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Suci 9
Biblija: suvremeni hrvatski prijevod
Suci 9
Biblija: suvremeni hrvatski prijevod
Abimelek postaje kralj
9 Abimelek, Gideonov[a] sin, otišao je u grad Šekem gdje su živjeli njegovi ujaci. Cijeloj je majčinoj obitelji rekao: 2 »Pitajte stanovnike Šekema, misle li oni da je za njih bolje da njima vlada sedamdesetorica Jerubaalovih sinova ili samo jedan. Također, ne zaboravite da sam vaš rođak[b].«
3 Abimelekovi su ujaci razgovarali sa stanovnicima Šekema, a oni su mu se priklonili jer su mislili: »On nam je brat.«
4 Dali su mu sedamdeset srebrnjaka iz Baal Beritovog hrama. Abimelek je tim novcem unajmio nekoliko bezvrijednih, nepromišljenih ljudi, a oni su ga slijedili. 5 Otišao je u kuću svog oca u Ofri i poubijao svoju braću, Jerubaalove sinove. Sedamdesetoricu ljudi poubijao je redom na jednom kamenu. Preživio je samo Jotam, najmlađi Jerubaalov sin, koji se uspio sakriti i pobjeći. 6 Zatim su se svi stanovnici Šekema i Bet Mila okupili pod velikim hrastom pored stupa[c] u Šekemu i proglasili Abimeleka kraljem.
Jotamova basna
7 Kad su to javili Jotamu, on se popeo na vrh planine Gerizim. Dovikivao je: »Slušajte me, građani Šekema, slušajte, da bi vas slušao Bog!
8 Jednom je drveće odlučilo sebi postaviti kralja. Rekli su maslini: ‘Budi nam kralj.’
9 No maslina je odgovorila: ‘Zar da prestanem davati svoje ulje kojim se iskazuje čast bogovima i ljudima, samo zato da bih vladala drvećem?’
10 Drveće se tada obratilo smokvi: ‘Dođi i budi nam kralj.’
11 No smokva im je odgovorila: ‘Zar da prestanem donositi svoj sladak i dobar plod, samo zato da bih vladala drvećem?’
12 Tada se drveće obratilo vinovoj lozi: ‘Dođi i budi nam kralj.’
13 Ali loza je odgovorila: ‘Zar da prestanem davati svoje vino, koje veseli bogove i ljude, samo zato da bih vladala drvećem?’
14 Na kraju, sve se drveće obratilo trnovitom glogu: ‘Dođi i budi nam kralj.’
15 A glog je ovako odgovorio drveću: ‘Ako me zaista želite za svog kralja, dođite i sklonite se u moju sjenu. Ako me ne želite, iz gloga će suknuti plamen i spaliti libanonske cedrove.’
16 Jeste li, dakle, postupili vjerno i pošteno kad ste Abimeleka proglasili kraljem? Jeste li dobro postupili prema Jerubaalovoj obitelji, poštujući ono što je on za vas učinio? 17 Moj otac borio se za vas, izlagao vlastiti život da bi vas oslobodio Midjanaca. 18 A vi ste danas ustali protiv obitelji moga oca i ubili njegovih sedamdesetoricu sinova na jednom kamenu. Za kralja stanovnicima Šekema proglasili ste Abimeleka, sina njegove sluškinje, samo zato što vam je rođak. 19 Ako ste, dakle, danas postupili vjerno i pošteno prema Jerubaalu i njegovoj obitelji, onda se radujte s Abimelekom i neka se on raduje s vama. 20 Ali, ako niste, neka sukne plamen iz Abimeleka i spali stanovnike Šekema i Bet Mila. I neka sukne plamen iz stanovnika Šekema i Bet Mila te spali Abimeleka.«
21 Jotam je zatim pobjegao. Sklonio se u Beeru, gdje se i nastanio, daleko od svog brata Abimeleka.
Abimelek protiv građana Šekema
22 Abimelek je vladao Izraelom tri godine. 23 No Bog je napravio razdor između Abimeleka i stanovnika Šekema, koji su počeli smišljati kako da mu nanesu zlo. 24 Krvavi zločin počinjen nad sedamdesetoricom Jerubaalovih sinova trebao je biti osvećen na njihovom bratu Abimeleku, koji je braću poubijao, te na stanovnicima Šekema, koji su ga u tome podržali. 25 Želeći napakostiti Abimeleku, stanovnici su Šekema postavljali zasjede po planinskim vrletima i pljačkali svakoga tko je onuda prolazio. To je dojavljeno Abimeleku.
26 Gaal, Ebedov sin, doselio se u Šekem sa svojom braćom. Stanovnici Šekema pouzdali su se u njega. 27 Jednoga su dana otišli u svoje vinograde i brali grožđe. Iscijedili su ga da bi napravili vino. Potom su slavili u hramu svog boga. Jeli su, pili i proklinjali Abimeleka.
28 Gaal, Ebedov sin, rekao je: »Tko je uopće Abimelek i zašto bi mu stanovnici Šekema trebali služiti? On je Jerubaalov sin. Dakle, ne trebamo se pokoravati njemu niti njegovom zamjeniku Zebulu. Trebamo služiti ljudima iz obitelji Hamora, Šekemovog pretka. 29 Ako me imenujete ratnim zapovjednikom i slijedite u bitku, otjerat ću Abimeleka. Pozvat ću ga da skupi vojsku i krene u bitku.«
30 Kad je Zebul, upravitelj grada, čuo što govori Gaal, Ebedov sin, silno se razljutio. 31 Tajno je poslao glasnike Abimeleku s porukom:
»U grad su došli Gaal, Ebedov sin, i njegova braća. Podižu bunu protiv tebe. 32 Zato, dođi noću sa svojim ljudima. Sakrij se u poljima izvan grada i čekaj. 33 Ujutro, čim grane sunce, napadnite grad. Gaal će sa svojim ljudima izaći iz grada u borbu, a ti tada učini što možeš.«
34 Abimelek i svi njegovi ljudi krenuli su noću prema Šekemu. Sakrili su se u polju ispred grada, podijeljeni u četiri skupine. 35 Gaal, Ebedov sin, izašao je i stajao na vratima grada. Tada su se Abimelek i njegovi ljudi digli iz zasjede.
36 Kad ih je ugledao, Gaal je rekao Zebulu: »Gledaj! Ljudi dolaze s planine!«
A Zebul je odgovorio: »To ti se planinske sjene pričinjaju kao ljudi.«
37 No Gaal je ponovo pokazivao: »Pogledaj, ljudi dolaze iz smjera Središta zemlje! Druga skupina dolazi od Čarobnjakovog drveta!«[d]
38 Tada mu je Zebul rekao: »Gdje su ti sad tvoja brbljava usta kojima si govorio: ‘Tko je Abimelek da bi mu trebali služiti?’ To su ljudi o kojima si govorio s prijezirom. Sad izađi i bori se s njima!«
39 I tako je Gaal krenuo u bitku, predvodeći stanovnike Šekema protiv Abimeleka. 40 Abimelek ih je progonio, a oni su bježali. Mnogi su poginuli pred samim vratima grada. 41 Abimelek je ostao u Arumi, a Zebul je protjerao Gaala i njegovu braću iz Šekema.
42 Sutradan je Abimeleku dojavljeno da stanovnici Šekema izlaze na polja. 43 Poveo je svoje ljude. Podijelio ih je u tri skupine i postavio zasjedu na poljima. Kad je vidio ljude kako dolaze iz grada, krenuo je u napad. 44 On i njegova skupina jurišali su na ulaz u grad. Druge su dvije skupine napadale i ubijale ljude u polju. 45 Cijeloga je dana Abimelek napadao grad. Zauzeo ga je i poubijao ljude, a potom ga potpuno razorio i bacio sol po ruševinama.
46 Kad su ljudi iz Kule Šekemske[e] čuli što se dogodilo u Šekemu, sklonili su se u najsigurnijem dijelu hrama[f] boga El Berita[g]. 47 Abimeleku je dojavljeno da su se ondje okupili vođe Kule Šekemske, 48 a on se sa svim svojim ljudima popeo na planinu Salmon.
Ondje je uzeo sjekiru, nasjekao granja i podigao ga na ramena. Rekao je svojim ljudima: »Brzo! Radite isto što i ja!«
49 Svaki je čovjek nasjekao granja i krenuo za Abimelekom. Naslagali su granje ispred najsigurnijeg dijela hrama i potpalili vatru. Svi su ljudi iz Kule Šekemske izgorjeli, oko tisuću muškaraca i žena.
Abimelekova smrt
50 Potom je Abimelek otišao u Tebes, postavio opsadu oko grada i zauzeo ga. 51 U središtu je grada bila dobro utvrđena kula. Svi muškarci i žene, svi vođe naroda u gradu, zatvorili su se u kulu i zaključali vrata za sobom. Potom su se popeli na vrh kule. 52 Abimelek se s ljudima probio do kule. Prišao je vratima kako bi podmetnuo požar. 53 No jedna je žena bacila na njega mlinski kamen s vrha kule. Pao mu je na glavu i razbio mu lubanju.
54 On je brzo doviknuo svome mladom štitonoši: »Uzmi mač i ubij me, da se o meni ne bi govorilo kako me ubila žena.«
Njegov ga je štitonoša probio mačem te je Abimelek umro.
55 Kad su Izraelci vidjeli da je Abimelek mrtav, vratili su se u svoje kuće.
56 Tako se Bog osvetio Abimeleku za zločin koji je počinio protiv svog oca, kad je pobio sedamdesetoricu svoje braće. 57 Također, osvetio se i stanovnicima Šekema za sve zlo koje su učinili. Stigla ih je kletva Jotama, Jerubaalovog sina.
Footnotes
- 9,1 Gideon Doslovno »Jerubaal«, drugo ime za Gideona. Isto u 2. i 24. retku.
- 9,2 vaš rođak Doslovno: »vaša kost i vaše meso«.
- 9,6 pod velikim hrastom pored stupa Izrazi poput »veliki hrast« i »stup« odnose se na mjesto štovanja poganskih idola.
- 9,37 Središte zemlje i Čarobnjakovo drvo Lokaliteti na brežuljcima pored Šekema.
- 9,46 Kula Šekemska Vjerojatno mjesto blizu Šekema, ali ne i dio grada. Isto u 47. i 49. retku.
- 9,46 najsigurniji dio hrama Ovdje je upotrijebljena hebrejska riječ koja se rijetko koristi, a koja upućuje na najmanje dostupan dio hrama. U 1 Sam 13,6 odnosi se na skrivenu podzemnu prostoriju.
- 9,46 El Berit Drugi naziv za poganskog boga Baal Berita, koji se spominje u 8,33 i 9,4. Značenje imena je »Bog saveza.« Isto u 49. retku.
Judges 9
English Standard Version Anglicised
Judges 9
English Standard Version Anglicised
Abimelech's Conspiracy
9 Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to (A)his mother's relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, 2 “Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all (B)seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that (C)I am (D)your bone and your flesh.”
3 And his mother's relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, (E)“He is our brother.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of (F)Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired (G)worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. 5 And he went to his father's house at (H)Ophrah (I)and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. 6 And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all (J)Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.
7 When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of (K)Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. 8 (L)The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, (M)‘Reign over us.’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honoured, and go to hold sway over the trees?’ 10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go to hold sway over the trees?’ 12 And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that (N)cheers God and men and go to hold sway over the trees?’ 14 Then 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 (O)take refuge in my shade, but if not, (P)let fire come out of the bramble and devour (Q)the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with (R)Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him (S)as his deeds deserved— 17 for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, 18 and you have risen up against my father's house this day (T)and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made (U)Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, (V)because he is your relative— 19 if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then (W)rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, (X)let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” 21 And Jotham ran away and fled and went to (Y)Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother.
The Downfall of Abimelech
22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 (Z)And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem (AA)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (AB)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.
26 And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him. 27 And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into (AC)the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech. 28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, (AD)“Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of (AE)Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29 Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say[a] to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’”
30 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 to Abimelech secretly,[b] saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up[c] the city against you. 32 Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. 33 Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them (AF)as your hand finds to do.”
34 So Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies. 35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush. 36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from (AG)the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake[d] the shadow of the mountains for men.” 37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the centre of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.” 38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, (AH)‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.” 39 And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. 41 And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.
42 On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told. 43 He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and killed them. 44 Abimelech and the company that was with him (AI)rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and killed them. 45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and (AJ)he razed the city and (AK)sowed it with salt.
46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered (AL)the stronghold of the house of (AM)El-berith. 47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 And Abimelech went up to Mount (AN)Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.” 49 So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against (AO)the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 (AP)And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. 54 (AQ)Then he called quickly to the young man his armour bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. 56 (AR)Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came (AS)the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Footnotes
- Judges 9:29 Septuagint; Hebrew and he said
- Judges 9:31 Or at Tormah
- Judges 9:31 Hebrew besieging, or closing up
- Judges 9:36 Hebrew You see
Judges 9
King James Version
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.
Judges 9
New International Version
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
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