16 “Now then, if you have acted with [a]honesty and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with (A)Jerubbaal and his house, and [b]have dealt with him [c]as he deserved— 17 for my father fought for you, and [d]risked his life and saved you from the hand of Midian; 18 but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed (B)his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, (C)the son of his female slave, king over the [e]leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— 19 so if you have acted with [f]honesty and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, be joyful about Abimelech, and may he also be joyful about you. 20 But if not, may fire come out of Abimelech and consume the [g]leaders of Shechem and [h]Beth-millo; and may fire come out of the [i]leaders of Shechem and from [j]Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer; and he stayed there because of his brother Abimelech.

Shechem and Abimelech Fall

22 Now Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 (D)Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the [k]leaders of Shechem; and the [l]leaders of Shechem (E)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (F)so that the violence [m]done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal would come, and the responsibility for (G)their blood would be placed on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the [n]leaders of Shechem, who [o]encouraged him to kill his brothers. 25 The [p]leaders of Shechem set up men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who would pass by them on the road; and it was reported to Abimelech.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Judges 9:16 Or sincerity
  2. Judges 9:16 Lit if you have
  3. Judges 9:16 Lit according to the accomplishment of his hands
  4. Judges 9:17 Lit threw his soul away
  5. Judges 9:18 Or landowners
  6. Judges 9:19 Or sincerity
  7. Judges 9:20 Or landowners
  8. Judges 9:20 Or the house of Millo
  9. Judges 9:20 Or landowners
  10. Judges 9:20 Or the house of Millo
  11. Judges 9:23 Or landowners
  12. Judges 9:23 Or landowners
  13. Judges 9:24 Lit of the seventy
  14. Judges 9:24 Or landowners
  15. Judges 9:24 Lit strengthened his hands
  16. Judges 9:25 Or landowners

Bible Gateway Recommends