New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,

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

2“Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.”

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."

3And 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 brother.”

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."

4So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men; and they followed him.

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.

5Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

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.

6And 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.

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.

7Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of 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!

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:

8“The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’

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

9But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?’

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?"

10“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’

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

11But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?’

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

12“Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’

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

13But the vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway 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“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’

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

15And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour 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 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 as he deserves—

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--

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

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

18but 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 female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother—

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'--

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

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.

20But if not, 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!”

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."

21And Jotham ran away and fled; and he went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

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

22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel three years,

22When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years,

23God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

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

24that the crime done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be settled and their 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.

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.

25And the men of Shechem set 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.

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.

26Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

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

27So they went out into the fields, and gathered grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and made merry. And they went into the house of their god, and ate and 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 Gaal the son of Ebed said, “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 Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve 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 this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech.” So he said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out!”

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 the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was aroused.

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

31And 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.

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.

32Now therefore, get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.

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

33And 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 as you find opportunity.”

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."

34So Abimelech and all the people who were with him rose by night, and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.

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

35When 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.

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.

36And 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.”

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."

37So Gaal spoke again and said, “See, people are coming down from the center of the land, and another company is coming from the Diviners’ Terebinth Tree.”

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."

38Then Zebul said to him, “Where indeed is your mouth now, with which you 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.”

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!"

39So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

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

40And Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded, to the very entrance of the gate.

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

41Then Abimelech dwelt at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they would not dwell in Shechem.

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

42And it came about on the next day that the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelech.

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

43So 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 attacked them.

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.

44Then 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.

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.

45So Abimelech fought against the city all that day; he took the city and killed the people who were in it; and he demolished the city 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.

46Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith.

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

47And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

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

48Then Abimelech went up to Mount 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.”

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."

49So each of the people likewise cut down his own bough and followed Abimelech, put them against the 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.

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.

50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it.

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

51But 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.

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.

52So 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.

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

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

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

54Then 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.

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.

55And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed, every man to his place.

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

56Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers.

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

57And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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