘If you really are consecrating[j] me to rule you,
come and put your confidence in my shade;
but if not, may fire spring out from the bramble bush
and burn up the cedars[k] of Lebanon…’
16 “Now then, if you have been acting in good faith and integrity by making a king out of Abimelech, if you have treated Jerubbaal and his household appropriately by acting toward him as he deserved[l]— 17 because my father fought on your behalf, throwing away all concern for his own life, and delivered you from Midian’s domination.
18 “But now as for you, you’ve rebelled against my father’s house today. You’ve murdered his sons—70 men—in one place,[m] and you’ve installed Abimelech, the son of his mistress, as king to rule over the “lords” of Shechem, since he’s related to you. 19 So if you’ve acted in good faith and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his household today, then you’re welcome to[n] Abimelech, and he’s welcome to[o] you… 20 But if not, may fire spring out from Abimelech and consume the “lords” of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire spring out from the “lords” of Shechem and Beth-millo to consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped by running away. He went to Beer and remained there because of his brother Abimelech.
The Destruction of Shechem
22 Abimelech dominated Israel for three years. 23 Then God sent an evil spirit to divide Abimelech and the “lords” of Shechem 24 so that the violence committed against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come back on their brother Abimelech, who murdered them, and so it might come back on the “lords” of Shechem, who provoked him to murder his brothers. 25 The “lords” of Shechem sent out men to ambush him on the mountain tops, and they robbed everyone who came by them along the roads, and this was reported to Abimelech.
26 Meanwhile, Ebed’s son Gaal arrived with his relatives and crossed over into Shechem. The “lords” of Shechem put their faith in him. 27 They went out into the fields, harvested their vineyards, made some wine, and threw a party. Then they went into the temple of their god, ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech.
28 Then Ebed’s son Gaal remarked, “Who is this Abimelech? And who is Shechem? Should we serve him? Isn’t he Jerubbaal’s son? Isn’t Zebul his lieutenant? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem’s ancestor—but why are we serving him? 29 If only authority over this people were given to me. Then I would remove Abimelech!” Then he challenged Abimelech: “Build up your army and then come out and fight!”
30 When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard what Ebed’s son Gaal had said, he flew into a rage. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech in secret[p] and told him, “Look out! Ebed’s son Gaal and his family have arrived here in Shechem. Watch out! They’re stirring up the city against you. 32 So get up at night, take your soldiers with you, and wait in ambush out in the field. 33 Tomorrow morning when the sun is up, get up early and attack the city. When Gaal[q] and his army come out to fight you, do whatever you can to them.”
34 So Abimelech and his entire army got up that night and waited in ambush against Shechem in four separate companies.
35 Ebed’s son Gaal went out and stood in the entrance to the city gate while Abimelech and his army were creeping out of their ambush. 36 When Gaal saw the army, he observed to Zebul, “Look there! People are coming down from the top of the mountains.”
But Zebul replied to him, “You’re looking at morning shadows cast by the mountains. They just look[r] like men to you.”
37 Gaal spoke up again to say, “Look! People are coming down from the highest part of the land, and there’s a company approaching from the diviner’s oak tree.”[s]
38 So Zebul replied, “Right... So where’s your boasting now? You said, ‘Who is Abimelech? Should we serve him?’ Isn’t this the army that you insulted? So go out right now and fight them!”
39 So Gaal went out in full view of the “lords” of Shechem and fought Abimelech. 40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran away from him. Many fell wounded right up to the entrance to the city gate. 41 Afterwards, Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul expelled Gaal and his family so they couldn’t remain in Shechem.
42 The next day, the people went out to the field, and Abimelech learned about it. 43 So he took his army, divided it into three separate companies, and laid in ambush out in the field. When Abimelech[t] noticed the people coming out from the city, his[u] army attacked them and killed them. 44 Then Abimelech and the soldiers who were with him rushed forward and commandeered the entrance to the city gate while the other two companies ran out to kill everyone who was in the field. 45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day, captured the city, killed the people in it, then tore the city to the ground and sowed it with salt.
46 When all the “lords” at the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they retreated into the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. 47 Abimilech was told that all of the “lords” of the Shechem Tower had assembled there. 48 So he[v] went up to Mount Zalmon, accompanied by his entire army. Abimelech had an axe in his hand, so he cut down a branch from a tree, lifted it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he told the army that had accompanied[w] him, “You’ve seen what I just did. Hurry up! Do the same thing!”
49 Then his entire army also cut down a branch for each soldier, followed Abimelech to the inner chamber, and set fire to it[x] while they were inside. As a result, all the men of the tower of Shechem died, including about a thousand men and women.
The Death of Abimelech
50 Later on, Abimelech went to Thebez, set up a siege encampment there, and captured it. 51 But there was a fortified tower in the center of the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city escaped to it, shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower. 52 So Abimelech approached the tower, attacked it, and approached the tower’s gate, intending[y] to burn it down. 53 But a certain woman threw an upper millstone down on Abimelech’s head, fracturing his skull.
54 So he cried out to his young armor bearer and ordered him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me that ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 When the men of Israel noticed that Abimelech was dead, they each left for home.[z] 56 That’s how God repaid Abimelech for the evil thing he did to his father by killing his 70 brothers. 57 God also repaid[aa] the men of Shechem for their wickedness, and the curse of Jerubbaal’s son Jotham came true for them.
Footnotes
- Judges 9:2 Lit. baals; i.e. the leaders—a pun contrasting the Heb. word lords with Baal, the chief male Canaanite deity; and so through v. 47
- Judges 9:2 Lit. your skin and flesh
- Judges 9:3 Lit. hearing
- Judges 9:4 Lit. temple of
- Judges 9:5 Lit. them—on one stone
- Judges 9:6 Or and from the household of Rampart; and so throughout the chapter
- Judges 9:6 I.e. a cultic object of worship
- Judges 9:8 The Heb. lacks Once upon a time
- Judges 9:8 Or anoint
- Judges 9:15 Or anointing
- Judges 9:15 I.e. a genus of coniferous evergreen in the family Pinaceae; and so throughout the book
- Judges 9:16 Lit. as his hands acted
- Judges 9:18 Lit. men—on one stone
- Judges 9:19 Lit. then rejoice in
- Judges 9:19 Lit. and let him rejoice in
- Judges 9:31 Or in Tormah
- Judges 9:33 Lit. he
- Judges 9:36 Lit. mountains. You are seeing
- Judges 9:37 Or from Elon-meonenim
- Judges 9:43 Lit. he
- Judges 9:43 Lit. the
- Judges 9:48 Lit. Abimelech
- Judges 9:48 The Heb. lacks had accompanied
- Judges 9:49 Lit. set the inner chamber
- Judges 9:52 The Heb. lacks intending
- Judges 9:55 Lit. each man left to his place
- Judges 9:57 Lit. repaid on the heads of
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