Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Abimelek and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance of the city gate. Then two companies attacked those in the fields and struck them down. New Living Translation Abimelech 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. English Standard Version Abimelech 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. Berean Standard Bible Then 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. Berean Literal Bible And Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, and the two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields, and struck them. King James Bible And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. New King James Version Then 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. New American Standard Bible Then Abimelech and the company who was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then attacked all who were in the field and killed them. NASB 1995 Then Abimelech and the company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then dashed against all who were in the field and slew them. NASB 1977 Then Abimelech and the company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two companies then dashed against all who were in the field and slew them. Legacy Standard Bible Then Abimelech and the company who was with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; but the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and struck them down. Amplified Bible Then Abimelech and the company with him advanced forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the two other companies attacked all who were in the field and killed them. Berean Annotated Bible Then Abimelech (my father is king) 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. Christian Standard Bible Then 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then 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. American Standard Version And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed upon all that were in the field, and smote them. Contemporary English Version Abimelech and the troops with him ran to the town gate and took control of it, while two other groups attacked and killed the people who were in the fields. English Revised Version And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed upon all that were in the field, and smote them. GOD'S WORD® Translation Abimelech and his company charged the city and captured its entrance. The other two companies charged at everyone in the fields and attacked them. Good News Translation While Abimelech and his group hurried forward to guard the city gate, the other two companies attacked the people in the fields and killed them all. International Standard Version Then 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. NET Bible Abimelech and his units attacked and blocked the entrance to the city's gate. Two units then attacked all the people in the field and struck them down. New Heart English Bible Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed against all who were in the field, and struck them. Webster's Bible Translation And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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. World English Bible Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field and struck them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Abimelech and the detachments who [are] with him have pushed on, and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have pushed against all who are in the field, and strike them, Berean Literal Bible And Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, and the two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields, and struck them. Young's Literal Translation And Abimelech and the detachments who are with him have pushed on, and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have pushed against all who are in the field, and smite them, Smith's Literal Translation And Abimelech and the heads which are with him will invade, and they will stand at the door of the gate of the city: and two heads will invade upon all which are in the field, and they will smite them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWith his own company, assaulting and besieging the city: whilst the two other companies chased the enemies that were scattered about the field. Catholic Public Domain Version along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field. New American Bible Abimelech and the company with him rushed in and stood by the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and attacked them. New Revised Standard Version Abimelech 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 on all who were in the fields and killed them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Abimeleck and the company that was with him rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two other companies rushed against all the people who were in the fields, and slew them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abimelek and the division of his people walked and they stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and two divisions walked against everyone in the wilderness and they killed them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed upon all that were in the field, and smote them. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abimelech and the chiefs of companies that were with him rushed forward, and stood by the door of the gate of the city; and the two other companies rushed forward upon all that were in the field, and smote them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Shechem…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. 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. 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.… Cross References Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward 1 Samuel 11:11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together. Judges 7:20 The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” 1 Samuel 17:48 As the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. 2 Samuel 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” 2 Samuel 18:4 “I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands. Ruth 4:1 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields 2 Samuel 11:23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. 1 Samuel 30:16 So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. 1 Samuel 14:14 In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land. and struck them down. 1 Samuel 30:17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. Judges 20:48 And the men of Israel turned back against the other Benjamites and put to the sword all the cities, including the animals and everything else they found. And they burned down all the cities in their path. 1 Samuel 17:51 David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 2 Samuel 11:16-17 So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were. / And when the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of David’s servants fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. 2 Kings 9:30-33 Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. … 1 Samuel 14:1-14 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father. / Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men, / including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left. … 2 Samuel 15:10-12 Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” / Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. / While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. Treasury of Scripture And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran on all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. rushed forward Judges 9:15,20 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon… Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Jump to Previous Abimelech Abim'elech Band Bands City Companies Company Dashed Doorway Entering Entrance Position Ran Rush Rushed Slew Smote Stood StruckJump to Next Abimelech Abim'elech Band Bands City Companies Company Dashed Doorway Entering Entrance Position Ran Rush Rushed Slew Smote Stood StruckJudges 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. Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward Abimelech, the son of Gideon, sought to establish his rule over Shechem through force and treachery. His actions reflect the chaotic period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The term "rushed forward" indicates a sudden and aggressive military maneuver, typical of ancient warfare tactics. This phrase highlights Abimelech's determination and the urgency of his campaign to consolidate power. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped. 2. Shechem A significant city in the hill country of Ephraim, central to the events of Abimelech's rise and fall. It was a place of covenant renewal and later became a site of conflict. 3. The City Gate A strategic location in ancient cities, often serving as a place of commerce, judgment, and defense. Abimelech's positioning at the gate signifies a tactical move to control the city. 4. The Companies Abimelech divided his forces into companies to execute a surprise attack, demonstrating military strategy and the element of surprise. 5. The Fields The areas surrounding Shechem where the inhabitants were working or dwelling, targeted by Abimelech's forces to ensure total control and eliminate resistance. Teaching Points The Dangers of Ambition and PrideAbimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and pride. His desire for power led to destructive actions and ultimately his downfall. The Importance of Godly Leadership Abimelech's self-appointed kingship contrasts with God's design for leadership. True leadership should be God-ordained and servant-hearted. The Consequences of Sin Abimelech's actions resulted in violence and destruction, illustrating the biblical principle that sin leads to death and chaos. Strategic Planning and Its Ethical Implications While Abimelech's military strategy was effective, it was morally corrupt. Ethical considerations should guide our plans and actions. The Role of Divine Justice Despite Abimelech's temporary success, divine justice prevailed. God’s justice may be delayed but is ultimately certain. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 9:44?2. How does Judges 9:44 illustrate the consequences of Abimelech's leadership choices? 3. What can we learn about God's justice from Judges 9:44? 4. How does Judges 9:44 connect to the theme of divine retribution in Scripture? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Judges 9:44 to modern leadership roles? 6. What does Judges 9:44 teach about the importance of seeking God's guidance in decisions? 7. What does Judges 9:44 reveal about God's role in human conflict and warfare? 8. How does Judges 9:44 reflect the consequences of leadership and power struggles? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 9:44? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9? 11. How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)? 12. Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)? 13. Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)? 14. Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible? What Does Judges 9:44 Mean Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward“Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward” (Judges 9:44). • Abimelech seizes the initiative, acting on the plan set in v. 43, mirroring Gideon’s earlier surprise tactics (Judges 7:16–22). • The sudden charge fulfills his intent to exploit the enemy’s complacency at dawn, echoing strategies seen in Joshua 8:9–11. • By leading the movement himself, Abimelech follows a pattern of commanders who personally spearhead attacks—compare 1 Samuel 14:13 and 2 Samuel 18:2. took their stand at the entrance of the city gate “and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate” (Judges 9:44). • The gate is the control point of Shechem; holding it traps the townspeople inside, as in Judges 16:2–3 and 2 Kings 7:17. • Occupying the gate prevents escape and reinforces Abimelech’s claim to authority, similar to the symbolism in Ruth 4:1–11 where legal matters are settled at the gate. • This action fulfills Jotham’s earlier curse (Judges 9:20) by turning the city’s own gateway into the staging ground for judgment. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields “The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields” (Judges 9:44). • Abimelech’s three–pronged deployment resembles Gideon’s division into three companies (Judges 7:16), showing calculated, inherited strategy. • Those in the fields likely felt safe after seeing earlier skirmishes (Judges 9:42); the surprise echoes Saul’s attack on the Ammonites in 1 Samuel 11:11. • By targeting field workers, Abimelech eliminates resources and morale, a tactic also evident in 2 Kings 3:24–25. and struck them down “and struck them down” (Judges 9:44). • The phrase underscores total judgment, paralleling Israel’s mandate against Midian (Numbers 31:7) and Agag (1 Samuel 15:7–8). • This violence fulfills divine retribution pronounced in Judges 9:23–24, confirming God’s sovereignty over events even through human wickedness, as later affirmed in Proverbs 21:30 and Isaiah 10:5–7. • The swift destruction prefigures Abimelech’s own downfall (Judges 9:53–56), illustrating the principle of Galatians 6:7: “whatever a man sows, he will also reap.” summary Abimelech’s coordinated assault—charging forward, seizing the gate, sweeping the fields, and striking down every opponent—demonstrates calculated military leadership but also serves as the instrument of God’s promised judgment on Shechem. Each movement traps the city, fulfills prophecy, and foreshadows Abimelech’s coming demise, reminding readers that human schemes never escape the righteous oversight of the Lord. (44) In the entering of the gate of the city.--This time he was able to intercept the people before they could get back, and he had reserved the post of honour and peril for himself.Verse 44. - The company. The Hebrew has companies, but the sense requires the singular.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Abimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name and the companies וְהָרָאשִׁים֙ (wə·hā·rā·šîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7218: The head with him עִמּ֔וֹ (‘im·mōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with rushed forward פָּשְׁט֕וּ (pā·šə·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid and took their stand וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ (way·ya·‘am·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations at the entrance פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way of the city הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement gate. שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate The other two וּשְׁנֵ֣י (ū·šə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) companies הָֽרָאשִׁ֗ים (hā·rā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7218: The head rushed פָּֽשְׁט֛וּ (pā·šə·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid against עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who [were] אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that in the fields בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land and struck them down. וַיַּכּֽוּם׃ (way·yak·kūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural Strong's 5221: To strike Links Judges 9:44 NIVJudges 9:44 NLT Judges 9:44 ESV Judges 9:44 NASB Judges 9:44 KJV Judges 9:44 BibleApps.com Judges 9:44 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:44 Chinese Bible Judges 9:44 French Bible Judges 9:44 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:44 Abimelech and the companies that were (Jd Judg. 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