| New King James Version | Berean Study 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, | 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“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 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.” |
| 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.” | 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.” |
| 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 shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow 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 on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. |
| 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 leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king. |
| 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 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. |
| 8“The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ | 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 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 replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway 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 replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’ |
| 12“Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’ | 12Then 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 replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ |
| 14“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’ | 14Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘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!’ | 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.’ |
| 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— | 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 my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian; | 17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of 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— | 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— |
| 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. | 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 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 leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders 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 ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech. |
| 22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel three years, | 22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for 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 a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. | 26Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in 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. | 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. |
| 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? | 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 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 this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster 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 governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger. |
| 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 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. |
| 32Now therefore, get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. | 32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. |
| 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.” | 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 the people who were with him rose by night, and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. | 34So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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.” |
| 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 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 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.” | 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 went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. | 39So Gaal went out before the leaders 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. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the 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 out of Shechem. |
| 42And it came about on the next day that the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelech. | 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and 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. | 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 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 46Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith. | 46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem 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. | 47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, |
| 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.” | 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 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. | 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 went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it. | 50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped 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. | 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. |
| 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 dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing 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, 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. |
| 55And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed, every man to his place. | 55And when 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 repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering 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. | 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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