| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Jerubbaal's son Abimelech went to his mother's relatives in Shechem. He spoke to the entire family of his mother's father, telling them, | 1Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother's brothers at Shechem and spoke to them and to all his maternal grandfather's clan, saying, " |
| 2"Ask all the "lords" of Shechem, 'What's better for you? That 70 men, each of them Jerubbaal's sons, rule over you? Or that one man rule over you?' Keep in mind that I'm like your own close relative." | 2Please speak in the presence of all the lords of Shechem, 'Is it better for you that 70 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." |
| 3So his mother's relatives spoke all of this on his behalf in the presence of all the "lords" of Shechem. Since they were inclined to follow Abimelech, they said, "He's our relative!" | 3His mother's relatives spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the lords of Shechem, and they were favorable to Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." |
| 4and they gave him 70 silver coins from the temple that they had built to Baal-berith. Abimelech hired some worthless and useless men, who followed him | 4So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men with this money, and they followed him. |
| 5to his father's house in Ophrah. There he murdered his own brothers, Jerubbaal's sons—all 70 of them—in one place. But Jerubbaal's youngest son Jotham survived by hiding himself. | 5He went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his 70 brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 6All the men from Shechem and Beth-millo gathered together and set up Abimelech as king near the pillar erected in Shechem. | 6Then all the lords of Shechem and of Beth-millo gathered together and proceeded to make Abimelech king at the oak of the pillar in Shechem. |
| 7When Jotham was informed about this, he went out, took his stand on top of Mount Gerizim, and cried out loudly, "Listen to me, you "lords" of Shechem, and God will listen to you. | 7When they told Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and called to them: Listen to me, lords of Shechem, and may God listen to you: |
| 8"Once upon a time the trees went out to consecrate a king for themselves. "So they told the olive tree, 'Reign over us!' | 8The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, "Reign over us." |
| 9But the olive tree asked them, 'Should I stop producing my rich oils by which both God and men are honored and go take dominion over trees?' | 9But the olive tree said to them," Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, and rule over the trees?" |
| 10"So the trees told the fig tree, 'Hey you! Come and reign over us!' | 10Then the trees said to the fig tree," Come and reign over us." |
| 11But the fig tree asked them, 'Should I leave my sweet, good fruit and go take dominion over trees?' | 11But the fig tree said to them," Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, and rule over trees?" |
| 12"So the trees told the grape vine, 'Hey you! Come and reign over us!' | 12Later, the trees said to the grapevine," Come and reign over us." |
| 13But the grape vine asked them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go take dominion over trees?' | 13But the grapevine said to them," Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over trees?" |
| 14"So all the trees told the bramble bush, 'Hey you! Come and reign over us!' | 14Finally, all the trees said to the bramble," Come and reign over us." |
| 15Then the bramble bush replied to the trees, 'If you really are consecrating me to rule you, come and put your confidence in my shade; but if not, may fire spring out from the bramble bush and burn up the cedars of Lebanon…' | 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."" |
| 16"Now then, if you have been acting in good faith and integrity by making a king out of Abimelech, if you have treated Jerubbaal and his household appropriately by acting toward him as he deserved — | 16Now 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-- |
| 17because my father fought on your behalf, throwing away all concern for his own life, and delivered you from Midian's domination. | 17for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you from the hand of Midian, |
| 18"But now as for you, you've rebelled against my father's house today. You've murdered his sons—70 men—in one place, and you've installed Abimelech, the son of his mistress, as king to rule over the "lords" of Shechem, since he's related to you. | 18and now you have attacked my father's house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Shechem 'because he is your brother-- |
| 19So if you've acted in good faith and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his household today, then you're welcome to Abimelech, and he's welcome to you… | 19if then you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you. |
| 20But if not, may fire spring out from Abimelech and consume the "lords" of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire spring out from the "lords" of Shechem and Beth-millo to consume Abimelech." | 20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech." |
| 21Then Jotham escaped by running away. He went to Beer and remained there because of his brother Abimelech. | 21Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech. |
| 22Abimelech dominated Israel for three years. | 22When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years, |
| 23Then God sent an evil spirit to divide Abimelech and the "lords" of Shechem | 23God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully, |
| 24so that the violence committed against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come back on their brother Abimelech, who murdered them, and so it might come back on the "lords" of Shechem, who provoked him to murder his brothers. | 24so that the crime against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers. |
| 25The "lords" of Shechem sent out men to ambush him on the mountain tops, and they robbed everyone who came by them along the roads, and this was reported to Abimelech. | 25The lords of Shechem rebelled against him by putting people on the tops of the mountains to ambush and rob everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 26Meanwhile, Ebed's son Gaal arrived with his relatives and crossed over into Shechem. The "lords" of Shechem put their faith in him. | 26Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the lords of Shechem trusted him. |
| 27They 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. | 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. |
| 28Then 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? | 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? |
| 29If 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!" | 29If only these people were in my power, I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Gather your army and come out." |
| 30When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard what Ebed's son Gaal had said, he flew into a rage. | 30When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was angry. |
| 31He sent messengers to Abimelech in secret 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. | 31So he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying, "Look, Gaal son of Ebed, with his brothers, have come to Shechem and are turning the city against you. |
| 32So get up at night, take your soldiers with you, and wait in ambush out in the field. | 32Now tonight, you and the people with you are to come wait in ambush in the countryside. |
| 33Tomorrow morning when the sun is up, get up early and attack the city. When Gaal and his army come out to fight you, do whatever you can to them." | 33Then get up early, and at sunrise charge the city. When he and the people who are with him come out against you, do to him whatever you can." |
| 34So Abimelech and his entire army got up that night and waited in ambush against Shechem in four separate companies. | 34So Abimelech and all the people with him got up at night and waited in ambush for Shechem in four units. |
| 35Ebed'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. | 35Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. Then Abimelech and the people who were with him got up from their ambush. |
| 36When 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 like men to you." | 36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!" But Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the mountains look like men to you." |
| 37Gaal 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." | 37Then Gaal spoke again, "Look, people are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak." |
| 38So 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!" | 38Zebul replied, "Where is your mouthing off now? You said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Aren't these the people you despised? Now go and fight them!" |
| 39So Gaal went out in full view of the "lords" of Shechem and fought Abimelech. | 39So Gaal went out leading the lords of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, |
| 40Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran away from him. Many fell wounded right up to the entrance to the city gate. | 40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died as far as the entrance of the gate. |
| 41Afterwards, Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul expelled Gaal and his family so they couldn't remain in Shechem. | 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem. |
| 42The next day, the people went out to the field, and Abimelech learned about it. | 42The next day when the people went into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 43So he took his army, divided it into three separate companies, and laid in ambush out in the field. When Abimelech noticed the people coming out from the city, his army attacked them and killed them. | 43He took the people, 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. |
| 44Then Abimelech and the soldiers who were with him rushed forward and commandeered the entrance to the city gate while the other two companies ran out to kill everyone who was in the field. | 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. |
| 45Abimelech fought against the city all that day, captured the city, killed the people in it, then tore the city to the ground and sowed it with salt. | 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. |
| 46When all the "lords" at the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they retreated into the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. | 46When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. |
| 47Abimilech was told that all of the "lords" of the Shechem Tower had assembled there. | 47Then it was reported to Abimelech that all the lords of the Tower of Shechem had gathered together. |
| 48So he went up to Mount Zalmon, accompanied by his entire army. Abimelech had an axe in his hand, so he cut down a branch from a tree, lifted it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he told the army that had accompanied him, "You've seen what I just did. Hurry up! Do the same thing!" | 48So Abimelech and all the people 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 people who were with him, "Hurry and do what you have seen me do." |
| 49Then his entire army also cut down a branch for each soldier, followed Abimelech to the inner chamber, and set fire to it while they were inside. As a result, all the men of the tower of Shechem died, including about a thousand men and women. | 49Each person also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire around the people, and all the people in the Tower of Shechem died--about 1,000 men and women. |
| 50Later on, Abimelech went to Thebez, set up a siege encampment there, and captured it. | 50Abimelech went to Thebez, camped against it, and captured it. |
| 51But there was a fortified tower in the center of the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city escaped to it, shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower. | 51There was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and lords of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. |
| 52So Abimelech approached the tower, attacked it, and approached the tower's gate, intending to burn it down. | 52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. |
| 53But a certain woman threw an upper millstone down on Abimelech's head, fracturing his skull. | 53But a woman threw the upper portion of a millstone on Abimelech's head and fractured his skull. |
| 54So 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. | 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 thrust him through, and he died. |
| 55When the men of Israel noticed that Abimelech was dead, they each left for home. | 55When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. |
| 56That's how God repaid Abimelech for the evil thing he did to his father by killing his 70 brothers. | 56In this way, God turned back on Abimelech the evil that he had done against his father, by killing his 70 brothers. |
| 57God also repaid the men of Shechem for their wickedness, and the curse of Jerubbaal's son Jotham came true for them. | 57And God also returned all the evil of the men of Shechem on their heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came on them. |
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