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Thẩm Phán 9
New Vietnamese Bible
Thẩm Phán 9
New Vietnamese Bible
A-bi-mê-léc Mưu Đồ Soán Vị
9 Bấy giờ A-bi-mê-léc, con của Giê-ru-ba-anh đến Si-chem gặp các cậu và những bà con bên ngoại của hắn và nói với họ rằng: 2 “Hãy đi hỏi tất cả những thủ lãnh ở Si-chem xem: ‘Điều nào là tốt hơn cho các ông, tất cả bảy mươi con trai của Giê-ru-ba-anh cai trị các ông, hay chỉ cần một người cai trị các ông thôi?’ Hãy nhớ rằng tôi là máu mủ ruột thịt của các ông đó.” 3 Vậy những bà con bên ngoại của hắn lặp lại những lời này để ủng hộ hắn trước mặt những thủ lãnh của Si-chem. Lòng họ bèn nghiêng theo A-bi-mê-léc, vì họ nói: “Ông ấy là anh em của chúng ta mà.” 4 Họ bèn cho A-bi-mê-léc bảy mươi miếng bạc lấy từ quỹ trong đền thờ của Ba-anh Bê-rít. A-bi-mê-léc dùng số bạc đó mướn những kẻ du đãng hoang đàng đi theo hắn. 5 Hắn trở về nhà cha hắn ở Óp-ra, và trên một tảng đá giết chết bảy mươi anh em của hắn, là các con trai của Giê-ru-ba-anh; ngoại trừ Giô-tham, là con trai út của Giê-ru-ba-anh, còn sống sót, vì người ấy ẩn trốn. 6 Bấy giờ tất cả các thủ lãnh của Si-chem và Bết Mi-lô họp nhau lại tại trụ đá cạnh cây sồi ở Si-chem và lập A-bi-mê-léc làm vua.
Ngụ Ngôn Về Các Cây Cối
7 Khi Giô-tham nghe được tin ấy, ông bèn đi lên đỉnh đèo trên núi Ghê-ri-xim, cất tiếng lớn và nói rằng:
“Hỡi những thủ lãnh của Si-chem, xin hãy nghe tôi,
Hầu cho Đức Chúa Trời có thể nghe các ông:
8 Các cây cối đến với nhau để xức dầu
Cho một kẻ làm vua trên chúng.
Chúng đến nói với cây ô-liu rằng:
‘Hãy trị vì chúng tôi.’
9 Cây ô-liu đáp:
‘Lẽ nào ta ngừng sản xuất dầu của ta,
Là dầu các thần linh và các vua chúa tôn quý,
Mà đi dao động trên các cây cối sao?’
10 Các cây bèn đến cây vả và nói:
‘Xin hãy đến và trị vì chúng tôi.’
11 Nhưng cây vả đáp:
‘Lẽ nào ta ngừng sản xuất sự ngọt ngào của ta,
Và những trái ngọt ngon của ta,
Mà đi dao động trên các cây cối sao?’
12 Các cây bèn đến cây nho và nói:
‘Xin hãy đến và trị vì chúng tôi.’
13 Nhưng cây nho đáp:
‘Lẽ nào ta ngừng sản xuất rượu nho của ta,
Là rượu làm cho các thần linh và các phàm nhân phấn khởi,
Mà đi dao động trên các cây cối sao?’
14 Các cây bèn đến cây gai và nói:
‘Xin hãy đến và trị vì chúng tôi.’
15 Cây gai bèn nói với chúng:
‘Nếu các ngươi thật lòng muốn xức dầu cho ta làm vua trên các ngươi,
Thì hãy đến núp dưới bóng của ta;
Nếu không, lửa từ gai ta sẽ phát ra
Thiêu rụi những cây tùng hương của Li-ban.’
16 Vậy bây giờ, nếu các ông bởi lòng thành và danh dự mà tôn A-bi-mê-léc lên làm vua, nếu các ông đối xử tốt với Giê-ru-ba-anh và gia đình người, và báo đáp cho người xứng đáng với những việc người đã làm, 17 vì cha tôi đã chiến đấu cho các ông, xả thân cho các ông, và giải cứu các ông khỏi tay dân Ma-đi-an; 18 nhưng bây giờ các ông nổi lên nghịch lại gia đình của cha tôi, giết hại các con trai người, bảy mươi người chết trên một tảng đá, rồi tôn A-bi-mê-léc, con trai của tỳ thiếp người lên làm vua trên các thủ lãnh của Si-chem, bởi vì hắn là bà con của các ông, 19 vậy ngày nay, nếu các ông bởi lòng thành và danh dự mà đối với Giê-ru-ba-anh và gia đình người, thì xin các ông cứ vui vẻ với A-bi-mê-léc, và hãy để hắn vui vẻ với các ông; 20 nhưng nếu không phải, thì nguyện lửa từ A-bi-mê-léc thoát ra thiêu hủy các thủ lãnh của Si-chem và Bết Mi-lô; và nguyện lửa từ các thủ lãnh của Si-chem và Bết Mi-lô thiêu hủy A-bi-mê-léc.” 21 Nói xong, Giô-tham chạy trốn đến xứ Bê-e. Ông trốn đến đó vì sợ anh của ông là A-bi-mê-léc.
A-bi-mê-léc Thất Bại
22 A-bi-mê-léc cai trị trên Y-sơ-ra-ên được ba năm. 23 Bấy giờ Chúa cho phép một tà linh đến giữa A-bi-mê-léc và các thủ lãnh của Si-chem; và các thủ lãnh của Si-chem sinh lòng phản bội A-bi-mê-léc. 24 Điều này xảy ra để báo thù cho tội ác đối với bảy mươi con trai của Giê-ru-ba-anh, và máu của họ phải đổ lại trên A-bi-mê-léc, là anh em của họ, và là kẻ đã giết họ, đồng thời cũng đổ lại trên các thủ lãnh của Si-chem là những người đã tiếp tay cho A-bi-mê-léc để giết hại các anh em của hắn. 25 Vậy, để bày tỏ sự chống đối của họ, các thủ lãnh của Si-chem tổ chức những cuộc phục kích ở các đỉnh đèo. Họ cướp giựt những khách bộ hành qua lại các nơi đó; và người ta báo cáo cho A-bi-mê-léc biết chuyện này.
26 Lúc ấy, Ga-anh con trai Ê-bết, cùng với anh em hắn dọn vào Si-chem. Các thủ lãnh của Si-chem để lòng tin tưởng nơi hắn. 27 Chúng ra đồng, hái nho, ép rượu, và tổ chức tiệc mừng. Rồi chúng vào đền thờ thần của chúng mà ăn, uống và chế giễu A-bi-mê-léc. 28 Ga-anh con trai Ê-bết nói: “A-bi-mê-léc là ai, và chúng ta là ai trong thành Si-chem này mà phải phục vụ hắn? Há chẳng phải con trai của Giê-ru-ba-anh và Xê-bun là quan viên của hắn phải phục vụ những người của Ha-mô, tổ phụ của Si-chem hay sao? Tại sao chúng ta phải phục vụ hắn chứ? 29 Nếu dân này mà ở dưới quyền tôi, thì tôi sẽ dẹp bỏ hắn ngay. Tôi sẽ bảo A-bi-mê-léc rằng, ‘Có giỏi thì dẫn hết đạo quân của ngươi ra đây.’ ”
30 Khi Xê-bun, là quan viên cai trị thành, nghe những lời của Ga-anh con trai Ê-bên nói thế thì rất tức giận. 31 Xê-bun mật sai các sứ giả đến gặp A-bi-mê-léc tại A-ru-ma và tâu rằng: “Đây này, Ga-anh con trai Ê-bết và anh em hắn đã kéo đến Si-chem; chúng đang xúi giục dân thành chống lại vua. 32 Vậy bây giờ, ban đêm, xin vua và các đội quân của vua hãy đến và nằm phục kích ngoài đồng. 33 Đợi khi hừng đông đến, vừa khi mặt trời mọc, xin hãy tấn công vào thành; rồi khi hắn và binh sĩ của hắn kéo ra đối địch, xin vua hãy xử chúng như thế nào tuỳ ý.”
34 Vậy A-bi-mê-léc và tất cả quân lính của hắn chỗi dậy, chia thành bốn đội, đang đêm tiến đến Si-chem, và nằm phục kích ngoài đồng. 35 Khi Ga-anh con trai Ê-bết đi ra và đứng ở cổng thành, A-bi-mê-léc và các quân lính hắn từ chỗ phục kích chỗi dậy. 36 Ga-anh thấy vậy, nói với Xê-bun: “Xem kìa, có người từ trên các đỉnh núi đi xuống!” Xê-bun đáp: “Ấy chỉ là bóng mát của núi mà ông tưởng là người ta đó thôi.” 37 Ga-anh lại nói: “Xem kìa, có người đang từ giữa đồi tràn xuống, và một đội nữa đang từ hướng Cây Thầy Bói đổ về.” 38 Bấy giờ Xê-bun nói: “Những lời phách lối của ông đâu rồi? Ông là người đã nói rằng: ‘A-bi-mê-léc là ai mà chúng ta phải phục vụ hắn?’ Có phải đây là đội quân mà ông đã coi thường chăng? Vậy bây giờ xin ông hãy ra đối địch với họ đi.”
39 Vậy Ga-anh đi trước các thủ lãnh của Si-chem và ra đối địch với A-bi-mê-léc. 40 A-bi-mê-léc đánh đuổi hắn và hắn bỏ chạy trước mặt A-bi-mê-léc. Nhiều người đã tử thương và ngã xuống, đến tận cổng thành. 41 Vậy A-bi-mê-léc ở tại A-ru-ma, còn Xê-bun đuổi Ga-anh và anh em hắn đi, và chúng không còn ở trong Si-chem nữa.
42 Hôm sau, dân thành đi ra đồng. Khi nghe tin báo, 43 A-bi-mê-léc liền dẫn quân lính, chia làm ba đội, nằm phục kích ngoài đồng. Khi hắn thấy dân chúng từ trong thành đã ra đồng, hắn và quân lính hắn chỗi dậy đánh giết họ. 44 A-bi-mê-léc và đội quân đi với hắn tiến vào án ngữ cổng thành, trong khi hai đội kia tấn công những người còn ở ngoài đồng và giết họ. 45 Suốt ngày hôm đó, A-bi-mê-léc tấn công thành; hắn chiếm được thành, giết chết dân cư trong thành, phá hủy thành, và rắc muối trên nó.
46 Khi các thủ lãnh ở Tháp Si-chem nghe thế, họ liền rút vào chiến lũy của đền thờ thần Ên-Bê-rít. 47 A-bi-mê-léc được báo tin rằng tất cả các thủ lãnh của Tháp Si-chem đang họp lại trong đó. 48 A-bi-mê-léc liền lên núi Sanh-môn với đội quân hắn. Hắn lấy một cái rìu, chặt mấy nhánh cây, rồi vác lên vai. Xong hắn bảo các quân sĩ hắn rằng: “Các ngươi có thấy điều ta làm chăng. Lẹ lên. Hãy làm như ta làm.” 49 Vậy mỗi binh sĩ đều chặt các nhánh cây, vác trên vai, đi theo A-bi-mê-léc xuống chất xung quanh chiến lũy và châm lửa đốt nó. Thế là tất cả những người trong Tháp Si-chem đều chết hết; ước chừng một ngàn người, cả nam lẫn nữ.
50 Sau đó A-bi-mê-léc kéo đến Thê-be, vây lấy Thê-be, và đánh hạ thành ấy. 51 Nhưng trong thành có một cái tháp rất kiên cố. Tất cả dân chúng trong thành, cả nam lẫn nữ, và các thủ lãnh của thành đều rút vào trong tháp đó, khóa chặt cửa lại, rồi lên trên sân thượng của tháp. 52 A-bi-mê-léc bèn tiến gần và tấn công tháp. Nhưng khi hắn lại gần cổng tháp để châm lửa đốt nó, 53 thì có một phụ nữ lấy nửa trên của cối đá ném trúng đầu của hắn và làm hắn bị vỡ sọ. 54 Hắn liền gọi người lính vác binh khí cho hắn và bảo: “Hãy rút gươm ra và giết ta ngay, kẻo người ta sẽ bảo: ‘Hắn đã bị một người đàn bà giết chết.’ ” Vậy người lính trẻ đâm hắn một nhát và hắn chết. 55 Khi dân Y-sơ-ra-ên thấy rằng A-bi-mê-léc đã chết, họ đều trở về nhà mình. 56 Như thế, Đức Chúa Trời đã báo trả cho A-bi-mê-léc tội ác mà hắn đã phạm cùng cha hắn, vì hắn giết chết bảy mươi anh em của hắn. 57 Đức Chúa Trời cũng khiến mọi sự gian ác của dân Si-chem đổ lại trên đầu họ. Những lời nguyền rủa của Giô-tham, con trai Giê-ru-ba-anh đã đến trên chúng.
Judges 9
New King James Version
Judges 9
New King James Version
Abimelech’s Conspiracy
9 Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to (A)his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ‘Which is better for you, that all (B)seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and (C)bone.”
3 And his mother’s brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem; and their heart was inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our (D)brother.” 4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of (E)Baal-Berith, with which Abimelech hired (F)worthless and reckless men; and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house (G)at Ophrah and (H)killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, all of Beth Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the terebinth tree at the pillar that was in Shechem.
The Parable of the Trees
7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of (I)Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them:
“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you!
8 “The(J) trees once went forth to anoint a king over them.
And they said to the olive tree,
(K)‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree said to them,
‘Should I cease giving my oil,
(L)With which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us!’
11 But the fig tree said to them,
‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us!’
13 But the vine said to them,
‘Should I cease my new wine,
(M)Which cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over 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 truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my (N)shade;
But if not, (O)let fire come out of the bramble
And devour the (P)cedars of Lebanon!’
16 “Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and sincerity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him (Q)as[a] he deserves— 17 for my (R)father fought for you, risked his life, and (S)delivered you out of the hand of Midian; 18 (T)but you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and killed his seventy sons on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his (U)female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother— 19 if then you have acted in truth and sincerity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then (V)rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, (W)let fire come from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and Beth Millo; and let fire come from the men of Shechem and from Beth Millo and devour Abimelech!” 21 And Jotham ran away and fled; and he went to (X)Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Downfall of Abimelech
22 After Abimelech had reigned over Israel three years, 23 (Y)God sent a (Z)spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem (AA)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (AB)that the crime done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be settled and their (AC)blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who aided him in the killing of his brothers. 25 And the men of Shechem set [b]men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told Abimelech.
26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. 27 So they went out into the fields, and gathered grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and [c]made merry. And they went into (AD)the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech. 28 Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, (AE)“Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of (AF)Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29 (AG)If only this people were under my [d]authority! Then I would remove Abimelech.” So [e]he said 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 aroused. 31 And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Take note! Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and here they are, fortifying the city against you. 32 Now therefore, get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and [f]lie in wait in the field. 33 And it shall be, as soon as the sun is up in the morning, that you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may then do to them [g]as you find opportunity.”
34 So Abimelech and all the people who were with him rose by night, and [h]lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. 35 When Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance to the city gate, Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from lying in wait. 36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!”
But Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”
37 So Gaal spoke again and said, “See, people are coming down from the center of the land, and another company is coming from the [i]Diviners’ Terebinth Tree.”
38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where indeed is your mouth now, with which you (AH)said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out, if you will, and fight with them now.”
39 So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded, to the very entrance of the gate. 41 Then Abimelech dwelt at Arumah, and Zebul [j]drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they would not dwell in Shechem.
42 And it came about on the next day that the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelech. 43 So he took his people, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people, coming out of the city; and he rose against them and [k]attacked them. 44 Then Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city; and the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and killed them. 45 So Abimelech fought against the city all that day; (AI)he took the city and killed the people who were in it; and he (AJ)demolished the city and sowed it with salt.
46 Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the [l]stronghold of the temple (AK)of the god Berith. 47 And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 Then Abimelech went up to Mount (AL)Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it and laid it on his shoulder; then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done.” 49 So each of the people likewise cut down his own bough and followed Abimelech, put them against the [m]stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire above them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he [n]encamped against Thebez and took it. 51 But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women—all the people of the city—fled there and shut themselves in; then they went up to the top of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came as far as the tower and fought against it; and he drew near the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But a certain woman (AM)dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then (AN)he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So 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 to his [o]place.
56 (AO)Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. 57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came (AP)the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Footnotes
- Judges 9:16 Lit. according to the doing of his hands
- Judges 9:25 Lit. liers-in-wait for
- Judges 9:27 rejoiced
- Judges 9:29 Lit. hand
- Judges 9:29 So with MT, Tg.; DSS they; LXX I
- Judges 9:32 Set up an ambush
- Judges 9:33 Lit. as your hand can find
- Judges 9:34 Set up an ambush
- Judges 9:37 Heb. Meonenim
- Judges 9:41 exiled
- Judges 9:43 Lit. struck
- Judges 9:46 fortified room
- Judges 9:49 fortified room
- Judges 9:50 besieged
- Judges 9:55 home
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
Judges 9
English Standard Version
Judges 9
English Standard Version
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 honored, and go 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 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 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 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 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 center 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 armor-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
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