The Downfall of Abimelech

22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 (A)And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem (B)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (C)that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. 25 And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.

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Abimelech’s Punishment

22 When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years, 23 God sent an evil spirit(A) between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully, 24 so 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. 25 The lords of Shechem rebelled against him by putting people on the tops of the mountains to ambush(B) and rob everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

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