Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his servant ran him through, and he died. New Living Translation He quickly said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!” So the young man ran him through with his sword, and he died. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. King James Bible 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 woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. New King James Version Then 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. New American Standard Bible Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. NASB 1995 Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. NASB 1977 Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest it be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. Legacy Standard Bible Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. Amplified Bible Then he called quickly to the young man who was his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. Christian Standard Bible He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, or they’ll say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died. Holman Christian Standard Bible He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, or they’ll say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died. American Standard Version Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. Contemporary English Version The soldier who carried his weapons was nearby, and Abimelech told him, "Take out your sword and kill me. I don't want people to say that I was killed by a woman!" So the soldier ran his sword through Abimelech. English Revised Version Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. GOD'S WORD® Translation He quickly called his armorbearer. He told him, "Take your sword and kill me! I don't want anyone to say, 'A woman killed Abimelech.' " His armorbearer did as he said, so Abimelech died. Good News Translation Then he quickly called the young man who was carrying his weapons and told him, "Draw your sword and kill me. I don't want it said that a woman killed me." So the young man ran him through, and he died. International Standard Version 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. NET Bible He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons, "Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say, 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man stabbed him and he died. New Heart English Bible Then he called quickly to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me, 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man thrust him through, and he died. Webster's Bible Translation Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. World English Bible Then he called hastily to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he calls quickly to the young man carrying his weapons and says to him, “Draw your sword, and you have put me to death, lest they say of me—A woman slew him”; and his young man pierced him through, and he dies. Young's Literal Translation and he calleth hastily unto the young man bearing his weapons, and saith to him, 'Draw thy sword, and thou hast put me to death, lest they say of me -- A woman slew him;' and his young man pierced him through, and he dieth. Smith's Literal Translation And he will call quickly to the youth lifting up his weapons, and he will say to him, Draw thy sword and put me to death, lest they shall say of me, A woman killed him. And his youth will thrust him through and he will die. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he called hastily to his armourbearer, and said to him: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest it should be said that I was slain by a woman. He did as he was commanded, and slew him. Catholic Public Domain Version And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him. New American Bible He immediately called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death so they will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his attendant ran him through and he died. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen he called hastily to his young armorbearer, and said to him, Draw your sword and slay me with it, that men may not say of me, A woman slew him. So the young man thrust him through, and he died. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he called hastily the boy bearing his weapons and said to him: “Draw out your sword and kill me with it, that they will not say of me, ‘A woman killed him’” and the young man pierced him through, and he died OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him: 'Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me: A woman slew him.' And his young man thrust him through, and he died. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he cried out quickly to the young man his armour-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, lest at any time they should say, A woman slew him: and his young man thrust him through and he died. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Abimelech's Punishment…53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 54He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. 55And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.… Cross References 1 Samuel 31:4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 2 Samuel 1:9-10 Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ / So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. 2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. 1 Kings 16:18 When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died Matthew 27:5 So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Acts 1:18 (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. 2 Kings 9:27 When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there. 2 Kings 1:13-14 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight. / Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.” 2 Samuel 1:14-16 So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” 1 Samuel 14:13 So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. 1 Samuel 31:5 When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. 2 Samuel 23:17 saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. 1 Kings 2:25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. 1 Kings 2:34 So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. Treasury of Scripture Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, Draw your sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. draw thy 1 Samuel 31:4,5 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it… and his young man. Jump to Previous Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Bearer Crying Died Draw Hastily Hurriedly Kill Killed Pierced Quickly Servant Slay Slew Sword Thrust Women YoungJump to Next Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Bearer Crying Died Draw Hastily Hurriedly Kill Killed Pierced Quickly Servant Slay Slew Sword Thrust Women YoungJudges 9 1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin 22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him 30. Zebul reveals it 34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt 46. He burns the hold of the god Berith 50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone 56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled. He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, In ancient warfare, an armor-bearer was a trusted aide responsible for carrying and maintaining a warrior's weapons and armor. This role required loyalty and bravery, as the armor-bearer often accompanied the warrior into battle. The urgency in Abimelech's call reflects the dire situation he faced after being mortally wounded by a millstone dropped by a woman. This moment highlights the importance of honor and reputation in ancient Near Eastern culture, where dying at the hands of a woman could be seen as shameful. “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and Israel. His ambition and ruthless actions led to his downfall. 2. Armor-bearer A young man who served Abimelech by carrying his armor. He was ordered by Abimelech to kill him to avoid the shame of being killed by a woman. 3. The Woman An unnamed woman who dropped a millstone from a tower, fatally wounding Abimelech. Her action was pivotal in fulfilling the prophecy of Abimelech's demise. 4. Shechem A significant city in Israel where Abimelech declared himself king. It became a central location for the events leading to his rise and fall. 5. The Tower of Thebez The location where Abimelech met his end. The people of Thebez had taken refuge there, and it was from this tower that the woman dropped the millstone. Teaching Points The Consequences of Pride and AmbitionAbimelech's account is a stark reminder of how unchecked ambition and pride can lead to one's destruction. His desire to be king at any cost resulted in his violent end. Divine Justice and Sovereignty God's justice is evident in the account, as Abimelech's actions are repaid in kind. This serves as a reminder that God is sovereign and will bring about justice in His timing. The Role of Unlikely Instruments in God's Plan The unnamed woman who killed Abimelech demonstrates how God can use unexpected people and means to accomplish His purposes. This encourages believers to remain humble and open to being used by God in any capacity. The Importance of Humility and Repentance Abimelech's refusal to repent and humble himself before God led to his downfall. Believers are called to live lives marked by humility and a willingness to turn from sin. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9What does the Bible say about suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide? Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)? How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)?(54) A woman slew him.--He did not, however, escape the taunt (2Samuel 11:21). We see also from the narrative of the death of Saul in 2Samuel 1:9, 1Samuel 31:4, how sensitive the ancients were about the manner of their death. The same feeling finds ample illustration in Homer and classic writers (Soph. Trach., 1,064). It was a similar feeling which made Deborah exult in the death of Sisera by the hand of a woman, and the Jews in the murder of Holofernes by Judith. It is remarkable that both of the first two Israelite kings die by suicide to avoid a death of greater shame.Verse 54. - His armour-bearer - an office of trust, entailing much intimacy. Saul loved David greatly, and he became his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21). Compare the similar incident of Saul and his armour-bearer in 1 Samuel 31:4-6. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He quicklyמְהֵרָ֜ה (mə·hê·rāh) Adverb Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly called וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read his armor-bearer, נֹשֵׂ֣א (nō·śê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take saying, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Draw שְׁלֹ֤ף (šə·lōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 8025: To pull out, up, off your sword חַרְבְּךָ֙ (ḥar·bə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword and kill me, וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי (ū·mō·wṯ·ṯê·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill lest פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest they say יֹ֥אמְרוּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say of me, לִ֖י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew ‘A woman אִשָּׁ֣ה (’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female killed him.’” הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ (hă·rā·ḡā·ṯə·hū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran [his sword] through him, וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ (way·yiḏ·qə·rê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 1856: To stab, to starve, to revile and he died. וַיָּמֹֽת׃ (way·yā·mōṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill Links Judges 9:54 NIVJudges 9:54 NLT Judges 9:54 ESV Judges 9:54 NASB Judges 9:54 KJV Judges 9:54 BibleApps.com Judges 9:54 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:54 Chinese Bible Judges 9:54 French Bible Judges 9:54 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young (Jd Judg. 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