Judges 9:26-41
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
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.(A) 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?(B) 29 If only this people were under my command! Then I would remove Abimelech; I would say[a] to him, ‘Increase your army and come out.’ ”(C)
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,[b] saying, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his kinsfolk have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up[c] 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.”(D)
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.”[d](E) 38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your boast[e] 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.”(F) 39 So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.(G) 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.
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Judges 9:26-41
International Standard Version
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[a] 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[b] 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[c] 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.”[d]
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.
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- 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
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