1And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, 2Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.9.2 Whether…: Heb. What is good? whether, etc 3And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.9.3 to follow: Heb. after 4And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. 5And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. 6And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.9.6 plain: or, oak
7¶ And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. 8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. 9But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?9.9 go…: or, go up and down for other trees 10And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. 11But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? 12Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. 13And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? 14Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.9.14 bramble: or, thistle 15And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. 16Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; 17(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:9.17 adventured…: Heb. cast his life 18And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) 19If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: 20But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. 21And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
22¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, 23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: 24That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.9.24 aided…: Heb. strengthened his hands to kill 25And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. 26And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. 27And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.9.27 merry: or, songs 28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? 29And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
30¶ And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.9.30 kindled: or, hot 31And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.9.31 privily: Heb. craftily or, to Tormah 32Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: 33And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.9.33 as thou shalt…: Heb. as thine hand shall find
34¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. 35And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. 36And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. 37And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.9.37 middle: Heb. navel9.37 Meonenim: or, the regarders of times 38Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them. 39And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. 40And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate. 41And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. 42And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. 43And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. 44And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. 45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46¶ And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. 47And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.9.48 me do: Heb. I have done 49And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. 51But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. 52And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull. 54Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 55And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
56¶ Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: 57And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Abimeleki
1Ní ọjọ́ kan Abimeleki ọmọ Jerubbaali lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn arákùnrin ìyá rẹ̀ ní Ṣekemu ó sì bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀ àti gbogbo àwọn ìbátan ìyá rẹ̀ wí pé, 2“Ẹ bi gbogbo àwọn ará Ṣekemu léèrè, ‘Èwo ló sàn fún un yín, ṣé kí gbogbo àwọn àádọ́rin ọmọ Jerubbaali jẹ ọba lórí yín ni tàbí kí ẹnìkan ṣoṣo ṣe àkóso yín?’ Ṣùgbọ́n ẹ rántí pé ẹran-ara yín àti ẹ̀jẹ̀ yín ni èmi ń ṣe.”
3Nígbà tí àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀ sọ èyí ní etí àwọn ará Ṣekemu, ọkàn wọn fà sí àti tẹ̀lé Abimeleki torí, wọ́n sọ wí pé, “Arákùnrin wa ní í ṣe.” 4Wọ́n fún un ní àádọ́rin ṣékélì fàdákà láti ilé òrìṣà Baali-Beriti, Abimeleki fi owó náà gba àwọn jàǹdùkú àti aláìníláárí ènìyàn tí wọ́n sì di olùtẹ̀lé rẹ̀. 5Ó kó wọn lọ sí ilé baba rẹ̀ ní Ofira, níbẹ̀ ní orí òkúta kan ṣoṣo ni ó ti pa àádọ́rin nínú àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀, àwọn Jerubbaali, ṣùgbọ́n Jotamu, àbíkẹ́yìn nínú àwọn ọmọ Jerubbaali, bọ́ yọ nítorí pé ó sápamọ́. 6Gbogbo àwọn ará Ṣekemu àti àwọn ará Beti-Milo pàdé pọ̀ ní ẹ̀bá igi óákù ní ibi òpó ní Ṣekemu láti fi Abimeleki jẹ ọba.
7Nígbà tí wọ́n sọ ohun tí ó ń ṣẹlẹ̀ yìí fún Jotamu, ó gun orí ṣóńṣó òkè Gerisimu lọ, ó sì ké lóhùn rara pé, “Ẹ tẹ́tí sí mi, ẹ̀yin àgbàgbà Ṣekemu, kí Ọlọ́run le tẹ́tí sí yín. 8Ní ọjọ́ kan àwọn igi jáde lọ láti fi òróró yan ọba fún ara wọn. Wọ́n pe igi Olifi pé, ‘Wá ṣe ọba wa.’
9“Ṣùgbọ́n igi Olifi dá wọn lóhùn pé, ‘Èmi yóò ha fi òróró mi sílẹ̀ èyí tí a ń lò láti fi ọ̀wọ̀ fún àwọn ọlọ́run àti ènìyàn kí èmi sì wá ṣe olórí àwọn igi?’
10“Àwọn igi sọ fún igi ọ̀pọ̀tọ́ pé, ‘Wá jẹ ọba ní orí wa.’
11“Ṣùgbọ́n ọ̀pọ̀tọ́ dá wọn lóhùn pé, ‘Kí èmi fi èso mi tí ó dára tí ó sì dùn sílẹ̀ láti wá ṣe olórí àwọn igi?’
12“Àwọn igi sì tún sọ fún àjàrà pé, ‘Wá, kí o ṣe ọba wa.’
13“Ṣùgbọ́n àjàrà dáhùn pé, ‘Ṣé kí èmi dẹ́kun àti máa so èso wáìnì mi èyí tí ó ń mú inú Ọlọ́run àti àwọn ènìyàn dùn láti máa ṣe olórí àwọn igi?’
14“Ní ìparí gbogbo àwọn igi lọ bá igi ẹ̀gún wọ́n sì sọ fún un pé, ‘Wá kí ó ṣe ọba wa.’
15“Igi ẹ̀gún dá àwọn igi lóhùn pé, ‘Bí olóòtítọ́ ni ẹ bá fẹ́ yàn mí ní ọba yín. Ẹ sá àsálà sí abẹ́ ibòòji mi; ṣùgbọ́n tí kì í bá ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ jẹ́ kí iná jáde láti inú igi ẹ̀gún kí ó sì jó àwọn igi kedari àti ti Lebanoni run!’
16“Báyìí tí ó bá jẹ́ pé ẹ̀yin ṣe ohun tí ó ní ọlá àti pẹ̀lú ẹ̀mí òtítọ́ ní fífi Abimeleki jẹ ọba, tí ó bá ṣe pé ohun tí ó tọ́ ni ẹ ṣe sí Jerubbaali àti ìdílé rẹ̀, bí ẹ bá san ẹ̀san tó yẹ fún un. 17Nítorí pé baba mi jà nítorí yín, ó fi ẹ̀mí rẹ̀ wéwu láti gbà yín sílẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ àwọn ará Midiani; 18ṣùgbọ́n lónìí ẹ̀yin ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí ilé baba mi, ní orí òkúta kan ṣoṣo ni ẹ ti pa àwọn àádọ́rin ọmọ rẹ̀, ẹ̀yin sì ti fi Abimeleki ọmọ ẹrúbìnrin rẹ̀ jẹ ọba lórí àwọn ènìyàn Ṣekemu nítorí tí ó jẹ́ arákùnrin yín. 19Bí ohun tí ẹ ṣe sí Jerubbaali àti ìdílé rẹ̀ bá jẹ́ ohun tí ó yẹ, tí ẹ sì ṣe òtítọ́ inú sí i, kí ẹ ní ayọ̀ nínú Abimeleki kí òun náà sì ní ayọ̀ nínú yín. 20Ṣùgbọ́n tí kò bá ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀ jẹ́ kí iná jó jáde wá láti ọ̀dọ̀ Abimeleki kí ó sì jó yín run. Ẹ̀yin ará Ṣekemu àti ará Beti-Milo, kí iná pẹ̀lú jáde láti ọ̀dọ̀ yín wá ẹ̀yin ará Ṣekemu àti ará Beti-Milo kí ó sì jó Abimeleki run.”
21Lẹ́yìn tí Jotamu ti sọ èyí tan, ó sá àsálà lọ sí Beeri, ó sì gbé níbẹ̀ nítorí ó bẹ̀rù arákùnrin rẹ̀ Abimeleki.
22Lẹ́yìn tí Abimeleki ti ṣe àkóso Israẹli fún ọdún mẹ́ta, 23Ọlọ́run rán ẹ̀mí búburú sáàárín Abimeleki àti àwọn ará Ṣekemu, àwọn ẹni tí ó hu ìwà ọ̀tẹ̀. 24Ọlọ́run ṣe èyí láti gbẹ̀san àwọn ìwà búburú, àti ìtàjẹ̀ sílẹ̀ àwọn àádọ́rin (70) ọmọ Jerubbaali lára Abimeleki arákùnrin wọn àti lára àwọn ènìyàn Ṣekemu, ẹni tí ó ràn án lọ́wọ́ láti pa àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀. 25Nítorí ìkórìíra tí wọ́n ni sí àwọn olórí, ni Ṣekemu dẹ àwọn ènìyàn sí àwọn orí òkè láti máa dá àwọn ènìyàn tó ń kọjá lọ́nà, kí wọn sì máa jà wọ́n lólè, àwọn kan ló sọ èyí fún Abimeleki.
26Gaali ọmọ Ebedi àti àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀ wá sí Ṣekemu, àwọn ará Ṣekemu sì gbẹ́kẹ̀lé wọn, wọ́n sì fi inú tán wọn. 27Lẹ́yìn ìgbà tí wọ́n jáde lọ sí oko, wọ́n sì ṣa èso àjàrà wọn jọ, wọ́n fún èso àjàrà náà, wọ́n sì ṣe àjọ̀dún nínú ilé òrìṣà wọn. Nígbà tí wọ́n ń jẹ tí wọ́n ń mu wọ́n fi Abimeleki ré. 28Gaali ọmọ Ebedi dáhùn pé, “Ta ni Abimeleki tàbí ta ni Ṣekemu tí àwa ó fi sìn ín? Ọmọ Jerubbaali kọ́ ní ṣe tàbí Sebulu kọ́ ní igbákejì rẹ̀? Ẹ má sin àwọn ará Hamori baba àwọn ará Ṣekemu, Èéṣe tí a ó fi sin Abimeleki? 29Bí àwọn ènìyàn yìí bá wà ní abẹ́ ìṣàkóso mi ni! Ẹ̀yin ó bọ́ àjàgà rẹ̀ kúrò ní ọrùn yín (Èmi yóò yọ Abimeleki kúrò). Èmi yóò wí fún Abimeleki pé, ‘Kó gbogbo àwọn ogun rẹ jáde láti jà.’ ”
30Nígbà tí Sebulu, alákòóso ìlú náà gbọ́ ohun tí Gaali ọmọ Ebedi sọ, inú bí i gidigidi. 31Ó ránṣẹ́ sí Abimeleki pé, “Gaali ọmọ Ebedi àti àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀ wá láti máa gbé ní Ṣekemu ṣùgbọ́n, wọ́n ń rú àwọn ènìyàn sókè láti ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí ọ. 32Wá ní òru kí ìwọ àti àwọn ogun rẹ sápamọ́ dè wọ́n nínú igbó. 33Ní òwúrọ̀ kùtùkùtù bí oòrùn ti ń yọ ìwọ yóò wọ inú ìlú náà lọ láti bá a jà. Yóò sì ṣe nígbà tí Gaali àti àwọn ogun rẹ̀ tí ó wà pẹ̀lú rẹ̀ bá jáde sí ọ láti bá ọ jà, ìwọ yóò ṣe ohunkóhun tí o bá fẹ́ sí wọn.”
34Abimeleki àti gbogbo àwọn ogun rẹ̀ sì jáde ní òru, wọ́n sì sápamọ́ sí ọ̀nà mẹ́rin yí Ṣekemu ká. 35Gaali ọmọ Ebedi jáde síta, ó sì dúró ní ẹnu-ọ̀nà ibodè ìlú náà ní àkókò tí Abimeleki àti àwọn ọmọ-ogun rẹ̀ jáde kúrò níbi tí wọn sápamọ́ sí.
36Nígbà tí Gaali rí àwọn ènìyàn náà, ó sọ fún Sebulu pé, “Wò ó, àwọn ènìyàn ń ti orí òkè sọ̀kalẹ̀ wá!”
Sebulu sì wí fún un pé, “Òjìji òkè wọ̀n-ọn-nì ni ìwọ rí bi ẹni pé ènìyàn.”
37Gaali ké ó ní, “Wòkè, àwọn ènìyàn ń tọ̀ wá bọ̀ láti agbede-méjì ilẹ̀ wá àti ẹ̀gbẹ́ kan sì ń ti ọ̀nà igi óákù Meonenimu wá.”
38Nígbà náà ni Sebulu dá a lóhùn pé, “Níbo ni ẹnu tí ó ń ṣe ni wà báyìí. Ṣe bí o wí pé, ‘Ta ni Abimeleki tí àwa ó fi máa sìn ín?’ Àwọn ẹni tí ó gàn án kọ́ nìyí? Jáde lọ kí o sì bá wọn jà!”
39Gaali sì síwájú àwọn ogun ará Ṣekemu lọ kọjú Abimeleki láti bá wọn jagun. 40Abimeleki sì lé e, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ àwọn ọmọ-ogun ṣubú wọ́n sì gbọgbẹ́ bí wọ́n ṣe ń sálọ, títí dé ẹnu-ọ̀nà ibùdó ìlú náà. 41Abimeleki dúró sí Aruma, nígbà tí Sebulu lé Gaali àti àwọn arákùnrin rẹ̀ kúrò ni Ṣekemu, kò sì jẹ́ kí wọ́n gbé Ṣekemu mọ́.
42Ní ọjọ́ kejì àwọn ará Ṣekemu sì jà lọ́ sí oko, ẹnìkan ló ṣe òfófó rẹ̀ fún Abimeleki. 43Ó kó àwọn ènìyàn rẹ̀, ó pín wọn sí ẹgbẹ́ mẹ́ta ó sì sápamọ́ sí inú oko. Nígbà tí ó sì rí tí àwọn ènìyàn náà ń jáde kúrò nínú ìlú, ó dìde ó gbóguntì wọ́n. 44Abimeleki àti àwọn ọmọ-ogun tí ó wà pẹ̀lú rẹ̀ sáré síwájú, wọ́n gba ẹnu ibodè ìlú náà, wọ́n sì dúró níbẹ̀. Àwọn ẹgbẹ́ méjì tókù sì sáré sí àwọn tó wà ní oko wọ́n sì gbóguntì wọ́n. 45Ní gbogbo ọjọ́ náà ni Abimeleki fi bá àwọn ará ìlú náà jà, ó sì ṣẹ́gun wọn, ó sì pa àwọn ènìyàn ìlú náà ó wó ìlú náà palẹ̀ pátápátá ó sì fọ́n iyọ̀ sí i.
46Àwọn ènìyàn ilé ìṣọ́ Ṣekemu gbọ́ ohun tí ó ṣẹlẹ̀, wọ́n sálọ fún ààbò sí inú ilé ìṣọ́ òrìṣà El-Beriti. 47Nígbà tí wọ́n sọ fún Abimeleki pé gbogbo àwọn ènìyàn ilé ìṣọ́ Ṣekemu kó ara wọn jọ pọ̀. 48Abimeleki àti gbogbo àwọn ọmọ-ogun rẹ̀ gun òkè Salmoni lọ. Ó gé àwọn ẹ̀ka díẹ̀ pẹ̀lú àáké, ó gbé àwọn ẹ̀ka wọ̀nyí sí èjìká rẹ̀. Ó sọ fún àwọn ọmọ-ogun rẹ̀ pé, “Ẹ ṣe ohun tí ẹ rí tí mo ń ṣe yìí ní kíákíá.” 49Báyìí gbogbo àwọn ọkùnrin tí ó wà lọ́dọ̀ rẹ̀ gé àwọn ẹ̀ka igi wọn tẹ̀lé Abimeleki. Wọ́n kó wọn ti ilé ìṣọ́ agbára níbi tí àwọn ènìyàn sápamọ́ sí wọ́n sì fi iná sí i, tóbẹ́ẹ̀ tí gbogbo àwọn ọkùnrin ilé ìṣọ́ Ṣekemu fi kú pẹ̀lú. Gbogbo àwọn ènìyàn náà tí ó tó ẹgbẹ̀rún ènìyàn lọ́kùnrin àti lóbìnrin sì kú.
50Abimeleki tún lọ sí Tebesi, ó yí ìlú náà ká pẹ̀lú àwọn ọmọ-ogun, ó sì ṣẹ́gun rẹ̀. 51Ilé ìṣọ́ kan tí ó ní agbára sì wà nínú ìlú náà. Gbogbo àwọn ènìyàn ìlú náà ọkùnrin àti obìnrin sá sínú ilé ìṣọ́ náà. Wọ́n ti ara wọn mọ́ ibẹ̀ wọ́n sì sálọ sí inú àjà ilé ìṣọ́ náà. 52Abimeleki lọ sí ìsàlẹ̀ ilé ìṣọ́ náà, ó sì ń bá a jà. Ṣùgbọ́n bí ó ti súnmọ́ ẹnu-ọ̀nà ilé ìṣọ́ náà láti dáná sun ún, 53obìnrin kan sọ ọmọ ọlọ lu Abimeleki lórí, ó sì fọ́ ọ ní agbárí.
54Ní ojú kan náà ni ó pe ẹni tí ó ru àpáta rẹ̀ pé, “Yára yọ idà rẹ kí o sì pa mí, kí wọn má ba à sọ pé, ‘Obìnrin ni ó pa á.’ ” Ọ̀dọ́mọkùnrin náà sì fi ọ̀kọ̀ gún un, ó sì kú. 55Nígbà tí àwọn ará Israẹli rí i pé Abimeleki kú, olúkúlùkù wọn padà sí ilé rẹ̀.
56Báyìí ni Ọlọ́run san ẹ̀san ìwà búburú ti Abimeleki hù sí baba rẹ̀ ní ti pípa tí ó pa, àwọn àádọ́rin (70) arákùnrin rẹ̀. 57Ọlọ́run jẹ́ kí ìwà búburú àwọn ará Ṣekemu pẹ̀lú padà sí orí wọn. Ègún Jotamu ọmọ Jerubbaali pàápàá wá sí orí wọn.
