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J U D G ES 9
did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he
had done for Israel.
Abimelech Rules over Shechem
One day Gideon’s* son Abimelech went to
Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s
brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his
mother’s family, 2 “Ask the leading citizens of
Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all
seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And
remember that I am your own flesh and blood!”
3 So Abimelech’s uncles gave his message to
all the citizens of Shechem on his behalf. And
after listening to this proposal, the people of
Shechem decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative. 4 They gave him
seventy silver coins from the temple of Baalberith, which he used to hire some reckless
troublemakers who agreed to follow him. 5 He
went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there,
on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half
brothers, the sons of Gideon.* But the youngest
brother, Jotham, escaped and hid.
6 Then all the leading citizens of Shechem
and Beth-millo called a meeting under the oak
beside the pillar* at Shechem and made Abimelech their king.
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Jotham’s Parable
7 When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to
the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted,
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“Listen to me, citizens of Shechem!
Listen to me if you want God to listen
to you!
Once upon a time the trees decided to
choose a king.
First they said to the olive tree,
‘Be our king!’
But the olive tree refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the olive oil
that blesses both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’
“Then they said to the fig tree,
‘You be our king!’
But the fig tree also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing my sweet fruit
just to wave back and forth over
the trees?’
“Then they said to the grapevine,
‘You be our king!’
But the grapevine also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the wine
that cheers both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over
the trees?’
“Then all the trees finally turned to the
thornbush and said,
‘Come, you be our king!’
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And the thornbush replied to the trees,
‘If you truly want to make me your king,
come and take shelter in my shade.
If not, let fire come out from me
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”
16 Jotham continued, “Now make sure you
have acted honorably and in good faith by
making Abimelech your king, and that you have
done right by Gideon and all of his descendants.
Have you treated him with the honor he deserves for all he accomplished? 17 For he fought
for you and risked his life when he rescued you
from the Midianites. 18 But today you have revolted against my father and his descendants,
killing his seventy sons on one stone. And you
have chosen his slave woman’s son, Abimelech,
to be your king just because he is your relative.
19 “If you have acted honorably and in good
faith toward Gideon and his descendants today,
then may you find joy in Abimelech, and may
he find joy in you. 20 But if you have not acted in
good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out
from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo
and devour Abimelech!”
21 Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.
Shechem Rebels against Abimelech
22 After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three
years, 23 God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble
between Abimelech and the leading citizens of
Shechem, and they revolted. 24 God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon’s seventy
sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his
brothers. 25 The citizens of Shechem set an ambush for Abimelech on the hilltops and robbed
everyone who passed that way. But someone
warned Abimelech about their plot.
26 One day Gaal son of Ebed moved to Shechem
with his brothers and gained the confidence of
the leading citizens of Shechem. 27 During the
annual harvest festival at Shechem, held in the
temple of the local god, the wine flowed freely,
and everyone began cursing Abimelech. 28 “Who
is Abimelech?” Gaal shouted. “He’s not a true
son of Shechem,* so why should we be his servants? He’s merely the son of Gideon, and this
Zebul is merely his deputy. Serve the true sons
of Hamor, the founder of Shechem. Why should
we serve Abimelech? 29 If I were in charge here,
I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say* to him,
‘Get some soldiers, and come out and fight!’”
30 But when Zebul, the leader of the city,
heard what Gaal was saying, he was furious.
9:1 Hebrew Jerub-baal’s (see 6:32); also in 9:2, 24. 9:5 Hebrew
Jerub-baal (see 6:32); also in 9:16, 19, 28, 57. 9:6 The meaning
of the Hebrew is uncertain. 9:28 Hebrew Who is Shechem?
9:29 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads And he said.