26Then Gaal (son of Ebed) and his brothers moved into Shechem. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. is not he the son of Jerubbaal? 34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? I would say to Abimelek, Call out your whole army, 30When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry. ABIMELECH bim' lk ( , father of a king or Melek is father ). This reference held both a practical and spiritual message for David. (Judges 9:50-57). I will say to him, Get your army ready and come out to battle.. 45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. 7When Jotham(K) was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim(L) and shouted to them, Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. 28Then Gaal son of Ebed said, We are the men of Shechem. That silver was from the temple of the god Baal Berith. Abdon Samson Judges of Israel Chart Was Abimelech A Judge in Israel? 3His uncles repeated everything he said to all citizens of Shechem. 35Gaal (son of Ebed) went out and stood at the entrance to the city. For less than $5/mo. 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. God was not consulted whether they should have any king, much less who it . 32You and your men must start out tonight. Abimelech (Judges) - Wikipedia 3Abimelechs uncles spoke to the leaders of Shechem and asked them that question. Chapter 9. 28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? 3And his mother's relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, (E)He is our brother. 4And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of (F)Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired (G)worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. Abimelech was later proclaimed king by the citizens of Beth-millo and Shechem. 41And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. They went to the oak tree that was still standing in Shechem and proclaimed Abimelech king. And would to God this people were under my hand! King of Gerar of the Philistines, who took Sarah into his harem; but being warned of God in a dream, he restored her to Abraham, and gave him 1,000 pieces of silver as a "covering of the eyes" for Sarah, that is, as an atoning present, and to be a testimony of her innocence in the eyes of all. The Shechemites are plagued by no other hand than Abimelech's. His place of death is cited as being Thebez. After this, Abimelech went to Thebez and camped against it. 42The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields to work. The soldiers separated into four groups. For less than $5/mo. Tools. They squeezed the grapes to make wine. 30Zebul was the governor of the city of Shechem. 54He quickly called his armorbearer. 1322-1319), and was succeeded by Tola. Those trees that serve a beneficial purpose (the olive tree, the fig tree, and the grape vine) reject kingship because ruling would interfere with their useful endeavors. 28Gaal (son of Ebed) said, Whos Abimelech, and who are we, the people of Shechem, that we should serve him? 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. Already, Abimelech has taken most of the city and comes upon a heavily fortified tower. 10And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. Now go out and fight him.. The civilians head towards the top of a tower while he fights his way through. 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. But if you dont want to do this, let fire come out of the thornbush. 53Then a woman threw a small millstone that hit Abimelech on the head and cracked his skull. 22Abimelech ruled the Israelites for three years. Then Id get rid of Abimelech. Sam Storms, When God Honors the Underdog Tools. 26 Gaal conspireth against him, and is overcome. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out. According to the biblical narrative, Abimelech was an extremely conniving and evil person. 23-24Abimelech had killed Gideons 70 sonsand they were his own brothers. He grabbed an ax to cut down the bough of a tree and ordered everyone to follow his example. What is the Book of Judges? New Living Translation After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. Abimelech was told about it. If Abraham died, on account of his wife or for. Then they climbed up to the roof of the tower. Read the full story of Abimelech from the book of Judges below and find articles, video and audio sermons relating to this cautionary story. 56-57). 45All that day Abimelek pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. He divides his followers by four companies to hide and wait near Shechem. 24God did this so that the bloody violence committed against Jerubbaals 70 sons would happen to Abimelech and citizens of Shechem. Jdg 9:36. 54Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and kill me,(AY) so that they cant say, A woman killed him. So his servant ran him through, and he died. His name can best be interpreted as my father is king,claiming the inherited right to rule. The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham ( Genesis 20:1-18 ). gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. [e] (Hamor was the father of Shechem.) (50-57) Verses 1-6 The men of Shechem chose Abimelech king. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! When Jotham was informed of this news, he went on top of Mount Gerizim and cursed the people of Shechem and Beth-millo for their proclamation, then fled to Beer to hide from Abimelech. Chapter 9. So he hid his men in the fields. Do what you have seen me do! 49So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelek. 56Thus 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. He told him, Take your sword and kill me! A prominent aspect of Jesus' teaching was telling parables to illustrate something about the kingdom, or reign, of God. 57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. (AV) He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. ABIMELECH IN THE BIBLE - King James Bible Online While Gaal was standing there, Abimelech and his soldiers came out of their hiding places. Then, Abimelech went into the city and killed the rest and spread salt around so nothing would grow there for a long time. Stay but three years, and see the bramble withered and burned. (Judges 9:1-5). Why should we serve Abimelek? If you really want to anoint me to be your king, But if not, fire will come out of the thornbush. Swahili New Testament Easy to Read Version (ERV), ERV Holy Bible--soft leather-look, teal, case of 24, Holy Bible Easy to Read Version (ERV), Duotone, Green/Tan - case of 24. 8One day the trees decided to choose a king to rule over them. At the time of the Amarna tablets (mid-14th century BC), there was an Egyptian governor of Tyre similarly named Abimilki, who is sometimes speculated to be connected with one or more of the biblical Abimelechs. Remember, I am your relative.. get to know the Bible better! Abimelech successfully fights most of the way towards the tower, however, a woman struck his head with a stone above. He watched and saw the people coming out of the city. He said to his uncles and all of his mothers family, 2Ask the leaders of the city of Shechem this question: Is it better for you to be ruled by the 70 sons of Gideon or to be ruled by only one man? He persuaded his mother's brothers to encourage the people of Shechem to back him in a plot to overthrow his family rule and make him sole ruler. I would say[a] to Abimelech, Increase your army, and come out., 30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. 43He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. Judges 9 NKJV - Abimelech's Conspiracy - Then - Bible Gateway 41Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem. Isnt he Jerubbaals son, and isnt Zebul his officer? 4:33; 2 Kgs. Abimelech, Gideons son, tries to become king of Shechem, but fails. 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. Berean Standard Bible 9:22-29 Abimelech is seated in the throne his father refused. 43So Abimelech separated his men into three groups. 55When the Israelites saw that Abimelek was dead, they went home. 36When Gaal saw the soldiers, he said to Zebul, Look, there are people coming down from the mountains., But Zebul said, You are only seeing the shadows of the mountains. The people ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. 53But, while Abimelech was standing at the door of the tower, a woman on the roof dropped a grinding stone on his head. The trees said to the olive tree, You be king over us., 9But the olive tree said, My oil is used to honor gods and humans. 43So he took his troops, divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the fields. The remaining resistance went to the tower of El-Berith to hold their ground. [k] Abimelech took an ax and cut off some branches and carried them on his shoulders. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. Since Abimelech was merely a son of Gideons concubine (Judges 8:3031), he made good of his claim to rule over Manasseh by killing his half-brothers. serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? 39So Gaal led out[d] the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek. 29If only this people were under my command! Judges 9 VOICE - Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went - Bible Gateway English Standard Version (ESV). If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Gaal is turning the whole city against you. Abimelech hastily gathered his followers to Mount Zalmon to explain his plan. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. 25In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek. Jdg 9:35. 48So Abimelech and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. 20But leaders of Shechem and the house of Millo,[d] if you have not acted right, may Abimelech destroy you. All rights reserved worldwide. ESV Text Edition: 2016. 46On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple(AU) of El-Berith. 17Remember that my father fought for you and risked(Q) his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. 9 Abimelech was the son of Gideon. Abimelechs reign foreshadows that of Sauls in several ways: Abimelech is Israels first self-proclaimed king and SaulThe first king of Israel More is Israels first divinely proclaimed king (1 SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel More 10); Abimelech practiced idolatry as did Saul (1 Samuel 15); both died in disgrace, asking to be dispatched by their armor-bearer (1 Samuel 31). By an interposition of Providence, Sarah was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her . Abimelech ruled for three years from 1151BC-1149BC. Abimelech took an ax, cut some brushwood, and carried it on his shoulder. 55The Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, so they all went back home. 25So citizens of Shechem set ambushes for Abimelech on top of the mountains. 7And 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. With the silver, Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to follow him. 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. Abimelech went to his uncles who lived in the city of Shechem. 51But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower.