1 And Abimelech{H40} the son{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378} went{H3212}{(H8799)} to Shechem{H7927} unto his mother's{H517} brethren{H251}, and communed{H1696}{(H8762)} with them, and with all the family{H4940} of the house{H1004} of his mother's{H517} father{H1}, saying{H559}{(H8800)},

2 Speak{H1696}{(H8761)}, I pray you, in the ears{H241} of all the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, Whether is better{H2896} for you, either that all the sons{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378}, which are threescore and ten{H7657} persons{H376}, reign{H4910}{(H8800)} over you, or that one{H259} reign{H4910}{(H8800)} over you? remember{H2142}{(H8804)} also that I am your bone{H6106} and your flesh{H1320}.

3 And his mother's{H517} brethren{H251} spake{H1696}{(H8762)} of him in the ears{H241} of all the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927} all these words{H1697}: and their hearts{H3820} inclined{H5186}{(H8799)} to follow{H310} Abimelech{H40}; for they said{H559}{(H8804)}, He is our brother{H251}.

4 And they gave{H5414}{(H8799)} him threescore and ten{H7657} pieces of silver{H3701} out of the house{H1004} of Baalberith{H1170}, wherewith Abimelech{H40} hired{H7936}{(H8799)} vain{H7386} and light{H6348}{(H8802)} persons{H582}, which followed{H3212}{(H8799)} him{H310}.

5 And he went{H935}{(H8799)} unto his father's{H1} house{H1004} at Ophrah{H6084}, and slew{H2026}{(H8799)} his brethren{H251} the sons{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378}, being threescore and ten{H7657} persons{H376}, upon one{H259} stone{H68}: notwithstanding yet Jotham{H3147} the youngest{H6996} son{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378} was left{H3498}{(H8735)}; for he hid{H2244}{(H8738)} himself.

6 And all the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927} gathered together{H622}{(H8735)}, and all the house{H1004} of Millo{H4407}{(H8677)}{H1037}, and went{H3212}{(H8799)}, and made{H4427}{(H8686)} Abimelech{H40} king{H4428}, by the plain{H436} of the pillar{H5324}{(H8716)} that was in Shechem{H7927}.

7 And when they told{H5046}{(H8686)} it to Jotham{H3147}, he went{H3212}{(H8799)} and stood{H5975}{(H8799)} in the top{H7218} of mount{H2022} Gerizim{H1630}, and lifted up{H5375}{(H8799)} his voice{H6963}, and cried{H7121}{(H8799)}, and said{H559}{(H8799)} unto them, Hearken{H8085}{(H8798)} unto me, ye men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, that God{H430} may hearken{H8085}{(H8799)} unto you.

8 The trees{H6086} went forth{H1980}{(H8804)}{(H8676)}{H1980}{(H8800)} on a time to anoint{H4886}{(H8800)} a king{H4428} over them; and they said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the olive tree{H2132}, Reign{H4427}{(H8798)} thou over us.

9 But the olive tree{H2132} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto them, Should I leave{H2308}{(H8804)} my fatness{H1880}, wherewith by me they honour{H3513}{(H8762)} God{H430} and man{H582}, and go{H1980}{(H8804)} to be promoted{H5128}{(H8800)} over the trees{H6086}?

10 And the trees{H6086} said{H559}{(H8799)} to the fig tree{H8384}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)} thou, and reign{H4427}{(H8798)} over us.

11 But the fig tree{H8384} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto them, Should I forsake{H2308}{(H8804)} my sweetness{H4987}, and my good{H2896} fruit{H8570}, and go{H1980}{(H8804)} to be promoted{H5128}{(H8800)} over the trees{H6086}?

12 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} the trees{H6086} unto the vine{H1612}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)} thou, and reign{H4427}{(H8798)} over us.

13 And the vine{H1612} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto them, Should I leave{H2308}{(H8804)} my wine{H8492}, which cheereth{H8055}{(H8764)} God{H430} and man{H582}, and go{H1980}{(H8804)} to be promoted{H5128}{(H8800)} over the trees{H6086}?

14 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} all the trees{H6086} unto the bramble{H329}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)} thou, and reign{H4427}{(H8798)} over us.

15 And the bramble{H329} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the trees{H6086}, If in truth{H571} ye anoint{H4886}{(H8802)} me king{H4428} over you, then come{H935}{(H8798)} and put your trust{H2620}{(H8798)} in my shadow{H6738}: and if not, let fire{H784} come out{H3318}{(H8799)} of the bramble{H329}, and devour{H398}{(H8799)} the cedars{H730} of Lebanon{H3844}.

16 Now therefore, if ye have done{H6213}{(H8804)} truly{H571} and sincerely{H8549}, in that ye have made Abimelech{H40} king{H4427}{(H8686)}, and if ye have dealt{H6213}{(H8804)} well{H2896} with Jerubbaal{H3378} and his house{H1004}, and have done{H6213}{(H8804)} unto him according to the deserving{H1576} of his hands{H3027};

17 (For my father{H1} fought{H3898}{(H8738)} for you, and adventured{H7993}{(H8686)} his life{H5315} far{H5048}, and delivered{H5337}{(H8686)} you out of the hand{H3027} of Midian{H4080}:

18 And ye are risen up{H6965}{(H8804)} against my father's{H1} house{H1004} this day{H3117}, and have slain{H2026}{(H8799)} his sons{H1121}, threescore and ten{H7657} persons{H376}, upon one{H259} stone{H68}, and have made Abimelech{H40}, the son{H1121} of his maidservant{H519}, king{H4427}{(H8686)} over the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, because he is your brother{H251};)

19 If ye then have dealt{H6213}{(H8804)} truly{H571} and sincerely{H8549} with Jerubbaal{H3378} and with his house{H1004} this day{H3117}, then rejoice{H8055}{(H8798)} ye in Abimelech{H40}, and let him also rejoice{H8055}{(H8799)} in you:

20 But if not, let fire{H784} come out{H3318}{(H8799)} from Abimelech{H40}, and devour{H398}{(H8799)} the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, and the house{H1004} of Millo{H4407}{(H8677)}{H1037}; and let fire{H784} come out{H3318}{(H8799)} from the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, and from the house{H1004} of Millo{H4407}{(H8676)}{H1037}, and devour{H398}{(H8799)} Abimelech{H40}.

21 And Jotham{H3147} ran away{H1272}{(H8799)}, and fled{H5127}{(H8799)}, and went{H3212}{(H8799)} to Beer{H876}, and dwelt{H3427}{(H8799)} there, for fear{H6440} of Abimelech{H40} his brother{H251}.

22 When Abimelech{H40} had reigned{H7786}{(H8799)} three{H7969} years{H8141} over Israel{H3478},

23 Then God{H430} sent{H7971}{(H8799)} an evil{H7451} spirit{H7307} between Abimelech{H40} and the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}; and the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927} dealt treacherously{H898}{(H8799)} with Abimelech{H40}:

24 That the cruelty{H2555} done to the threescore and ten{H7657} sons{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378} might come{H935}{(H8800)}, and their blood{H1818} be laid{H7760}{(H8800)} upon Abimelech{H40} their brother{H251}, which slew{H2026}{(H8804)} them; and upon the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, which aided{H2388}{(H8765)}{H3027} him in the killing{H2026}{(H8800)} of his brethren{H251}.

25 And the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927} set{H7760}{(H8799)} liers in wait{H693}{(H8764)} for him in the top{H7218} of the mountains{H2022}, and they robbed{H1497}{(H8799)} all that came{H5674}{(H8799)} along that way{H1870} by them: and it was told{H5046}{(H8714)} Abimelech{H40}.

26 And Gaal{H1603} the son{H1121} of Ebed{H5651} came{H935}{(H8799)} with his brethren{H251}, and went over{H5674}{(H8799)} to Shechem{H7927}: and the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927} put their confidence{H982}{(H8799)} in him.

27 And they went out{H3318}{(H8799)} into the fields{H7704}, and gathered{H1219}{(H8799)} their vineyards{H3754}, and trode{H1869}{(H8799)} the grapes, and made{H6213}{(H8799)} merry{H1974}, and went{H935}{(H8799)} into the house{H1004} of their god{H430}, and did eat{H398}{(H8799)} and drink{H8354}{(H8799)}, and cursed{H7043}{(H8762)} Abimelech{H40}.

28 And Gaal{H1603} the son{H1121} of Ebed{H5651} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Who is Abimelech{H40}, and who is Shechem{H7927}, that we should serve{H5647}{(H8799)} him? is not he the son{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378}? and Zebul{H2083} his officer{H6496}? serve{H5647}{(H8798)} the men{H582} of Hamor{H2544} the father{H1} of Shechem{H7927}: for why should we serve{H5647}{(H8799)} him?

29 And would to God this people{H5971} were under{H5414}{(H8799)} my hand{H3027}! then would I remove{H5493}{(H8686)} Abimelech{H40}. And he said{H559}{(H8799)} to Abimelech{H40}, Increase{H7235}{(H8761)} thine army{H6635}, and come out{H3318}{(H8798)}.

30 And when Zebul{H2083} the ruler{H8269} of the city{H5892} heard{H8085}{(H8799)} the words{H1697} of Gaal{H1603} the son{H1121} of Ebed{H5651}, his anger{H639} was kindled{H2734}{(H8799)}.

31 And he sent{H7971}{(H8799)} messengers{H4397} unto Abimelech{H40} privily{H8649}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Behold, Gaal{H1603} the son{H1121} of Ebed{H5651} and his brethren{H251} be come{H935}{(H8802)} to Shechem{H7927}; and, behold, they fortify{H6696}{(H8802)} the city{H5892} against thee.

32 Now therefore up{H6965}{(H8798)} by night{H3915}, thou and the people{H5971} that is with thee, and lie in wait{H693}{(H8798)} in the field{H7704}:

33 And it shall be, that in the morning{H1242}, as soon as the sun{H8121} is up{H2224}{(H8800)}, thou shalt rise early{H7925}{(H8686)}, and set{H6584}{(H8804)} upon the city{H5892}: and, behold, when he and the people{H5971} that is with him come out{H3318}{(H8802)} against thee, then mayest thou do{H6213}{(H8804)} to them as thou{H3027} shalt find occasion{H4672}{(H8799)}.

34 And Abimelech{H40} rose up{H6965}{(H8799)}, and all the people{H5971} that were with him, by night{H3915}, and they laid wait{H693}{(H8799)} against Shechem{H7927} in four{H702} companies{H7218}.

35 And Gaal{H1603} the son{H1121} of Ebed{H5651} went out{H3318}{(H8799)}, and stood{H5975}{(H8799)} in the entering{H6607} of the gate{H8179} of the city{H5892}: and Abimelech{H40} rose up{H6965}{(H8799)}, and the people{H5971} that were with him, from lying in wait{H3993}.

36 And when Gaal{H1603} saw{H7200}{(H8799)} the people{H5971}, he said{H559}{(H8799)} to Zebul{H2083}, Behold, there come{H3381} people{H5971} down{H3381}{(H8802)} from the top{H7218} of the mountains{H2022}. And Zebul{H2083} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Thou seest{H7200}{(H8802)} the shadow{H6738} of the mountains{H2022} as if they were men{H582}.

37 And Gaal{H1603} spake{H1696}{(H8763)} again{H3254}{(H8686)} and said{H559}{(H8799)}, See there come{H3381} people{H5971} down{H3381}{(H8802)} by the middle{H2872} of the land{H776}, and another{H259} company{H7218} come{H935}{(H8804)} along by the plain{H436} of{H1870} Meonenim{H6049}{(H8781)}.

38 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Zebul{H2083} unto him, Where is now{H645} thy mouth{H6310}, wherewith thou saidst{H559}{(H8799)}, Who is Abimelech{H40}, that we should serve{H5647}{(H8799)} him? is not this the people{H5971} that thou hast despised{H3988}{(H8804)}? go out{H3318}{(H8798)}, I pray now{H4994}, and fight{H3898}{(H8734)} with them.

39 And Gaal{H1603} went out{H3318}{(H8799)} before{H6440} the men{H1167} of Shechem{H7927}, and fought{H3898}{(H8735)} with Abimelech{H40}.

40 And Abimelech{H40} chased{H7291}{(H8799)} him, and he fled{H5127}{(H8799)} before{H6440} him, and many{H7227} were overthrown{H5307}{(H8799)} and wounded{H2491}, even unto the entering{H6607} of the gate{H8179}.

41 And Abimelech{H40} dwelt{H3427}{(H8799)} at Arumah{H725}: and Zebul{H2083} thrust out{H1644}{(H8762)} Gaal{H1603} and his brethren{H251}, that they should not dwell{H3427}{(H8800)} in Shechem{H7927}.

42 And it came to pass on the morrow{H4283}, that the people{H5971} went out{H3318}{(H8799)} into the field{H7704}; and they told{H5046}{(H8686)} Abimelech{H40}.

43 And he took{H3947}{(H8799)} the people{H5971}, and divided{H2673}{(H8799)} them into three{H7969} companies{H7218}, and laid wait{H693}{(H8799)} in the field{H7704}, and looked{H7200}{(H8799)}, and, behold, the people{H5971} were come forth{H3318}{(H8802)} out of the city{H5892}; and he rose up{H6965}{(H8799)} against them, and smote{H5221}{(H8686)} them.

44 And Abimelech{H40}, and the company{H7218} that was with him, rushed forward{H6584}{(H8804)}, and stood{H5975}{(H8799)} in the entering{H6607} of the gate{H8179} of the city{H5892}: and the two{H8147} other companies{H7218} ran upon{H6584}{(H8804)} all the people that were in the fields{H7704}, and slew{H5221}{(H8686)} them.

45 And Abimelech{H40} fought{H3898}{(H8738)} against the city{H5892} all that day{H3117}; and he took{H3920}{(H8799)} the city{H5892}, and slew{H2026}{(H8804)} the people{H5971} that was therein, and beat down{H5422}{(H8799)} the city{H5892}, and sowed{H2232}{(H8799)} it with salt{H4417}.

46 And when all the men{H1167} of the tower{H4026} of Shechem{H7927} heard{H8085}{(H8799)} that, they entered{H935}{(H8799)} into an hold{H6877} of the house{H1004} of the god{H410} Berith{H1286}.

47 And it was told{H5046}{(H8714)} Abimelech{H40}, that all the men{H1167} of the tower{H4026} of Shechem{H7927} were gathered together{H6908}{(H8694)}.

48 And Abimelech{H40} gat him up{H5927}{(H8799)} to mount{H2022} Zalmon{H6756}, he and all the people{H5971} that were with him; and Abimelech{H40} took{H3947}{(H8799)} an axe{H7134} in his hand{H3027}, and cut down{H3772}{(H8799)} a bough{H7754} from the trees{H6086}, and took{H5375}{(H8799)} it, and laid{H7760}{(H8799)} it on his shoulder{H7926}, and said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the people{H5971} that were with him, What ye have seen{H7200}{(H8804)} me do{H6213}{(H8804)}, make haste{H4116}{(H8761)}, and do{H6213}{(H8798)} as I{H3644} have done.

49 And all the people{H5971} likewise cut down{H3772}{(H8799)} every man{H376} his bough{H7754}, and followed{H3212}{(H8799)}{H310} Abimelech{H40}, and put{H7760}{(H8799)} them to the hold{H6877}, and set{H3341}{(H8686)} the hold{H6877} on fire{H784} upon them; so that all the men{H582} of the tower{H4026} of Shechem{H7927} died{H4191}{(H8799)} also, about a thousand{H505} men{H376} and women{H802}.

50 Then went{H3212}{(H8799)} Abimelech{H40} to Thebez{H8405}, and encamped{H2583}{(H8799)} against Thebez{H8405}, and took{H3920}{(H8799)} it.

51 But there was a strong{H5797} tower{H4026} within{H8432} the city{H5892}, and thither fled{H5127}{(H8799)} all the men{H582} and women{H802}, and all they{H1167} of the city{H5892}, and shut{H5462}{(H8799)} it to them, and gat them up{H5927}{(H8799)} to the top{H1406} of the tower{H4026}.

52 And Abimelech{H40} came{H935}{(H8799)} unto the tower{H4026}, and fought{H3898}{(H8735)} against it, and went hard{H5066}{(H8799)} unto the door{H6607} of the tower{H4026} to burn{H8313}{(H8800)} it with fire{H784}.

53 And a certain{H259} woman{H802} cast{H7993}{(H8686)} a piece{H6400} of a millstone{H7393} upon Abimelech's{H40} head{H7218}, and all to brake{H7533}{(H8686)} his skull{H1538}.

54 Then he called{H7121}{(H8799)} hastily{H4120} unto the young man{H5288} his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627}, and said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Draw{H8025}{(H8798)} thy sword{H2719}, and slay{H4191}{(H8786)} me, that men say{H559}{(H8799)} not of me, A woman{H802} slew{H2026}{(H8804)} him. And his young man{H5288} thrust him through{H1856}{(H8799)}, and he died{H4191}{(H8799)}.

55 And when the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} saw{H7200}{(H8799)} that Abimelech{H40} was dead{H4191}{(H8804)}, they departed{H3212}{(H8799)} every man{H376} unto his place{H4725}.

56 Thus God{H430} rendered{H7725}{(H8686)} the wickedness{H7451} of Abimelech{H40}, which he did{H6213}{(H8804)} unto his father{H1}, in slaying{H2026}{(H8800)} his seventy{H7657} brethren{H251}:

57 And all the evil{H7451} of the men{H582} of Shechem{H7927} did God{H430} render{H7725}{(H8689)} upon their heads{H7218}: and upon them came{H935}{(H8799)} the curse{H7045} of Jotham{H3147} the son{H1121} of Jerubbaal{H3378}.