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Judges 9 (NET)

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Judges 9:1¹Now Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to Shechem to see his mother’s relatives. He said to them and to his mother’s entire extended family,Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 8:31 Ps 83:2-4 1 Kgs 12:1 1 Kgs 12:20 1 Kgs 12:3 2 Sam 15:6 Gen 33:18 Gen 34:2 Jer 18:18

Judges 9:2²“Tell all the leaders of Shechem this: ‘Why would you want to have seventy men, all Jerub Baal’s sons, ruling over you, when you can have just one ruler? Recall that I am your own flesh and blood.’”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 29:14 Judg 8:30 1 Chr 11:1 Heb 2:14 2 Sam 19:13 Eph 5:30

Judges 9:3³His mother’s relatives spoke on his behalf to all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal. The leaders were drawn to Abimelech; they said, “He is our close relative.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 29:15 Ps 10:3 Prov 1:11-14

Judges 9:4⁴They paid him seventy silver shekels out of the temple of Baal Berith. Abimelech then used the silver to hire some lawless, dangerous men as his followers.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 8:33 2 Chr 13:7 Acts 17:5 Judg 11:3 Prov 12:11 1 Sam 22:2 Job 30:8 Judg 9:46-49

Judges 9:5⁵He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and murdered his half brothers, the seventy legitimate sons of Jerub Baal, on one stone. Only Jotham, Jerub Baal’s youngest son, escaped, because he hid.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Kgs 11:1-2 2 Chr 21:4 Judg 6:24 2 Kgs 10:17 Judg 8:30 Judg 9:2 Matt 2:16 Matt 2:20

Judges 9:6⁶All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo assembled and then went and made Abimelech king by the oak near the pillar in Shechem.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Kgs 12:25 2 Sam 5:9 1 Kgs 12:1 1 Kgs 12:20 2 Kgs 12:20 Josh 24:26

Judges 9:7⁷When Jotham heard the news, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He spoke loudly to the people below, “Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Deut 11:29 Deut 27:12 Isa 1:15 John 4:20 Prov 28:9 Josh 8:33 Prov 1:28-29 Prov 21:13 Ps 50:15-21 Isa 58:6-10

Judges 9:8⁸“The trees were determined to go out and choose a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Kgs 14:9 Dan 4:10-18 Judg 8:22-23 Ezek 17:3-10

Judges 9:9⁹But the olive tree said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my oil, which is used to honor gods and men, just to sway above the other trees!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 John 2:20 1 Kgs 19:15-16 Acts 10:38 Acts 4:27 Exod 29:2 Exod 29:7 Exod 35:14 Job 1:7 Job 2:2 Lev 2:1

Judges 9:10¹⁰“So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and be our king!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:11¹¹But the fig tree said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my sweet figs, my excellent fruit, just to sway above the other trees!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Luke 13:6-7

Judges 9:12¹²“So the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You come and be our king!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:13¹³But the grapevine said to them, ‘I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, just to sway above the other trees!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Eccl 10:19 Num 15:10 Ps 104:15 Num 15:5 Prov 31:6 Num 15:7

Judges 9:14¹⁴“So all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘You come and be our king!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Kgs 14:9

Judges 9:15¹⁵The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to choose me as your king, then come along, find safety under my branches. Otherwise may fire blaze from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 30:2 Hos 14:7 Isa 2:13 Judg 9:20 2 Kgs 14:9 Dan 4:12 Ezek 19:14 Isa 37:24 Num 21:28 Ps 104:16

Judges 9:16¹⁶“Now, if you have shown loyalty and integrity when you made Abimelech king, if you have done right to Jerub Baal and his family, if you have properly repaid him —Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 8:35

Judges 9:17¹⁷my father fought for you; he risked his life and delivered you from Midian’s power.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Rom 5:8 Esth 4:16 Judg 7:1-25 Judg 8:4-10 Rev 12:11 Rom 16:4

Judges 9:18¹⁸But you have attacked my father’s family today. You murdered his seventy legitimate sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:5-6 Ps 109:4 Judg 8:30-31 Judg 8:35 Judg 9:14

Judges 9:19¹⁹So if you have shown loyalty and integrity to Jerub Baal and his family today, then may Abimelech bring you happiness and may you bring him happiness!Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 8:6 Jas 4:16 Phil 3:3

Judges 9:20²⁰But if not, may fire blaze from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo! May fire also blaze from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and consume Abimelech!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:15 2 Chr 20:22-23 Judg 9:56-57 Ps 140:10 Ps 28:4 Judg 7:22 Judg 9:23 Ps 120:3-4 Ps 21:9-10 Ps 52:1-5

Judges 9:21²¹Then Jotham ran away to Beer and lived there to escape from Abimelech his half-brother.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Josh 19:8 Num 21:16 2 Sam 20:14

Judges 9:22²²Abimelech commanded Israel for three years.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:23²³God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyal to Abimelech.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 33:1 Isa 19:14 2 Thess 2:11-12 Isa 19:2 1 Kgs 12:15 1 Kgs 22:22-23 1 Sam 16:14-16 1 Sam 18:9-10 2 Chr 10:15 2 Chr 18:19-22

Judges 9:24²⁴He did this so the violent deaths of Jerub Baal’s seventy sons might be avenged and Abimelech, their half-brother who murdered them, might have to pay for their spilled blood, along with the leaders of Shechem who helped him murder them.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Kgs 2:32 Ps 7:16 Esth 9:25 1 Sam 15:33 Deut 27:25 Judg 9:56-57 Matt 23:34-36 Num 35:33

Judges 9:25²⁵The leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech by putting bandits in the hills, who robbed everyone who traveled by on the road. But Abimelech found out about it.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Prov 1:11-12 Josh 8:12-13 Josh 8:4

Judges 9:26²⁶Gaal son of Ebed came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 13:8 Gen 19:7

Judges 9:27²⁷They went out to the field, harvested their grapes, squeezed out the juice, and celebrated. They came to the temple of their god and ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:4 Luke 17:26-29 1 Sam 17:43 Amos 6:3-6 Dan 5:1-4 Dan 5:23 Exod 32:19 Exod 32:6 Isa 16:9-10 Isa 22:12-14

Judges 9:28²⁸Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed? Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech?Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 25:10 Gen 34:2 Gen 34:6 1 Kgs 12:16 2 Sam 20:1

Judges 9:29²⁹If only these men were under my command, I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech, “Muster your army and come out for battle!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 15:4 1 Kgs 20:11 2 Kgs 14:8 2 Kgs 18:23 2 Sam 2:14-17 Isa 36:8-9 Ps 10:3 Rom 1:30-31

Judges 9:30³⁰When Zebul, the city commissioner, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:31³¹He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah, reporting, “Beware! Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:32³²Now, come up at night with your men and set an ambush in the field outside the city.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Prov 1:11-16 Prov 4:16 Rom 3:15 Job 24:14-17 Ps 36:4

Judges 9:33³³In the morning at sunrise quickly attack the city. When he and his men come out to fight you, do what you can to him.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 10:7 Eccl 9:10 1 Sam 25:8 Lev 25:26

Judges 9:34³⁴So Abimelech and all his men came up at night and set an ambush outside Shechem; they divided into four units.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:35³⁵When Gaal son of Ebed came out and stood at the entrance to the city’s gate, Abimelech and his men got up from their hiding places.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:36³⁶Gaal saw the men and said to Zebul, “Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills—it just looks like men.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ezek 7:7 Mark 8:24

Judges 9:37³⁷Gaal again said, “Look, men are coming down from the very center of the land. A unit is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Deut 18:14

Judges 9:38³⁸Zebul said to him, “Where now are your bragging words, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the men you insulted? Go out now and fight them!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:28-29 2 Kgs 14:8-14 2 Sam 2:26-27 Jer 2:28

Judges 9:39³⁹So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out and fought Abimelech.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:40⁴⁰Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran from him. Many Shechemites fell wounded at the entrance of the gate.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Kgs 20:18-21 1 Kgs 20:30

Judges 9:41⁴¹Abimelech went back to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:28 Judg 9:30

Judges 9:42⁴²The next day the Shechemites came out to the field. When Abimelech heard about it,Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:43⁴³he took his men and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he attacked and struck them down.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:44⁴⁴Abimelech and his units attacked and blocked the entrance to the city’s gate. Two units then attacked all the people in the field and struck them down.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gal 5:15 Judg 9:15 Judg 9:20

Judges 9:45⁴⁵Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed all the people in it. Then he leveled the city and spread salt over it.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Kgs 3:25 Deut 29:23 1 Kgs 12:25 Ezek 47:11 Jas 2:13 Ps 107:34 Zeph 2:9

Judges 9:46⁴⁶When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard the news, they went to the stronghold of the temple of El Berith.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 8:33 Judg 9:4 Ps 115:8 1 Kgs 8:26 2 Kgs 1:2-4 Isa 28:15-18 Isa 37:38 Judg 9:27

Judges 9:47⁴⁷Abimelech heard that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were in one place.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:48⁴⁸He and all his men went up on Mount Zalmon. He took an ax in his hand and cut off a tree branch. He put it on his shoulder and said to his men, “Quickly, do what you have just seen me do!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ps 68:14 Judg 7:17-18 Prov 1:11-12

Judges 9:49⁴⁹So each of his men also cut off a branch and followed Abimelech. They put the branches against the stronghold and set fire to it. All the people of the Tower of Shechem died—about 1,000 men and women.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gal 5:15 Jas 3:16 Judg 9:15 Judg 9:20

Judges 9:50⁵⁰Abimelech moved on to Thebez; he besieged and captured it.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:51⁵¹There was a fortified tower in the center of the city, so all the men and women, as well as the city’s leaders, ran into it and locked the entrance. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Judges 9:52⁵²Abimelech came and attacked the tower. When he approached the entrance of the tower to set it on fire,Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Kgs 15:16 2 Kgs 14:10 Judg 9:48-49

Judges 9:53⁵³a woman threw an upper millstone down on his head and shattered his skull.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 11:21 Job 31:3 Jer 49:20 Jer 50:45 Judg 9:20 2 Sam 20:21 Judg 9:15

Judges 9:54⁵⁴He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons, “Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man stabbed him and he died.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Sam 31:4-5

Judges 9:55⁵⁵When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:2 Sam 18:16 Prov 22:10 1 Kgs 22:35-36 2 Sam 20:21-22

Judges 9:56⁵⁶God repaid Abimelech for the evil he did to his father by murdering his seventy half brothers.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ps 94:23 Prov 5:22 Gal 6:7 Judg 9:24 Matt 7:2 Ps 11:6 Ps 58:10-11 Ps 9:12 Acts 28:4 Job 31:3

Judges 9:57⁵⁷God also repaid the men of Shechem for their evil deeds. The curse spoken by Jotham son of Jerub Baal fell on them.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Judg 9:20 1 Kgs 16:34 Josh 6:26 Judg 9:45