1 J erubbaal’s son Abimelech went to his mother’s family at Shechem. He said to them and to all those of the family of his mother’s father,

and Abimelech son of Jerubbaal goeth to Shechem, unto his mother's brethren, and speaketh unto them, and unto all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,

2 “ Speak to all the leaders of Shechem. Say to them, ‘Which is better for you? Should all seventy of Jerubbaal’s sons rule over you? Or should one man rule over you? Remember that I am your own bone and flesh.’”

`Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the masters of Shechem, Which good for you -- the ruling over you of seventy men (all the sons of Jerubbaal), or the ruling over you of one man? -- and ye have remembered that I your bone and your flesh.'

3 S o his mother’s family spoke all these words for him in the ears of the leaders of Shechem. And they decided to follow Abimelech. For they said, “He is our brother.”

And his mother's brethren speak concerning him, in the ears of all the masters of Shechem, all these words, and their heart inclineth after Abimelech, for they said, `He our brother;'

4 T hey gave him seventy pieces of silver from the family of Baal-berith. Abimelech used the money to hire wild men of no worth who followed him.

and they give to him seventy silverings out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech hireth with them men, vain and unstable, and they go after him;

5 T hen he went to his father’s house at Ophrah. And he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. He killed all seventy men upon one stone. But Jerubbaal’s youngest son Jotham was left alive, because he hid himself.

and he goeth into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slayeth his brethren, sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubbaal, is left, for he was hidden.

6 T hen all the men of Shechem and of Beth-millo gathered together. They went and made Abimelech king, by the tree that had been set up in Shechem.

And all the masters of Shechem are gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and come and cause Abimelech to reign for king at the oak of the camp which in Shechem;

7 W hen it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He called out to them in a loud voice, “Listen to me, O men of Shechem. So God may listen to you.

and they declare to Jotham, and he goeth and standeth on the top of mount Gerizim, and lifteth up his voice, and calleth, and saith to them, `Hearken unto me, O masters of Shechem, and God doth hearken unto you:

8 O ne time the trees went out to choose a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, ‘Rule over us!’

`The trees have diligently gone to anoint over them a king, and they say to the olive, Reign thou over us.

9 B ut the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my riches of oil by which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’

And the olive saith to them, Have I ceased from my fatness, by which they honour gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

10 T hen the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and rule over us!’

And the trees say to the fig, Come thou, reign over us.

11 B ut the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my good sweet fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’

And the fig saith to them, Have I ceased from my sweetness, and my good increase, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

12 S o the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and rule over us!’

`And the trees say to the vine, Come thou, reign over us.

13 B ut the vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine which makes God and men happy, and go to wave over the trees?’

And the vine saith to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is rejoicing gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

14 T hen all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘You come and rule over us!’

And all the trees say unto the bramble, Come thou, reign over us.

15 A nd the thorn bush said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are choosing me as king over you, come and be safe in my shadow. But if not, may fire come out of the thorn bush and burn up the tall trees of Lebanon.’

And the bramble saith unto the trees, If in truth ye are anointing me for king over you, come, take refuge in my shadow; and if not -- fire cometh out from the bramble, and devoureth the cedars of Lebanon.

16 “ Now it may be that you have acted in truth and honor in making Abimelech king. It may be that you have acted well toward Jerubbaal and his house, by paying him for what he did.

`And, now, if in truth and in sincerity ye have acted, when ye make Abimelech king; and if ye have done good with Jerubbaal, and with his house; and if according to the deed of his hands ye have done to him --

17 F or my father fought for you. He put his life in danger to set you free from the power of Midian.

because my father hath fought for you, and doth cast away his life from, and deliver you from the hand of Midian;

18 B ut you have gone against my father’s house today. You have killed seventy of his sons on one stone. Abimelech is the son of my father’s woman servant. And you have made him king over the people of Shechem, because he is your brother.

and ye have risen against the house of my father to-day, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he your brother --

19 I f you have acted in truth and honor toward Jerubbaal and his house today, then be happy with Abimelech. And let him be happy with you.

yea, if in truth and in sincerity ye have acted with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, rejoice ye in Abimelech, and he doth rejoice -- even he -- in you;

20 B ut if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the people of Shechem and Beth-millo. Then let it burn up Abimelech.”

and if not -- fire cometh out from Abimelech and devoureth the masters of Shechem and the house of Millo, and fire cometh out from the masters of Shechem and from the house of Millo, and devoureth Abimelech.'

21 J otham ran away from them and went to Beer. He stayed there, because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.

And Jotham hasteth, and fleeth, and goeth to Beer, and dwelleth there, from the face of Abimelech his brother.

22 A bimelech ruled over Israel for three years.

And Abimelech is prince over Israel three years,

23 T hen God sent a bad spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem were not faithful to Abimelech.

and God sendeth an evil spirit between Abimelech and the masters of Shechem, and the masters of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech,

24 G od did this to punish Abimelech and the men of Shechem, because the seventy sons of Jerubbaal were killed by their brother Abimelech. And the men of Shechem gave him the strength to do it.

for the coming in of the violence the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and of their blood to place on Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and on the masters of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brethren.

25 T he men of Shechem went against Abimelech by hiding men on the mountain tops. They robbed all who passed by them on the road. Abimelech was told about it.

And the masters of Shechem set for him ambushes on the top of the hills, and rob every one who passeth over by them in the way, and it is declared to Abimelech.

26 N ow Gaal the son of Ebed moved with his family into Shechem. And the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

And Gaal son of Ebed cometh -- also his brethren -- and they pass over into Shechem, and the masters of Shechem trust in him,

27 T hey went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vines and crushed them. Then they had a special supper in the house of their god. They ate and drank and wished bad to come to Abimelech.

and go out into the field, and gather their vineyards, and tread, and make praises, and go into the house of their god, and eat and drink, and revile Abimelech.

28 G aal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech? And who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? Is not Zebul his leader? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve Abimelech?

And Gaal son of Ebed saith, `Who Abimelech, and who Shechem, that we serve him? is not son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his commander? Serve ye the men of Hamor father of Shechem, and wherefore do we serve him -- we?

29 I f only these people were under my rule! Then I would send Abimelech away. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Make your army strong, and come out.’”

and oh that this people were in my hand -- then I turn Abimelech aside;' and he saith to Abimelech, `Increase thy host, and come out.'

30 W hen Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, he was very angry.

And Zebul, prince of the city, heareth the words of Gaal son of Ebed, and his anger burneth,

31 H e sent men to bring news to Abimelech in secret. They said, “See, Gaal the son of Ebed has come to Shechem with his family. They are turning the city against you.

and he sendeth messengers unto Abimelech deceitfully, saying, `Lo, Gaal son of Ebed and his brethren are coming into Shechem, and lo, they are fortifying the city against thee;

32 S o you and the people who are with you get up during the night and hide in the field.

and, now, rise by night, thou and the people who with thee, and lay wait in the field,

33 T hen get up early in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, and rush against the city. When Gaal and the people who are with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them.”

and it hath been, in the morning, about the rising of the sun, thou dost rise early, and hast pushed against the city; and lo, he and the people who with him are going out unto thee -- and thou hast done to him as thy hand doth find.'

34 S o Abimelech and all who were with him got up during the night. They hid and waited in four groups to fight against Shechem.

And Abimelech riseth, and all the people who with him, by night, and they lay wait against Shechem -- four detachments;

35 G aal the son of Ebed came out and stood in the city gate. And Abimelech and the people who were with him came out of their hiding places.

and Gaal son of Ebed goeth out, and standeth at the opening of the gate of the city, and Abimelech riseth -- also the people who with him -- from the ambush,

36 W hen Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, “See, men are coming down from the mountain tops!” But Zebul said to him, “It is the shadow of the mountains that looks like men to you.”

and Gaal seeth the people, and saith unto Zebul, `Lo, people are coming down from the top of the hills;' and Zebul saith unto him, `The shadow of the hills thou art seeing like men.'

37 G aal spoke again, saying, “See, men are coming down from the highest part of the land. One group is coming on the way from the oak tree of those who tell the future.”

And Gaal addeth yet to speak, and saith, `Lo, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.'

38 T hen Zebul said to him, “Where is your proud talk now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the men whom you hated? Go out now and fight with them!”

And Zebul saith unto him, `Where now thy mouth, in that thou sayest, Who Abimelech that we serve him? is not this the people against which thou hast kicked? go out, I pray thee now, and fight against it.'

39 S o Gaal went out in front of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

And Gaal goeth out before the masters of Shechem, and fighteth against Abimelech,

40 A bimelech went after Gaal. And Gaal ran away from him. Many were hurt and fell all the way to the gate.

and Abimelech pursueth him, and he fleeth from his presence, and many fall wounded -- unto the opening of the gate.

41 A bimelech stayed at Arumah. But Zebul drove out Gaal and his family so they could not stay in Shechem.

And Abimelech abideth in Arumah, and Zebul casteth out Gaal and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem.

42 T he men went out to the field the next day and told Abimelech.

And it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that the people go out to the field, and they declare to Abimelech,

43 S o he took his men and divided them into three groups, and they waited in the field. When he saw Gaal’s people coming out of the city, Abimelech went against them and killed them.

and he taketh the people, and divideth them into three detachments, and layeth wait in a field, and looketh, and lo, the people are coming out from the city, and he riseth against them, and smiteth them.

44 A bimelech and the group with him rushed and stood in the city gate. The other two groups then rushed against all who were in the field and killed them.

And Abimelech and the detachments who 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,

45 A bimelech fought against the city all that day. He took the city and killed the people who were in it. Then he destroyed the city and covered it with salt.

and Abimelech hath fought against the city all that day, and captureth the city, and the people who in it he hath slain, and he breaketh down the city, and soweth it salt.

46 A ll the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard about it. And they went into the inside room of the house of the god of El-berith.

And all the masters of the tower of Shechem hear, and go in unto the high place of the house of the god Berith,

47 A bimelech was told that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

and it is declared to Abimelech that all the masters of the tower of Shechem have gathered themselves together,

48 S o Abimelech and all who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees. Then he lifted it onto his shoulder. He said to the men who were with him, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.”

and Abimelech goeth up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people who with him, and Abimelech taketh the great axe in his hand, and cutteth off a bough of the trees, and lifteth it up, and setteth on his shoulder, and saith unto the people who with him, `What ye have seen I have done -- haste, do ye like it.'

49 S o each of the men cut down his branch also, and followed Abimelech. They put the branches around the inside room and set it on fire. So all the men of the tower of Shechem died. There were about 1, 000 men and women in all.

And all the people also cut down each one his bough, and go after Abimelech, and set at the high place, and burn by these the high place with fire, and also all the men of the tower of Shechem die, about a thousand men and women.

50 T hen Abimelech went to Thebez. He fought against it and took it.

And Abimelech goeth unto Thebez, and encampeth against Thebez, and captureth it,

51 B ut there was a strong tower in the center of the city. All the men and women and leaders of the city ran to it and shut themselves in. And they went up on the roof of the tower.

and a strong tower hath been in the midst of the city, and thither flee do all the men and the women, and all the masters of the city, and they shut behind them, and go up on the roof of the tower.

52 A bimelech came to the tower and fought against it. He went near the door of the building to burn it with fire.

And Abimelech cometh unto the tower, and fighteth against it, and draweth nigh unto the opening of the tower to burn it with fire,

53 B ut a certain woman threw a grain-crushing stone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.

and a certain woman doth cast a piece of a rider on the head of Abimelech, and breaketh his skull,

54 A bimelech was quick to call the young man who carried his heavy battle-clothes, saying, “Take your sword and kill me. Or else it will be said that a woman killed me.” So the young man killed him with a sword.

and he calleth hastily unto the young man bearing his weapons, and saith to him, `Draw thy sword, and thou hast put me to death, lest they say of me -- A woman slew him;' and his young man pierced him through, and he dieth.

55 W hen the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each man went home.

And the men of Israel see that Abimelech dead, and go each one to his place;

56 S o God punished Abimelech for the sin he had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.

and God turneth back the evil of Abimelech which he did to his father to slay his seventy brethren;

57 G od punished the men of Shechem for all their sin. The words that Jotham the son of Jerubbaal spoke against them came true.

and all the evil of the men of Shechem hath God turned back on their head, and come unto them doth the cursing of Jotham son of Jerubbaal.