1 Abimelech|strong="H0040" was|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3605" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Gideon|strong="H0559". Abimelech|strong="H0040" went|strong="H0413" to|strong="H0413" his|strong="H3605" uncles who|strong="H3605" lived in|strong="H0413" the|strong="H3605" city of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927". He|strong="H1004" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" his|strong="H3605" uncles and|strong="H1121" all|strong="H3605" of|strong="H1121" his|strong="H3605" mother’s|strong="H0517" family|strong="H4940",
2 “Ask the|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H3605" city of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927" this|strong="H3588" question: ‘Is|strong="H4100" it|strong="H0518" better|strong="H2896" for|strong="H3588" you|strong="H3588" to|strong="H1696" be|strong="H0376" ruled|strong="H4910" by|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" 70 sons|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Gideon or|strong="H0518" to|strong="H1696" be|strong="H0376" ruled|strong="H4910" by|strong="H3605" only|strong="H0518" one|strong="H0259" man|strong="H0376"? Remember|strong="H2142", I|strong="H0589" am|strong="H0589" your|strong="H3605" relative|strong="H1167".’”
3 Abimelech’s|strong="H0040" uncles spoke|strong="H1696" to|strong="H0559" the|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H1697" Shechem|strong="H7927" and|strong="H0251" asked|strong="H0559" them|strong="H0853" that|strong="H3588" question|strong="H1697". The|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H1697" Shechem|strong="H7927" decided|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" follow|strong="H0310" Abimelech|strong="H0040". They|strong="H3588" said|strong="H0559", “After|strong="H0310" all|strong="H3605", he|strong="H1931" is|strong="H1931" our|strong="H3605" brother|strong="H0251".”
4 So|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5414" leaders of|strong="H1004" Shechem gave|strong="H5414" Abimelech|strong="H0040" 70 pieces of|strong="H1004" silver|strong="H3701". That|strong="H0310" silver|strong="H3701" was|strong="H0376" from|strong="H0376" the|strong="H5414" temple|strong="H1004" of|strong="H1004" the|strong="H5414" god|strong="H5414" Baal Berith. Abimelech|strong="H0040" used|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5414" silver|strong="H3701" to|strong="H5414" hire|strong="H7936" some|strong="H0376" men|strong="H0376". These men|strong="H0376" were|strong="H0376" worthless|strong="H7386", reckless|strong="H6348" men|strong="H0376". They|strong="H0376" followed|strong="H0310" Abimelech|strong="H0040" wherever he|strong="H0310" went|strong="H0376".
5 Abimelech went|strong="H0935" to|strong="H0935" his|strong="H5921" father’s|strong="H0001" house|strong="H1004" at|strong="H5921" Ophrah|strong="H6084" and|strong="H1121" murdered|strong="H2026" his|strong="H5921" brothers|strong="H0251". He|strong="H3588" killed|strong="H2026" the|strong="H0853" 70 sons|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" his|strong="H5921" father|strong="H0001" Gideon. He|strong="H3588" killed|strong="H2026" them|strong="H0853" all|strong="H0259" at|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" same|strong="H0259" time, but|strong="H3588" Gideon’s youngest|strong="H6996" son|strong="H1121" hid|strong="H2244" from|strong="H0935" Abimelech and|strong="H1121" escaped|strong="H3498". The|strong="H0853" youngest|strong="H6996" son’s|strong="H1121" name was|strong="H0376" Jotham|strong="H3147".
6 Then|strong="H0853" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" in|strong="H1004" Shechem|strong="H7927" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" house|strong="H1004" of|strong="H4428" Millo|strong="H4407" came together|strong="H0622". Everyone|strong="H3605" gathered|strong="H0622" beside|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3605" big tree of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" pillar|strong="H5324" in|strong="H1004" Shechem|strong="H7927" and|strong="H4428" made|strong="H3605" Abimelech|strong="H0040" their|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428".
7 Jotham|strong="H3147" heard|strong="H8085" that|strong="H8085" the|strong="H0559" leaders|strong="H7218" of|strong="H0430" the|strong="H0559" city of|strong="H0430" Shechem|strong="H7927" had|strong="H0430" made|strong="H7121" Abimelech king. When|strong="H8085" he|strong="H0430" heard|strong="H8085" this|strong="H5046", he|strong="H0430" went|strong="H0413" and|strong="H0430" stood|strong="H5975" on|strong="H0413" the|strong="H0559" top|strong="H7218" of|strong="H0430" Mount|strong="H2022" Gerizim|strong="H1630" and|strong="H0430" shouted|strong="H7121" out|strong="H0413" this|strong="H5046" story to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H0559" people|strong="H8085":
8 “One|strong="H4428" day the|strong="H0559" trees|strong="H6086" decided|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" choose a|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" to|strong="H0559" rule|strong="H4428" over|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5921". The|strong="H0559" trees|strong="H6086" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" the|strong="H0559" olive|strong="H2132" tree|strong="H6086", ‘You|strong="H5921" be|strong="H4428" king|strong="H4428" over|strong="H5921" us|strong="H5921".’
9 “But|strong="H0376" the|strong="H0853" olive|strong="H2132" tree|strong="H6086" said|strong="H0559", ‘My|strong="H5921" oil is|strong="H0834" used to|strong="H0559" honor|strong="H3513" gods|strong="H0430" and|strong="H1980" humans. Should|strong="H0376" I|strong="H0834" stop|strong="H2308" making my|strong="H5921" oil just|strong="H0834" to|strong="H0559" go|strong="H1980" and|strong="H1980" sway over|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" other|strong="H0376" trees|strong="H6086"?’
10 “Then|strong="H0859" the|strong="H0559" trees|strong="H6086" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" the|strong="H0559" fig|strong="H8384" tree|strong="H6086", ‘Come and|strong="H6086" be|strong="H6086" our|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4427".’
11 “But|strong="H0559" the|strong="H0853" fig|strong="H8384" tree|strong="H6086" answered|strong="H0559", ‘Should|strong="H1980" I|strong="H0559" stop|strong="H2308" making my|strong="H5921" good|strong="H2896", sweet fruit|strong="H8570" just to|strong="H0559" go|strong="H1980" and|strong="H1980" sway over|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" other trees|strong="H6086"?’
12 “Then|strong="H0859" the|strong="H0559" trees|strong="H6086" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" the|strong="H0559" vine|strong="H1612", ‘Come and|strong="H6086" be|strong="H6086" our|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4427".’
13 “But|strong="H0376" the|strong="H0853" vine|strong="H1612" answered|strong="H0559", ‘My|strong="H5921" wine|strong="H8492" makes|strong="H8055" men|strong="H0376" and|strong="H1980" kings happy|strong="H8055". Should|strong="H0376" I|strong="H0559" stop|strong="H2308" making my|strong="H5921" wine|strong="H8492" just to|strong="H0559" go|strong="H1980" and|strong="H1980" sway over|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" trees|strong="H6086"?’
14 “Finally, all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" trees|strong="H6086" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H3605" thornbush, ‘Come and|strong="H6086" be|strong="H3605" our|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4427".’
15 “But|strong="H0518" the|strong="H0853" thornbush said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H0853" trees|strong="H6086", ‘If|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0859" really|strong="H0571" want to|strong="H0413" make me|strong="H0413" king|strong="H4428" over|strong="H5921" you|strong="H0859", come|strong="H0935" and|strong="H0935" find shelter|strong="H6738" in|strong="H5921" my|strong="H5921" shade|strong="H6738". But|strong="H0518" if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0859" don’t|strong="H0369" want to|strong="H0413" do|strong="H0518" this|strong="H0398", let fire|strong="H0784" come|strong="H0935" out|strong="H3318" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H0853" thornbush. Let the|strong="H0853" fire|strong="H0784" burn even|strong="H0518" the|strong="H0853" cedar|strong="H0730" trees|strong="H6086" of|strong="H4428" Lebanon|strong="H3844".’
16 “Now|strong="H6258" if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" were|strong="H3027" completely honest when|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" made|strong="H6213" Abimelech|strong="H0040" king|strong="H4427", may|strong="H6213" you|strong="H0518" be|strong="H3027" happy with|strong="H5973" him|strong="H0853". And|strong="H3027" if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" have|strong="H0518" been|strong="H6258" fair|strong="H2895" to|strong="H3027" Gideon and|strong="H3027" his|strong="H0518" family|strong="H1004", and|strong="H3027" if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" have|strong="H0518" treated|strong="H6213" him|strong="H0853" as|strong="H1004" you|strong="H0518" should|strong="H0518", this|strong="H6258" is|strong="H3027" also|strong="H0853" good|strong="H2895".
17 But|strong="H0834" remember what|strong="H0834" my|strong="H5921" father|strong="H0001" did|strong="H0834" for|strong="H5921" you|strong="H0834". He|strong="H0834" fought|strong="H3898" for|strong="H5921" you|strong="H0834" and|strong="H3027" risked his|strong="H5921" life|strong="H5315" when|strong="H0834" he|strong="H0834" saved|strong="H5337" you|strong="H0834" from|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" Midianites|strong="H4080".
18 But|strong="H3588" now|strong="H3117" you|strong="H0859" have|strong="H0001" turned|strong="H1004" against|strong="H5921" my|strong="H5921" father’s|strong="H0001" family|strong="H1004". You|strong="H0859" have|strong="H0001" killed|strong="H2026" 70 of|strong="H1121" his|strong="H5921" sons|strong="H1121" all|strong="H3117" at|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" same|strong="H1931" time|strong="H3117". You|strong="H0859" made Abimelech|strong="H0040" the|strong="H0853" new king|strong="H4427" over|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" city|strong="H1931" of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927". He|strong="H1931" is|strong="H1931" only|strong="H0259" the|strong="H0853" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" my|strong="H5921" father’s|strong="H0001" slave|strong="H0519" girl. But|strong="H3588" you|strong="H0859" made him|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4427" because|strong="H3588" he|strong="H1931" is|strong="H1931" your|strong="H5921" relative|strong="H0251".
19 So|strong="H6213" if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" have|strong="H1571" been completely honest to|strong="H3117" Gideon and|strong="H1004" his|strong="H0518" family|strong="H1004" today|strong="H3117", then|strong="H2088" may|strong="H1571" you|strong="H0518" be|strong="H1571" happy|strong="H8055" with|strong="H5973" Abimelech|strong="H0040" as|strong="H3117" your|strong="H0518" king. And|strong="H1004" may|strong="H1571" he|strong="H1931" be|strong="H1571" happy|strong="H8055" with|strong="H5973" you|strong="H0518".
20 But|strong="H0518" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H1004" Shechem|strong="H7927" and|strong="H1004" the|strong="H0853" house|strong="H1004" of|strong="H1004" Millo|strong="H4407", if|strong="H0518" you|strong="H0518" have|strong="H0369" not|strong="H0369" acted right, may|strong="H1004" Abimelech|strong="H0040" destroy you|strong="H0518". And|strong="H1004" may|strong="H1004" Abimelech|strong="H0040" be|strong="H1004" destroyed|strong="H0369" too!”
21 After Jotham|strong="H3147" had|strong="H0251" said this, he|strong="H8033" ran|strong="H5127" away|strong="H1272" and|strong="H0251" escaped|strong="H5127" to|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" city named Beer|strong="H0876". He|strong="H8033" stayed|strong="H3427" there|strong="H8033" because|strong="H6440" he|strong="H8033" was|strong="H6440" afraid of|strong="H3427" his|strong="H6440" brother|strong="H0251" Abimelech|strong="H0040".
22 Abimelech|strong="H0040" ruled the|strong="H5921" Israelites|strong="H3478" for|strong="H5921" three|strong="H7969" years|strong="H8141".
25 The|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H7218" of|strong="H2022" the|strong="H3605" city of|strong="H2022" Shechem|strong="H7927" did|strong="H0834" not|strong="H1870" like|strong="H0834" Abimelech|strong="H0040" anymore. They|strong="H0834" put|strong="H7760" men|strong="H1167" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" hilltops to|strong="H5921" attack and|strong="H7218" rob|strong="H1497" everyone|strong="H3605" who|strong="H0834" went by|strong="H5921". Abimelech|strong="H0040" found out|strong="H5921" about|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" attacks.
26 A|strong="H0935" man|strong="H1121" named Gaal|strong="H1603" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Ebed|strong="H5651" and|strong="H1121" his|strong="H0935" brothers|strong="H0251" moved|strong="H0935" to|strong="H0935" the|strong="H0935" city of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927". The|strong="H0935" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H0935" city of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927" decided to|strong="H0935" trust|strong="H0982" and|strong="H1121" follow Gaal|strong="H1603".
27 One|strong="H1004" day the|strong="H0853" people of|strong="H1004" Shechem went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H0935" the|strong="H0853" vineyards|strong="H3754" to|strong="H0935" pick|strong="H1219" grapes. They|strong="H0935" squeezed the|strong="H0853" grapes to|strong="H0935" make|strong="H6213" wine. And|strong="H0935" then|strong="H3318" they|strong="H0935" had|strong="H0430" a|strong="H0935" party at|strong="H1004" the|strong="H0853" temple|strong="H1004" of|strong="H1004" their|strong="H0398" god|strong="H0430". The|strong="H0853" people ate|strong="H0398" and|strong="H0935" drank|strong="H8354" and|strong="H0935" cursed|strong="H7043" Abimelech|strong="H0040".
28 Then|strong="H0853" Gaal|strong="H1603" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Ebed|strong="H5651" said|strong="H0559", “We|strong="H0587" are|strong="H0376" the|strong="H0853" men|strong="H0376" of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927". Why|strong="H4069" should|strong="H0376" we|strong="H0587" obey Abimelech|strong="H0040"? Who|strong="H4310" does|strong="H3808" he|strong="H3588" think|strong="H0559" he|strong="H3588" is|strong="H4310"? Abimelech|strong="H0040" is|strong="H4310" one|strong="H0376" of|strong="H1121" Gideon’s sons|strong="H1121", right? And|strong="H1121" Abimelech|strong="H0040" made|strong="H5647" Zebul|strong="H2083" his|strong="H0376" officer|strong="H6496", right? We|strong="H0587" should|strong="H0376" not|strong="H3808" obey Abimelech|strong="H0040". We|strong="H0587" should|strong="H0376" follow our|strong="H3588" own|strong="H0376" people|strong="H0376", men|strong="H0376" from|strong="H0376" Hamor|strong="H2544". (Hamor|strong="H2544" was|strong="H0376" the|strong="H0853" father|strong="H0001" of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927".)
29 If you|strong="H5414" make|strong="H5414" me|strong="H5414" the|strong="H0853" commander of|strong="H3027" these|strong="H2088" people|strong="H5971", I|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4310" destroy Abimelech|strong="H0040". I|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4310" say|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0559" him|strong="H5414", ‘Get|strong="H3318" your|strong="H5414" army|strong="H6635" ready and|strong="H3027" come|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H0559" battle|strong="H6635".’”
30 Zebul|strong="H2083" was|strong="H1697" the|strong="H0853" governor|strong="H8269" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H0853" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H1121" Shechem. Zebul|strong="H2083" heard|strong="H8085" what|strong="H1697" Gaal|strong="H1603" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Ebed|strong="H5651" said|strong="H1697", and|strong="H1121" he|strong="H0853" became|strong="H2734" very|strong="H2734" angry|strong="H2734".
31 Zebul sent|strong="H7971" messengers|strong="H4397" to|strong="H0413" Abimelech|strong="H0040" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H1121" Arumah. This|strong="H0935" is|strong="H2009" the|strong="H0853" message:
32 So|strong="H6965" now|strong="H6258" you|strong="H0859" and|strong="H6965" your|strong="H0834" men|strong="H5971" should come|strong="H6965" tonight|strong="H3915" and|strong="H6965" hide|strong="H0693" in|strong="H0693" the|strong="H0834" fields|strong="H7704" outside the|strong="H0834" city.
33 When|strong="H1961" the|strong="H0834" sun|strong="H8121" comes|strong="H3318" up|strong="H7925" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0834" morning|strong="H1242", attack|strong="H6584" the|strong="H0834" city|strong="H5892". Gaal and|strong="H3027" his|strong="H5921" men|strong="H5971" will|strong="H1961" come|strong="H1961" out|strong="H3318" of|strong="H3027" the|strong="H0834" city|strong="H5892" to|strong="H0413" fight you|strong="H0834". When|strong="H1961" they|strong="H0834" come|strong="H1961" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H0413" fight, do|strong="H6213" what|strong="H0834" you|strong="H0834" can|strong="H0834" to|strong="H0413" them|strong="H0413".”
34 So|strong="H0834" Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H6965" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" soldiers|strong="H5971" got|strong="H6965" up|strong="H6965" during|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" night|strong="H3915" and|strong="H6965" went|strong="H6965" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" city. The|strong="H3605" soldiers|strong="H5971" separated into|strong="H5921" four|strong="H0702" groups|strong="H7218". They|strong="H0834" hid near|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3605" city of|strong="H7218" Shechem|strong="H7927".
35 Gaal|strong="H1603" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Ebed|strong="H5651" went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" and|strong="H1121" was|strong="H0834" standing|strong="H5975" at|strong="H5975" the|strong="H0834" entrance|strong="H6607" to|strong="H1121" the|strong="H0834" gate|strong="H8179" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H0834" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H1121" Shechem. While|strong="H0834" Gaal|strong="H1603" was|strong="H0834" standing|strong="H5975" there|strong="H5975", Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H1121" his|strong="H0834" soldiers|strong="H5971" came|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" of|strong="H1121" their|strong="H0834" hiding places|strong="H3993".
36 When|strong="H7200" Gaal|strong="H1603" saw|strong="H7200" the|strong="H0853" soldiers|strong="H0376", he|strong="H0853" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" Zebul|strong="H2083", “Look|strong="H2009", there|strong="H2009" are|strong="H0376" people|strong="H5971" coming|strong="H3381" down|strong="H3381" from|strong="H3381" the|strong="H0853" mountains|strong="H2022".”
37 But|strong="H1696" again|strong="H5750" Gaal|strong="H1603" said|strong="H0559", “Look|strong="H2009", there|strong="H2009" are|strong="H0776" some|strong="H0259" people|strong="H5971" coming|strong="H0935" down|strong="H3381" from|strong="H0935" that|strong="H0559" place|strong="H0935" over|strong="H7218" there|strong="H2009" by|strong="H1870" Land’s Navel. And|strong="H0935" there|strong="H2009"! I|strong="H2009" saw|strong="H2009" someone’s head|strong="H7218" over|strong="H7218" by|strong="H1870" Magician’s Tree.”
38 Zebul|strong="H2083" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" Gaal, “Why|strong="H0834" aren’t you|strong="H0834" bragging now|strong="H6258"? You|strong="H0834" said|strong="H0559", ‘Who|strong="H0834" is|strong="H0834" Abimelech|strong="H0040"? Why|strong="H0834" should|strong="H3588" we|strong="H3588" obey him|strong="H0413"?’ You|strong="H0834" made|strong="H0834" fun of|strong="H6310" these|strong="H2088" men|strong="H5971". Now|strong="H6258" go|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" and|strong="H6310" fight|strong="H3898" them|strong="H0413".”
39 So|strong="H3318" Gaal|strong="H1603" led|strong="H3318" the|strong="H6440" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H6440" Shechem|strong="H7927" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H6440" fight|strong="H3898" Abimelech|strong="H0040".
40 Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H6440" his|strong="H6440" men chased|strong="H7291" Gaal and|strong="H6440" his|strong="H6440" men. Gaal’s men ran|strong="H5127" back toward|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" gate|strong="H8179" of|strong="H8179" the|strong="H6440" city|strong="H8179" of|strong="H8179" Shechem, but|strong="H5127" many|strong="H7227" were|strong="H7291" killed|strong="H2491" before|strong="H6440" they|strong="H5704" could get back to|strong="H5704" the|strong="H6440" gate|strong="H8179".
41 Then|strong="H0853" Abimelech|strong="H0040" returned to|strong="H3427" the|strong="H0853" city of|strong="H3427" Arumah|strong="H0725". Zebul|strong="H2083" forced Gaal|strong="H1603" and|strong="H0251" his|strong="H3427" brothers|strong="H0251" to|strong="H3427" leave the|strong="H0853" city of|strong="H3427" Shechem|strong="H7927".
42 The|strong="H1961" next|strong="H4283" day|strong="H4283" the|strong="H1961" people|strong="H5971" of|strong="H7704" Shechem went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H1961" the|strong="H1961" fields|strong="H7704" to|strong="H1961" work. Abimelech|strong="H0040" found out|strong="H3318" about|strong="H1961" it|strong="H1961".
43 So|strong="H4480" Abimelech separated|strong="H2673" his|strong="H5921" men|strong="H5971" into|strong="H5921" three|strong="H7969" groups|strong="H7218". He|strong="H4480" wanted to|strong="H5921" attack|strong="H5221" the|strong="H0853" people|strong="H5971" of|strong="H7218" Shechem by|strong="H5921" surprise. So|strong="H4480" he|strong="H4480" hid his|strong="H5921" men|strong="H5971" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" fields|strong="H7704". When|strong="H7200" he|strong="H4480" saw|strong="H7200" the|strong="H0853" people|strong="H5971" coming|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" of|strong="H7218" the|strong="H0853" city|strong="H5892", he|strong="H4480" jumped up|strong="H6965" and|strong="H6965" attacked|strong="H5221" them|strong="H0853".
44 Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H7218" his|strong="H3605" group ran to|strong="H5921" a|strong="H0834" place|strong="H5975" near|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3605" gate|strong="H8179" to|strong="H5921" Shechem. The|strong="H3605" other|strong="H3605" two|strong="H8147" groups|strong="H7218" ran out|strong="H5921" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H0834" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" fields|strong="H7704" and|strong="H7218" killed|strong="H5221" them|strong="H5921".
45 Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H3117" his|strong="H3605" men|strong="H5971" fought|strong="H3898" against|strong="H3898" the|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H3117" Shechem all|strong="H3605" that|strong="H0834" day|strong="H3117". They|strong="H0834" captured|strong="H3920" the|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H3117" Shechem and|strong="H3117" killed|strong="H2026" its|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971". Then|strong="H0853" Abimelech|strong="H0040" tore|strong="H5422" down|strong="H5422" the|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" and|strong="H3117" threw salt|strong="H4417" over|strong="H0853" the|strong="H3605" ruins|strong="H5892".
46 There|strong="H3605" were|strong="H7927" some|strong="H3605" people|strong="H8085" who|strong="H3605" lived at|strong="H0413" the|strong="H3605" Tower|strong="H4026" of|strong="H1004" Shechem|strong="H7927". When|strong="H8085" they|strong="H0935" heard|strong="H8085" what had|strong="H0935" happened|strong="H0935" to|strong="H0413" Shechem|strong="H7927", they|strong="H0935" gathered together in|strong="H0935" the|strong="H3605" safest room|strong="H1004" of|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3605" temple|strong="H1004" of|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3605" god|strong="H0410" El|strong="H0410" Berith.
47 Abimelech|strong="H0040" heard|strong="H3588" that|strong="H3588" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" of|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Tower|strong="H4026" of|strong="H3605" Shechem|strong="H7927" had|strong="H3588" gathered|strong="H6908" together|strong="H6908".
48 So|strong="H6213" Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H3027" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" men|strong="H5971" went|strong="H5927" up|strong="H5927" to|strong="H0413" Mount|strong="H2022" Zalmon|strong="H6756". Abimelech|strong="H0040" took|strong="H3947" an|strong="H7760" ax and|strong="H3027" cut|strong="H3772" off|strong="H3772" some|strong="H3605" branches and|strong="H3027" carried|strong="H5375" them|strong="H0413" on|strong="H5921" his|strong="H3605" shoulders|strong="H7926". Then|strong="H3947" Abimelech|strong="H0040" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H3605" men|strong="H5971" with|strong="H5973" him|strong="H0413", “Hurry|strong="H4116"! Do|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" same|strong="H1931" thing|strong="H1931" that|strong="H0834" I|strong="H0834" have|strong="H0834" done|strong="H6213".”
49 So|strong="H1571" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" men|strong="H0376" cut|strong="H3772" branches and|strong="H0376" followed|strong="H0310" Abimelech|strong="H0040". They|strong="H5921" piled the|strong="H3605" branches against|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" safest room of|strong="H0376" the|strong="H3605" temple of|strong="H0376" the|strong="H3605" god El Berith. Then|strong="H0853" they|strong="H5921" set|strong="H7760" the|strong="H3605" branches on|strong="H5921" fire|strong="H0784" and|strong="H0376" burned|strong="H3341" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" room. About|strong="H5921" 1000 men|strong="H0376" and|strong="H0376" women|strong="H0802" living|strong="H0376" near|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" Tower|strong="H4026" of|strong="H0376" Shechem|strong="H7927" died|strong="H4191".
50 Then|strong="H0040" Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H0040" his|strong="H0413" men went|strong="H0413" to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H0413" city of|strong="H0413" Thebez|strong="H8405" and|strong="H0040" captured|strong="H3920" that|strong="H0040" city.
51 But|strong="H1961" inside|strong="H8432" the|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" there|strong="H8033" was|strong="H1961" a|strong="H1961" strong|strong="H5797" tower|strong="H4026", so|strong="H1961" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" leaders|strong="H1167" and|strong="H0376" other|strong="H3605" men|strong="H0376" and|strong="H0376" women|strong="H0802" of|strong="H0376" that|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" ran|strong="H5127" to|strong="H1961" the|strong="H3605" tower|strong="H4026". When|strong="H1961" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H0376" were|strong="H1961" inside|strong="H8432" the|strong="H3605" tower|strong="H4026", they|strong="H8033" locked|strong="H5462" the|strong="H3605" door behind|strong="H1157" them|strong="H5921". Then|strong="H1961" they|strong="H8033" climbed|strong="H5927" up|strong="H5927" to|strong="H1961" the|strong="H3605" roof|strong="H1406" of|strong="H0376" the|strong="H3605" tower|strong="H4026".
52 Abimelech|strong="H0040" and|strong="H0935" his|strong="H0935" men came|strong="H0935" to|strong="H0935" the|strong="H0935" tower|strong="H4026" to|strong="H0935" attack|strong="H0935" it|strong="H5704". Abimelech|strong="H0040" went|strong="H0935" up|strong="H5704" to|strong="H0935" the|strong="H0935" door|strong="H6607" of|strong="H4026" the|strong="H0935" tower|strong="H4026" to|strong="H0935" burn|strong="H8313" it|strong="H5704".
53 But|strong="H5921", while|strong="H5921" Abimelech|strong="H0040" was|strong="H0259" standing at|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" door of|strong="H7218" the|strong="H0853" tower, a|strong="H5921" woman|strong="H0802" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H0853" roof dropped|strong="H7993" a|strong="H5921" grinding stone on|strong="H5921" his|strong="H5921" head|strong="H7218". The|strong="H0853" grinding stone crushed|strong="H7533" his|strong="H5921" skull|strong="H1538".
54 Abimelech quickly|strong="H4120" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H0413" the|strong="H0559" servant|strong="H5288" who|strong="H5288" carried|strong="H5375" his|strong="H5375" weapons|strong="H3627", “Take|strong="H5375" out|strong="H0413" your|strong="H5375" sword|strong="H2719" and|strong="H0802" kill|strong="H2026" me|strong="H0413". I|strong="H0559" want you|strong="H0413" to|strong="H0413" kill|strong="H2026" me|strong="H0413" so|strong="H6435" that|strong="H7121" people|strong="H5288" will|strong="H2719" not|strong="H6435" say|strong="H0559", ‘A|strong="H5375" woman|strong="H0802" killed|strong="H2026" Abimelech.’” So|strong="H6435" the|strong="H0559" servant|strong="H5288" stabbed|strong="H1856" Abimelech with|strong="H0413" his|strong="H5375" sword|strong="H2719", and|strong="H0802" he|strong="H0802" died|strong="H4191".
55 The|strong="H3588" Israelites|strong="H3478" saw|strong="H7200" that|strong="H3588" Abimelech|strong="H0040" was|strong="H3478" dead|strong="H4191", so|strong="H4191" they|strong="H3588" all|strong="H0376" went|strong="H0376" back home|strong="H4725".
56 In|strong="H0430" that|strong="H0834" way God|strong="H0430" punished Abimelech|strong="H0040" for|strong="H0430" all the|strong="H0853" bad|strong="H7451" things|strong="H0834" he|strong="H0834" had|strong="H0834" done|strong="H6213". Abimelech|strong="H0040" sinned against his|strong="H7725" own father|strong="H0001" by|strong="H7451" killing|strong="H2026" his|strong="H7725" 70 brothers|strong="H0251".
57 God|strong="H0430" also|strong="H0853" punished the|strong="H3605" men|strong="H0376" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H3605" city of|strong="H1121" Shechem|strong="H7927" for|strong="H0413" the|strong="H3605" bad|strong="H7451" things|strong="H3605" they|strong="H0376" had|strong="H0430" done|strong="H7451". So|strong="H0935" the|strong="H3605" things|strong="H3605" said|strong="H0413" by|strong="H0413" Jotham|strong="H3147" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Gideon came|strong="H0935" true.