| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1One day Gideon’s son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother’s family, | 1Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother, |
| 2“Ask the leading citizens of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And remember that I am your own flesh and blood!” | 2“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” |
| 3So Abimelech’s uncles gave his message to all the citizens of Shechem on his behalf. And after listening to this proposal, the people of Shechem decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative. | 3And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” |
| 4They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire some reckless troublemakers who agreed to follow him. | 4So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. |
| 5He went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers, the sons of Gideon. But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid. | 5He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 6Then all the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo called a meeting under the oak beside the pillar at Shechem and made Abimelech their king. Jotham’s Parable | 6Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king. |
| 7When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem! Listen to me if you want God to listen to you! | 7When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you. |
| 8Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king. First they said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king!’ | 8One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ |
| 9But the olive tree refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ | 9But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ |
| 10“Then they said to the fig tree, ‘You be our king!’ | 10Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’ |
| 11But the fig tree also refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ | 11But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’ |
| 12“Then they said to the grapevine, ‘You be our king!’ | 12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’ |
| 13But the grapevine also refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ | 13But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ |
| 14“Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said, ‘Come, you be our king!’ | 14Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’ |
| 15And the thornbush replied to the trees, ‘If you truly want to make me your king, come and take shelter in my shade. If not, let fire come out from me and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’” | 15But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ |
| 16Jotham continued, “Now make sure you have acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelech your king, and that you have done right by Gideon and all of his descendants. Have you treated him with the honor he deserves for all he accomplished? | 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 done to him as he deserves— |
| 17For he fought for you and risked his life when he rescued you from the Midianites. | 17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, |
| 18But today you have revolted against my father and his descendants, killing his seventy sons on one stone. And you have chosen his slave woman’s son, Abimelech, to be your king just because he is your relative. | 18but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— |
| 19“If you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Gideon and his descendants today, then may you find joy in Abimelech, and may he find joy in you. | 19if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. |
| 20But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!” | 20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” |
| 21Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech. Shechem Rebels against Abimelech | 21Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech. |
| 22After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years, | 22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, |
| 23God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted. | 23God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully, |
| 24God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon’s seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers. | 24in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. |
| 25The citizens of Shechem set an ambush for Abimelech on the hilltops and robbed everyone who passed that way. But someone warned Abimelech about their plot. | 25The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 26One day Gaal son of Ebed moved to Shechem with his brothers and gained the confidence of the leading citizens of Shechem. | 26Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him. |
| 27During the annual harvest festival at Shechem, held in the temple of the local god, the wine flowed freely, and everyone began cursing Abimelech. | 27And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech. |
| 28“Who is Abimelech?” Gaal shouted. “He’s not a true son of Shechem, so why should we be his servants? He’s merely the son of Gideon, and this Zebul is merely his deputy. Serve the true sons of Hamor, the founder of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? | 28Then Gaal 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? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? |
| 29If I were in charge here, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, ‘Get some soldiers, and come out and fight!’” | 29If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’ ” |
| 30But when Zebul, the leader of the city, heard what Gaal was saying, he was furious. | 30When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger. |
| 31He sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah, telling him, “Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to live in Shechem, and now they are inciting the city to rebel against you. | 31So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. |
| 32Come by night with an army and hide out in the fields. | 32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. |
| 33In the morning, as soon as it is daylight, attack the city. When Gaal and those who are with him come out against you, you can do with them as you wish.” | 33And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.” |
| 34So Abimelech and all his men went by night and split into four groups, stationing themselves around Shechem. | 34So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. |
| 35Gaal was standing at the city gates when Abimelech and his army came out of hiding. | 35Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places. |
| 36When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, “Look, there are people coming down from the hilltops!” Zebul replied, “It’s just the shadows on the hills that look like men.” | 36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.” |
| 37But again Gaal said, “No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners’ Oak. ” | 37Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.” |
| 38Then Zebul turned on him and asked, “Now where is that big mouth of yours? Wasn’t it you that said, ‘Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?’ The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!” | 38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!” |
| 39So Gaal led the leading citizens of Shechem into battle against Abimelech. | 39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, |
| 40But Abimelech chased him, and many of Shechem’s men were wounded and fell along the road as they retreated to the city gate. | 40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate. |
| 41Abimelech returned to Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. | 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. |
| 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields to battle. When Abimelech heard about it, | 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech. |
| 43he divided his men into three groups and set an ambush in the fields. When Abimelech saw the people coming out of the city, he and his men jumped up from their hiding places and attacked them. | 43So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. |
| 44Abimelech and his group stormed the city gate to keep the men of Shechem from getting back in, while Abimelech’s other two groups cut them down in the fields. | 44Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down. |
| 45The battle went on all day before Abimelech finally captured the city. He killed the people, leveled the city, and scattered salt all over the ground. | 45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. |
| 46When the leading citizens who lived in the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they ran and hid in the temple of Baal-berith. | 46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. |
| 47Someone reported to Abimelech that the citizens had gathered in the temple, | 47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, |
| 48so he led his forces to Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and chopped some branches from a tree, then put them on his shoulder. “Quick, do as I have done!” he told his men. | 48he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” |
| 49So each of them cut down some branches, following Abimelech’s example. They piled the branches against the walls of the temple and set them on fire. So all the people who had lived in the tower of Shechem died—about 1,000 men and women. | 49So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women. |
| 50Then Abimelech attacked the town of Thebez and captured it. | 50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. |
| 51But there was a strong tower inside the town, and all the men and women—the entire population—fled to it. They barricaded themselves in and climbed up to the roof of the tower. | 51But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. |
| 52Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, | 52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. |
| 53a woman on the roof dropped a millstone that landed on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. | 53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. |
| 54He 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. | 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. |
| 55When Abimelech’s men saw that he was dead, they disbanded and returned to their homes. | 55And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. |
| 56In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers. | 56In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers. |
| 57God also punished the men of Shechem for all their evil. So the curse of Jotham son of Gideon was fulfilled. | 57And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them. |
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