Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem and spoke to his uncles and to his mother's whole clan, saying,

1Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family,

2"Please speak in the hearing of all the citizens of Shechem, 'Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you or that one man rule over you?' Remember that I am your own flesh and blood."

2“Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”

3His mother's relatives spoke all these words about him in the hearing of all the citizens of Shechem, and they were favorable to Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother."

3And 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, “He is our brother.”

4So they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used it to hire worthless and reckless men, and they followed him.

4And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.

5He went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid.

5And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah 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.

6Then all the citizens of Shechem and of Beth-millo gathered together and proceeded to make Abimelech king at the oak of the pillar in Shechem.

6And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.

7When they told Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and called to them: Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, and may God listen to you:

7When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

8The trees decided to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Reign over us."

8The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

9But the olive tree said to them, "Should I stop giving my oil that people use to honor both God and men, and rule over the trees?"

9But 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?’

10Then the trees said to the fig tree, "Come and reign over us."

10And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’

11But the fig tree said to them, "Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, and rule over trees?"

11But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’

12Later, the trees said to the grapevine, "Come and reign over us."

12And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’

13But the grapevine said to them, "Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over trees?"

13But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’

14Finally, all the trees said to the bramble, "Come and reign over us."

14Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’

15The bramble said to the trees, "If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon."

15And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

16"Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have rewarded him appropriately for what he did--

16“Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—

17for my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you from Midian,

17for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian,

18and now you have attacked my father's family today, killed his seventy sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the citizens of Shechem 'because he is your brother'--

18and you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative—

19so if you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you.

19if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.

20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech."

20But if not, 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.”

21Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech.

21And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother.

22When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years,

22Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.

23God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,

23And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

24so that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers.

24that 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.

25The citizens of Shechem rebelled against him by putting men in ambush on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

25And 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.

26Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the citizens of Shechem trusted him.

26And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put confidence in him.

27So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.

27And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech.

28Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal, and isn't Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?

28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “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 Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him?

29If only these people were in my power, I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Gather your army and come out."

29Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’”

30When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was angry.

30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

31So he secretly sent messengers to Abimelech, saying, "Beware! Gaal son of Ebed, with his brothers, have come to Shechem and are turning the city against you.

31And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.

32Now tonight, you and the troops with you, come and wait in ambush in the countryside.

32Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field.

33Then get up early, and at sunrise attack the city. When he and the troops who are with him come out against you, do to him whatever you can."

33Then 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 as your hand finds to do.”

34So Abimelech and all the troops with him got up at night and waited in ambush for Shechem in four units.

34So Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies.

35Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. Then Abimelech and the troops who were with him got up from their ambush.

35And 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.

36When Gaal saw the troops, he said to Zebul, "Look, troops are coming down from the mountaintops!" But Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the mountains look like men to you."

36And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men.”

37Then Gaal spoke again, "Look, troops are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak."

37Gaal 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.”

38Zebul replied,"What do you have to say now? You said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Aren't these the troops you despised? Now go and fight them!"

38Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.”

39So Gaal went out leading the citizens of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

39And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Numerous bodies were strewn as far as the entrance of the city gate.

40And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.

41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem.

41And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.

42The next day when the people of Shechem went into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelech.

42On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told.

43He took the troops, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the countryside. He looked, and the people were coming out of the city, so he arose against them and struck them down.

43He 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.

44Then Abimelech and the units that were with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two units rushed against all who were in the countryside and struck them down.

44Abimelech and the company that was with him 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.

45So Abimelech fought against the city that entire day, captured it, and killed the people who were in it. Then he tore down the city and sowed it with salt.

45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.

46When all the citizens of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

46When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-berith.

47Then it was reported to Abimelech that all the citizens of the Tower of Shechem had gathered.

47Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together.

48So Abimelech and all the troops who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his ax in his hand and cut a branch from the trees. He picked up the branch, put it on his shoulder, and said to the troops who were with him, "Hurry and do what you have seen me do."

48And Abimelech went up to Mount 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.”

49Each of the troops also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire; about a thousand men and women died, including all the men of the Tower of Shechem.

49So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against 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.

50Abimelech went to Thebez, camped against it, and captured it.

50Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.

51There was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and citizens of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

51But 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.

52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.

52And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

53But a woman threw the upper portion of a millstone on Abimelech's head and fractured his skull.

53And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.

54He 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.

54Then 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.

55When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.

55And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home.

56In this way, God brought back Abimelech's evil--the evil that Abimelech had done to his father when he killed his seventy brothers.

56Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers.

57God also brought back to the men of Shechem all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

57And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.