Judges 9

1 Now Abimelech [son of Gideon, a leader] son of Jerubbaal [let Baal contend, a name given to Gideon] went to his mother’s brothers [relatives, family members] at Shechem [a city in Palestine] and said to them and to all the clan [family, tribe] of his mother [female parent, maternal figure], word study 2 “Please [I pray you, I ask of you] ask all the leaders [masters, rulers] of Shechem, ‘Is it better [more pleasant, more desirable] for you that seventy men, all the sons [descendants, offspring] of Jerubbaal [Gideon, the one who contends with Baal], rule over you, or just one man [a single individual, one person]?’ Remember [keep in mind, recall] that I am your own flesh [your relative, your kin] and blood [your family, your heritage].” word study 3 And when his mother’s [female parent, maternal figure] brothers spoke all these words [events, matters] about him in the presence [before, in the sight of] of all the leaders [masters, rulers] of Shechem [a city in Palestine], their hearts [feelings, will, intellect] were inclined [stretched, turned] to follow Abimelech [a king of the Philistines], for they said, “He is our [close relative, kin] brother [male sibling, friend].” word study 4 So they gave him seventy [threescore and ten] shekels of silver [pieces of silver, money] from the temple [house] of Baal-berith [the Lord of the covenant], with which Abimelech [the king of Shechem] hired [paid, employed] some [vain and light] worthless and reckless men [individuals, persons] to follow [go after, accompany] him. word study 5 He went to his father’s [ancestral] house in Ophrah, and on one stone [a single rock, a large stone] murdered his seventy [exactly 70, a large number] brothers, the sons [descendants, male children] of Jerubbaal [Gideon, the one who contends with Baal]. But Jotham [Jehovah is perfect], the youngest [smallest, most insignificant] son of Jerubbaal, survived [remained, was left], because he hid [concealed, secreted] himself. word study 6 Then all [the men of, every leader] the leaders of Shechem [a city in Palestine, a place of gathering] and Beth-millo [the house of Millo, a fortified area] gathered beside the oak [terebinth, a strong tree] at the pillar [a monument, a standing stone] in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech [a king, a ruler] their king [a monarch, a leader]. word study 7 When this was reported [told, declared openly] to Jotham, he climbed [went up, ascended] to the top [summit, highest point] of Mount Gerizim [a mountain in northern Israel, a spiritual high point], raised [lifted, elevated] his voice [sound, cry], and cried out [called, shouted]: “Listen [hear, obey] to me, O leaders [masters, rulers] of Shechem [a city in Palestine], and may God [Elohim, the supreme One] listen [hear, heed] to you [toward you, in your direction]. word study 8 One day the trees [went forth, set out to deliberate] set out to anoint [to rub oil on, set apart] a king [royal ruler, sovereign] for themselves. They said to the olive tree [an olive berry], ‘Reign [to rule, have dominion] over us [as our leader, guide].’ word study 9 But the olive tree [an olive berry] replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil [richness, abundance] that honors [glorifies, shows respect to] both God [Elohim, the supreme Being] and man [humanity, individuals], to hold sway [rule, have authority] over the trees [other leaders, creations]?’ word study 10 Then the trees [strong and firm objects, like a tree or a wooden plank] said to the fig tree [a common food source in ancient Israel], ‘Come [to walk, to move from one place to another] and reign [to advise or counsel, to rule as a king] over us [upon, on, or above something, implying a sense of responsibility].’ word study 11 But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my [inherent] sweetness [a positive quality] and my good [pleasant, beneficial] fruit, to hold sway [be promoted, take leadership] over the trees [the other leaders, the prominent ones]?’ word study 12 Then the trees [strong and firm objects, like a tree or a wooden plank] said to the grapevine [referring to Israel or prosperity], ‘Come [to walk, to live] and reign [to advise, to rule as a king] over us [upon, on, or above us, implying a sense of responsibility].’ word study 13 But the grapevine [vine] replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine [new wine, freshly squeezed from grapes] that cheers [makes glad, rejoices] both God [Elohim, the supreme God] and man [mankind, human beings], to hold sway [rule, be promoted] over the trees [the other trees, in a position of authority]?’ word study 14 Finally all [every single one] the trees [strong and firm objects, like a tree or a wooden plank] said to the thornbush [a type of thorny plant, like a buckthorn tree], ‘Come [to walk, to move from one place to another] and reign [to advise or counsel, to rule as a king] over us [upon us, with a sense of responsibility].’ word study 15 But the thornbush [bramble, a type of thorny plant] replied, ‘If you really [in truth, with sincerity] are anointing [setting apart, consecrating] me as king [ruler, monarch] over you, come [approach, draw near] and find refuge [take shelter, trust] in my shade [shadow, protection]. But if not [if you are not sincere], may fire [divine judgment, purification] come out of the thornbush and consume [devour, destroy] the cedars [strong and durable trees] of Lebanon [a mountain range in Israel].’ word study 16 Now [at this time, in this moment] if you have acted faithfully [with truth, in sincerity] and honestly [with integrity, uprightly] in making Abimelech [Ahimelech, the king] king, if you have done well [with kindness, in a pleasant manner] by Jerubbaal [let Baal contend, a name given to Gideon] and his family [house, household], and if you have done to him as he deserves [according to the deserving of his hands, with recompense]— word study 17 for my father [the patriarch, leader] fought [waged war, battled] for you and risked [adventured, put in jeopardy] his life [soul, being] to deliver [rescue, save] you from the hand [power, control] of Midian [the Midianites, a desert tribe], word study 18 but you have risen up [in rebellion, against my father’s house] against my father’s house this day and killed [slain, put to death] his seventy sons [seventy persons, male descendants] on a single stone [one huge rock, a single location], and you have made Abimelech [a servant’s child], the son of his maidservant [female servant, handmaid], king [to reign, ruler] over the leaders [masters, men] of Shechem [the townsmen, inhabitants of Shechem] because he is your brother [relative, one of your own]— word study 19 if you have acted [in truth and sincerity] faithfully and [with integrity] honestly toward Jerubbaal [let Baal contend, Gideon] and his house [family, household] this day [at this time, now], then may you rejoice [be glad, celebrate] in Abimelech [my father is king], and he [as your leader] in you [with you, among you]. word study 20 But if not, may fire [burning, flame] come from Abimelech [the king of Shechem, a ruler] and consume the leaders [masters, rulers] of Shechem [a city in Palestine, a place of covenant] and Beth-millo [the house of Millo, a fortified area], and may fire [a powerful force, a devouring flame] come from the leaders [masters, those in authority] of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech [the one who brought destruction, a leader].” word study 21 Then Jotham [the one whose name means Jehovah is perfect] ran away [fled, escaped], escaping [to save his life, to flee from danger] to Beer [a city near Hebron, a place of refuge], and he lived [dwelt, remained] there [in that place, for his own safety] for fear [because of the threat, out of dread] of his brother [relative, sibling] Abimelech [the name of a Philistine king and an Israelite]. word study 22 After Abimelech [a king of the Philistines, son of Gideon] had reigned [ruled as a prince, been in power] over Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] for three [a period of, exactly] years [a cycle of time, a season], word study 23 God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] sent [caused to go forth] a spirit [the breath of life or a person’s mind and emotions] of animosity [bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm] between [in the midst of, showing a location or a choice] Abimelech [a king of the Philistines] and the leaders [masters or owners, often referring to a husband or leader] of Shechem [a city in Palestine] and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully [to act treacherously, being deceitful or unfaithful], word study 24 in order that the crime [violence, cruelty] against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal [let Baal contend, a name given to Gideon] might come to justice [be avenged, punished] and their blood [the liquid essential for life] be avenged [laid, placed] on their brother Abimelech [a king who met Abraham, a leader] and on the leaders [masters, owners] of Shechem [a city in Palestine, a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs], who had helped [strengthened, aided] him murder [kill, slay with intent] his brothers. word study 25 The leaders [masters, rulers] of Shechem set up an ambush [liers in wait, secret watchers] against Abimelech on the hilltops [mountains, high places], and they robbed [plundered, took by force] all who passed by them on the road [way, path]. So this was reported [told, declared] to Abimelech. word study 26 Meanwhile, Gaal [son of a servant, descendant of Ebed] son of Ebed came with his brothers [relatives, kin] and crossed [passed over, transitioned] into Shechem [a city in Palestine], and the leaders [masters, owners] of Shechem put their confidence [trust, faith] in him. word study 27 And after they had gone out [into the countryside, to the fields] into the fields, gathered grapes [the fruit of their vines] from their vineyards, and trodden [treaded, pressed] them, they held [made, celebrated] a festival [a holy feast, a time of praise] and went into the house [temple] of their god [Elohim, their deity]; and as they ate [devoured, feasted] and drank [consumed, made merry], they cursed [reviled, brought into contempt] Abimelech. word study 28 Then Gaal [a leader] son of Ebed said, “Who [what person, what kind of man] is Abimelech [a Philistine king, a ruler], and who [what city, what people] is Shechem [a city in Palestine, a community], that we should serve [be obedient to, be subject to] him? Is he not [certainly not, not at all] the son [descendant, offspring] of Jerubbaal [Gideon, a judge of Israel], and is not [certainly not, not at all] Zebul [a chief man, an officer] his officer [overseer, commander]? You are to serve [be loyal to, obey] the men [people, inhabitants] of Hamor [a Canaanite prince], the father [ancestor, founder] of Shechem [a city in Palestine, a community]. Why [for what reason, on what grounds] should we serve [be subject to, obey] Abimelech [a ruler, a king]? word study 29 If only [would to God, I wish] this people [nation, community] were under my authority [hand, power], I would remove [turn aside, put away] Abimelech [Ahimelech, the king]; I would say [command, speak] to him, ‘Muster your army [large group, campaign] and come out [go out, depart]!’” word study 30 When Zebul [the ruler, a chief man] the governor [leader, person in charge] of the city [a place with a wall or a watchman] heard [listened attentively to] the words [things, matters] of Gaal [an Israelite] son [descendant, offspring] of Ebed [meaning servant], he burned [was incensed, became very angry] with anger [strong emotions, fury]. word study 31 So he covertly [in a deceitful manner, with treachery] sent messengers [representatives] to Abimelech [a Philistine king] to say, “Look [behold, take notice], Gaal [an Israelite] son of Ebed [a servant, a humble man] and his brothers [relatives, kin] have come [arrived, entered] to Shechem [a city in Palestine, a place of gathering] and are stirring up [inciting, rebelling against] the city [the town, the community] against you [in opposition to, against your rule]. word study 32 Now [at this time, presently] then, tonight [in the darkness, under cover of night] you [as an individual, personally] and the people [nation, those with you] with you [in close proximity, accompanying you] are to come [rise up, assemble] and lie in wait [ambush, hide in secret] in the fields [open lands, rural areas]. word study 33 And in the morning [as the day breaks] at sunrise, get up [rise early, at the break of day] and advance [rush, set upon] against the city [the town, the settlement]. When Gaal [he, the leader] and his men [the people with him] come out [go out, emerge] against you, do to them [treat them, act towards them] whatever [as you are able, as you find occasion] you are able [strong, capable].” word study 34 So Abimelech [the king of the Philistines] and all [every one of] his troops set out [rose up, went forth] by night [in the darkness, under cover of darkness] and lay in wait [ambushed, hid in wait] against Shechem [the city, a strategic location] in four [a specific number, a detachment of] companies [bands, groups of soldiers]. word study 35 Now Gaal [an Israelite leader] son of Ebed went out [to come out, to emerge] and stood [to stand, to take a position] at the entrance [a doorway or gate] of the city [a town or settlement, with walls and gates] gate just as Abimelech [a king of the Philistines, a ruler] and his men [people, a group of individuals] came out [to emerge, to rise up] from their hiding places [ambush, a hidden trap or surprise attack]. word study 36 When Gaal [an Israelite leader] saw the people [a multitude, a nation], he said to Zebul [a chief man, exalted one], “Look [behold, see], people [men, individuals] are coming down [descending, going down] from the mountains [hills, elevated areas]!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows [dark areas, silhouettes] of the mountains [hills, elevated areas] look like men [individuals, human beings] to you [as if they were people].” word study 37 Then Gaal [the son of Ebed, an Israelite] spoke up again, “Look [behold, see], people [a nation, a group] are coming down [descending, going down] from the center [the middle, the highest part] of the land [the earth, the territory], and one company [a group, a detachment] is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak [the oak of Meonenim, a tree of soothsayers]. ” word study 38 “Where [in what place, at what point] is your gloating [boastful talk, proud speech] now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who [what person, which one] is Abimelech [a king of the Philistines, a ruler] that we should serve [obey, be subject to] him?’ Are these not the people [a nation, a group of individuals] you ridiculed [despised, treated with contempt]? Go out [come forth, depart] now [at this time, presently] and fight [engage in battle, wage war] them [against this group, in opposition to them]!” word study 39 So Gaal [the son of Ebed, an Israelite] went out [in the sight of] before the leaders [masters, owners] of Shechem [a city in Palestine] and fought [made war, battled] against Abimelech [a Philistine king], word study 40 but Abimelech [the king of Shechem] pursued [chased, followed with hostile intent] him, and Gaal [the leader of the Shechemites] fled [ran away quickly, escaped] before him [from his presence, out of his sight]. And many [a large number, numerous] Shechemites fell [were slain, defeated] wounded [hurt, injured, slain] all the way [until, as far as] to the entrance [doorway, gate] of the gate [city entrance, doorway]. word study 41 Abimelech [the king of the Philistines] stayed [dwelt, remained] in Arumah [a place of exaltation], and Zebul [a chief man, exalted one] drove [expelled, thrust out] Gaal [an Israelite, son of Ebed] and his brothers [male siblings, relatives] out of [from, away from] Shechem [a city in Palestine, a place of burden]. word study 42 The next day [on the morrow, following day] the people [nation, community] of Shechem went out [to come out, depart] into the fields [land, cultivated area], and this was reported [told, declared openly] to Abimelech [Ahimelech, the king]. word study 43 So he took [received, gathered] his men, divided [separated, split] them into three [a trio, a group of three] companies, and lay [hid, ambushed] in wait [in secret, unexpectedly] in the fields [the countryside, the open land]. When he saw [looked, observed] the people [a nation, a crowd] coming out [emerging, departing] of the city [a town, a metropolis], he rose up [stood up, attacked] against them and attacked [struck, smote] them. word study 44 Then Abimelech [the king, son of Gideon] and the companies [bands of warriors, troops] with him rushed forward [with haste, swiftly] and took their stand [positioned themselves, stood firm] at the entrance [gate, doorway] of the city gate [the city’s main entry point]. The other two companies [groups, detachments] rushed against [attacked, struck] all who were in the fields [open lands, countryside] and struck them down [slew, overcame, smote]. word study 45 And all that day [the entire 24-hour period] Abimelech [a Philistine king] fought against the city [a walled town, a place of refuge] until he had captured [seized, taken control of] it and killed [slain, put to death] its people [the inhabitants, the nation]. Then he demolished [tore down, destroyed] the city [the settlement, the community] and sowed [scattered, spread] it with salt. word study 46 On hearing [to hear and listen, with attention and obedience] of this, all [every single one, without exception] the leaders [masters, owners, or husbands] in the tower [elevated stage, or migdal] of Shechem [a city in Palestine] entered [went, came, or approached] the inner chamber [stronghold, or secure fortress] of the temple [house, or dwelling place] of El-berith [the God of covenant, or Baal-berith]. word study 47 And when Abimelech [the king of the Philistines] was told [informed, declared to] that all [every single one, the entire group] the leaders [masters, owners, husbands] in the tower [a tall structure or elevated stage] of Shechem [a city in Palestine, a place of gathering] were gathered [assembled, collected] there [in that place, together], word study 48 he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon [a shady place, near Shechem]. Abimelech [a Philistine king] took his axe [a tool for chopping] in his hand and cut a branch [a limb, a section] from the trees, which he lifted [raised, carried] to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry [make haste, be quick] and do what you have seen me do [follow my example, imitate my actions].” word study 49 So each man [every individual, person] also cut his own branch [bough, limb] and followed Abimelech [the king of Shechem]. Then they piled the branches [limbs, boughs] against the inner chamber [stronghold, secure room] and set it on fire [kindled, ignited] above them, killing everyone [all people, men and women] in the tower [high place, fortress] of Shechem [a city in Palestine], about a thousand [a large number, multitude] men and women [females, wives]. word study 50 Then Abimelech [a Philistine king] went [to walk, to move towards] to Thebez [a town near Shechem], encamped [to set up camp, to pitch a tent] against it [in a position of siege], and captured [to seize, to take control of] it [the city, the inhabitants]. word study 51 But there was a strong [powerful, fortified] tower [a tall structure] inside the city [a place with walls and a watchman], and all [every single one] the men [male individuals], women [females, wives], and leaders [masters, owners] of the city [a town, a settlement] fled [ran away quickly, escaped] there [to that place, thither]. They locked [shut, closed] themselves in [inside, within] and went up [ascended, rose] to the roof [the top, the highest point] of the tower [the elevated stage]. word study 52 When Abimelech [a Philistine king, Ahimelech] came to attack [fought against, drew near to] the tower [a tall structure], he approached [drew near, came hard unto] its entrance [doorway] to set [burn with, kindle] it on fire [with flames, using fire]. word study 53 But a [certain, specific] woman [female person, wife] dropped [cast, threw] an upper [piece of a] millstone [heavy stone used for grinding grain] on Abimelech’s [Ahimelech, the king] head [skull], crushing [to break, oppress] his skull [head, brain pan]. word study 54 He quickly [with haste, swiftly] called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw [pull out, unsheathe] your sword [cutting instrument, knife] and kill me, lest [so that not, beware that] they say of me, ‘A woman [female, wife] killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer [young man, servant] ran his sword through him, and he died [passed away, met his end]. word study 55 And when the Israelites [men of Israel, descendants of Jacob] saw [perceived, looked after] that Abimelech [Ahimelech, a Philistine king] was dead [had died, met his end], they all [every man, individually] went [walked, departed] home [to his place, their homes]. word study 56 In this way [thus, as a result] God [Elohim, the supreme Judge] repaid [rendered, requited, turned back] the wickedness [evil, bad, moral harm] that Abimelech [the king, son of Jerubbaal] had done [made, committed] to his father [parent, ancestor] in murdering [slaying, killing with intent] his seventy [a large number, numerous] brothers [male siblings, relatives]. word study 57 And God [Elohim, the supreme Judge] also brought [to return, to repay] all [every, the entirety of] the wickedness [evil, moral harm] of the men [individuals, people] of Shechem [a city in Palestine] back upon their own heads [as a consequence, in judgment]. So the curse [a wish for harm, divine judgment] of Jotham [Jehovah is perfect] son of Jerubbaal [let Baal contend] came upon them [to their detriment, in fulfillment]. word study