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1. Abimelech was the son of Jerub Baal (Gideon). Abimelech went to his uncles who lived in the city of Shechem. He said to his uncles and all of his mother's family,
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1. And Abimelech H40 the son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 went H1980 to Shechem H7927 unto H413 his mother H517 's brethren H251 , and communed H1696 with H413 them , and with H413 all H3605 the family H4940 of the house H1004 of his mother H517 's father H1 , saying H559 ,
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2. "Ask the leaders of the city of Shechem this question: 'Is it better for you to be ruled by the 70 sons of Jerub Baal or to be ruled by only one man? Remember, I am your relative.'"
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2. Speak H1696 , I pray you H4994 , in the ears H241 of all H3605 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , Whether H4100 is better H2896 for you , either that all H3605 the sons H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 , which are threescore and ten H7657 persons H376 , reign H4910 over you, or H518 that one H259 reign H4910 over you? remember H2142 also that H3588 I H589 am your bone H6106 and your flesh H1320 .
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3. Abimelech's uncles spoke to the leaders of Shechem and asked them that question. The leaders of Shechem decided to follow Abimelech. They said, "After all, he is our brother."
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3. And his mother H517 's brethren H251 spoke H1696 of H5921 him in the ears H241 of all H3605 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 H853 all H3605 these H428 words H1697 : and their hearts H3820 inclined to follow H5186 H310 Abimelech H40 ; for H3588 they said H559 , He H1931 is our brother H251 .
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4. So the leaders of Shechem gave Abimelech 70 pieces of silver. That silver was from the temple of the god Baal Berith. Abimelech used the silver to hire some men. These men were worthless, reckless men. They followed Abimelech wherever he went.
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4. And they gave H5414 him threescore and ten H7657 pieces of silver H3701 out of the house H4480 H1004 of Baal H1170 -berith , wherewith Abimelech H40 hired H7936 vain H7386 and light H6348 persons H376 , which followed H1980 H310 him.
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5. Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah and murdered his brothers. He killed the 70 sons of his father, Jerub Baal. He killed them all at the same time, but Jerub Baal's youngest son hid from Abimelech and escaped. The youngest son's name was Jotham.
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5. And he went H935 unto his father H1 's house H1004 at Ophrah H6084 , and slew H2026 H853 his brethren H251 the sons H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 , being threescore and ten H7657 persons H376 , upon H5921 one H259 stone H68 : notwithstanding yet Jotham H3147 the youngest H6996 son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 was left H3498 ; for H3588 he hid himself H2244 .
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6. Then all of the leaders in Shechem and the house of Millo came together. Everyone gathered beside the big tree of the pillar in Shechem and made Abimelech their king.
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6. And all H3605 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 gathered together H622 , and all H3605 the house of Millo H1037 , and went H1980 , and made H4427 H853 Abimelech H40 king H4428 , by H5973 the plain H436 of the pillar H5324 that H834 was in Shechem H7927 .
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7. Jotham heard that the leaders of the city of Shechem had made Abimelech king. When he heard this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted out this story to the people: "Listen to me you leaders of the city of Shechem. Then let God listen to you.
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7. And when they told H5046 it to Jotham H3147 , he went H1980 and stood H5975 in the top H7218 of mount H2022 Gerizim H1630 , and lifted up H5375 his voice H6963 , and cried H7121 , and said H559 unto them, Hearken H8085 unto H413 me , ye men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , that God H430 may hearken H8085 unto H413 you.
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8. "One day the trees decided to choose a king to rule over them. The trees said to the olive tree, 'You be king over us.'
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8. The trees H6086 went forth H1980 H1980 on a time to anoint H4886 a king H4428 over H5921 them ; and they said H559 unto the olive tree H2132 , Reign H4427 thou over H5921 us.
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9. "But the olive tree said, 'My oil is used to honor gods and humans. Should I stop making my oil just to go and sway over the other trees?'
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9. But the olive tree H2132 said H559 unto them , Should I leave H2308 H853 my fatness H1880 , wherewith H834 by me they honor H3513 God H430 and man H376 , and go H1980 to be promoted H5128 over H5921 the trees H6086 ?
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10. "Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'
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10. And the trees H6086 said H559 to the fig tree H8384 , Come H1980 thou H859 , and reign H4427 over H5921 us.
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11. "But the fig tree answered, 'Should I stop making my good, sweet fruit just to go and sway over the other trees?'
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11. But the fig tree H8384 said H559 unto them , Should I forsake H2308 H853 my sweetness H4987 , and my good H2896 fruit H8570 , and go H1980 to be promoted H5128 over H5921 the trees H6086 ?
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12. "Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'
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12. Then said H559 the trees H6086 unto the vine H1612 , Come H1980 thou H859 , and reign H4427 over H5921 us.
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13. "But the vine answered, 'My wine makes men and kings happy. Should I stop making my wine just to go and sway over the trees?'
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13. And the vine H1612 said H559 unto them , Should I leave H2308 H853 my wine H8492 , which cheereth H8055 God H430 and man H376 , and go H1980 to be promoted H5128 over H5921 the trees H6086 ?
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14. "Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'
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14. Then said H559 all H3605 the trees H6086 unto H413 the bramble H329 , Come H1980 thou H859 , and reign H4427 over H5921 us.
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15. "But the thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to make me king over you, come and find shelter in my shade. But if you don't want to do this, let fire come out of the thornbush. Let the fire burn even the cedar trees of Lebanon.'
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15. And the bramble H329 said H559 unto H413 the trees H6086 , If H518 in truth H571 ye H859 anoint H4886 me king H4428 over H5921 you, then come H935 and put your trust H2620 in my shadow H6738 : and if H518 not H369 , let fire H784 come out H3318 of H4480 the bramble H329 , and devour H398 H853 the cedars H730 of Lebanon H3844 .
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16. "Now if you were completely honest when you made Abimelech king, may you be happy with him. And if you have been fair to Jerub Baal (Gideon) and his family, and if you have treated him as you should, this is also good.
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16. Now H6258 therefore, if H518 ye have done H6213 truly H571 and sincerely H8549 , in that ye have made Abimelech king H4427 H853 H40 , and if H518 ye have dealt H6213 well H2896 with H5973 Jerubbaal H3378 and his house H1004 , and have done H6213 unto him according to the deserving H1576 of his hands H3027 ;
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17. But remember what my father did for you. He fought for you and risked his life when he saved you from the Midianites.
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17. ( For H834 my father H1 fought H3898 for H5921 you , and adventured H7993 H853 his life H5315 far H4480 H5048 , and delivered H5337 you out of the hand H4480 H3027 of Midian H4080 :
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18. But now you have turned against my father's family. You have killed 70 of his sons all at the same time. You made Abimelech the new king over the city of Shechem. He is only the son of my father's slave girl. But you made him king because he is your relative.
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18. And ye H859 are risen up H6965 against H5921 my father H1 's house H1004 this day H3117 , and have slain H2026 H853 his sons H1121 , threescore and ten H7657 persons H376 , upon H5921 one H259 stone H68 , and have made H853 Abimelech H40 , the son H1121 of his maidservant H519 , king H4427 over H5921 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , because H3588 he H1931 is your brother H251 ;)
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19. So if you have been completely honest to Jerub Baal and his family today, then may you be happy with Abimelech as your king. And may he be happy with you.
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19. If H518 ye then have dealt H6213 truly H571 and sincerely H8549 with H5973 Jerubbaal H3378 and with H5973 his house H1004 this H2088 day H3117 , then rejoice H8055 ye in Abimelech H40 , and let him H1931 also H1571 rejoice H8055 in you:
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20. But leaders of Shechem and the house of Millo, if you have not acted right, may Abimelech destroy you. And may Abimelech be destroyed too!"
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20. But if H518 not H369 , let fire H784 come out H3318 from Abimelech H4480 H40 , and devour H398 H853 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , and the house H1004 of Millo H4407 ; and let fire H784 come out H3318 from the men H4480 H1167 of Shechem H7927 , and from the house H4480 H1004 of Millo H4407 , and devour H398 H853 Abimelech H40 .
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21. After Jotham had said this, he ran away and escaped to the city named Beer. He stayed there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.
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21. And Jotham H3147 ran away H5127 , and fled H1272 , and went H1980 to Beer H876 , and dwelt H3427 there H8033 , for fear H4480 H6440 of Abimelech H40 his brother H251 .
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22. Abimelech ruled the Israelites for three years.
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22. When Abimelech H40 had reigned H7786 three H7969 years H8141 over H5921 Israel H3478 ,
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23. Abimelech had killed Jerub Baal's (Gideon) 70 sons�and they were his own brothers. The leaders of Shechem had supported him in doing this evil thing. So God caused trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. And they began planning ways to hurt Abimelech.
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23. Then God H430 sent H7971 an evil H7451 spirit H7307 between H996 Abimelech H40 and the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 ; and the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 dealt treacherously H898 with Abimelech H40 :
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24. vnumber="24">
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24. That the cruelty H2555 done to the threescore and ten H7657 sons H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 might come H935 , and their blood H1818 be laid H7760 upon H5921 Abimelech H40 their brother H251 , which H834 slew H2026 them ; and upon H5921 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , which H834 aided H2388 H853 H3027 him in the killing H2026 of H853 his brethren H251 .
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25. The leaders of the city of Shechem did not like Abimelech anymore. They put men on the hilltops to attack and rob everyone who went by. Abimelech found out about the attacks.
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25. And the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 set H7760 liers in wait H693 for him in H5921 the top H7218 of the mountains H2022 , and they robbed H1497 H853 all H3605 that H834 came along H5674 that way H1870 by H5921 them : and it was told H5046 Abimelech H40 .
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26. A man named Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers moved to the city of Shechem. The leaders of the city of Shechem decided to trust and follow Gaal.
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26. And Gaal H1603 the son H1121 of Ebed H5651 came H935 with his brethren H251 , and went over H5674 to Shechem H7927 : and the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 put their confidence H982 in him.
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27. One day the people of Shechem went out to the vineyards to pick grapes. They squeezed the grapes to make wine. And then they had a party at the temple of their god. The people ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.
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27. And they went out H3318 into the fields H7704 , and gathered H1219 H853 their vineyards H3754 , and trod H1869 the grapes , and made H6213 merry H1974 , and went into H935 the house H1004 of their god H430 , and did eat H398 and drink H8354 , and cursed H7043 H853 Abimelech H40 .
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28. Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "We are the men of Shechem. Why should we obey Abimelech? Who does he think he is? Abimelech is one of Jerub Baal's sons, right? And Abimelech made Zebul his officer, right? We should not obey Abimelech. We should follow our own people, men from Hamor. (Hamor was the father of Shechem.)
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28. And Gaal H1603 the son H1121 of Ebed H5651 said H559 , Who H4310 is Abimelech H40 , and who H4310 is Shechem H7927 , that H3588 we should serve H5647 him? is not H3808 he the son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 ? and Zebul H2083 his officer H6496 ? serve H5647 H853 the men H376 of Hamor H2544 the father H1 of Shechem H7928 : for why H4069 should we H587 serve H5647 him?
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29. If you make me the commander of these people, I will destroy Abimelech. I will say to him, 'Get your army ready and come out to battle.'"
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29. And would to God H4310 H5414 H853 this H2088 people H5971 were under my hand H3027 ! then would I remove H5493 H853 Abimelech H40 . And he said H559 to Abimelech H40 , Increase H7235 thine army H6635 , and come out H3318 .
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30. Zebul was the governor of the city of Shechem. Zebul heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, and he became very angry.
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30. And when Zebul H2083 the ruler H8269 of the city H5892 heard H8085 H853 the words H1697 of Gaal H1603 the son H1121 of Ebed H5651 , his anger H639 was kindled H2734 .
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31. Zebul sent messengers to Abimelech in the city of Arumah. This is the message: "Gaal son of Ebed and Gaal's brothers have come to the city of Shechem. They are making trouble for you. Gaal is turning the whole city against you.
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31. And he sent H7971 messengers H4397 unto H413 Abimelech H40 privily H8649 , saying H559 , Behold H2009 , Gaal H1603 the son H1121 of Ebed H5651 and his brethren H251 be come H935 to Shechem H7927 ; and, behold H2009 , they fortify H6696 H853 the city H5892 against H5921 thee.
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32. So now you and your men should come tonight and hide in the fields outside the city.
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32. Now H6258 therefore up H6965 by night H3915 , thou H859 and the people H5971 that H834 is with H854 thee , and lie in wait H693 in the field H7704 :
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33. When the sun comes up in the morning, attack the city. Gaal and his men will come out of the city to fight you. When they come out to fight, do what you can to them."
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33. And it shall be H1961 , that in the morning H1242 , as soon as the sun H8121 is up H2224 , thou shalt rise early H7925 , and set H6584 upon H5921 the city H5892 : and, behold H2009 , when he H1931 and the people H5971 that H834 is with H854 him come out H3318 against H413 thee , then mayest thou do H6213 to them as H834 thou shalt find H4672 occasion H3027 .
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34. So Abimelech and all his soldiers got up during the night and went to the city. The soldiers separated into four groups. They hid near the city of Shechem.
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34. And Abimelech H40 rose up H6965 , and all H3605 the people H5971 that H834 were with H5973 him , by night H3915 , and they laid wait H693 against H5921 Shechem H7927 in four H702 companies H7218 .
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35. Gaal son of Ebed went out and was standing at the entrance to the gate of the city of Shechem. While Gaal was standing there, Abimelech and his soldiers came out of their hiding places.
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35. And Gaal H1603 the son H1121 of Ebed H5651 went out H3318 , and stood H5975 in the entering H6607 of the gate H8179 of the city H5892 : and Abimelech H40 rose up H6965 , and the people H5971 that H834 were with H854 him, from H4480 lying in wait H3993 .
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36. When 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 shadows just look like people."
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36. And when Gaal H1603 saw H7200 H853 the people H5971 , he said H559 to H413 Zebul H2083 , Behold H2009 , there come people down H3381 H5971 from the top H4480 H7218 of the mountains H2022 . And Zebul H2083 said H559 unto H413 him, Thou H859 seest H7200 H853 the shadow H6738 of the mountains H2022 as if they were men H376 .
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37. But again Gaal said, "Look, there are some people coming down from that place over there by Land's Navel. And there! I saw someone's head over by Magician's Tree. "
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37. And Gaal H1603 spoke H1696 again H3254 and said H559 , See H2009 there come people down H3381 H5971 by H4480 H5973 the middle H2872 of the land H776 , and another H259 company H7218 come H935 along by H4480 H5973 the plain H436 of Meonenim H6049 .
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38. Zebul said to Gaal, "Why aren't you bragging now? You said, 'Who is Abimelech? Why should we obey him?' You made fun of these men. Now go out and fight them."
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38. Then said H559 Zebul H2083 unto H413 him, Where H346 is now H645 thy mouth H6310 , wherewith H834 thou saidst H559 , Who H4310 is Abimelech H40 , that H3588 we should serve H5647 him? is not H3808 this H2088 the people H5971 that H834 thou hast despised H3988 ? go out H3318 , I pray H4994 now H6258 , and fight H3898 with them.
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39. So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out to fight Abimelech.
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39. And Gaal H1603 went out H3318 before H6440 the men H1167 of Shechem H7927 , and fought H3898 with Abimelech H40 .
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40. Abimelech and his men chased Gaal and his men. Gaal's men ran back toward the gate of the city of Shechem, but many were killed before they could get back to the gate.
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40. And Abimelech H40 chased H7291 him , and he fled H5127 before H4480 H6440 him , and many H7227 were overthrown H5307 and wounded H2491 , even unto H5704 the entering H6607 of the gate H8179 .
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41. Then Abimelech returned to the city of Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his brothers to leave the city of Shechem.
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41. And Abimelech H40 dwelt H3427 at Arumah H725 : and Zebul H2083 thrust out H1644 H853 Gaal H1603 and his brethren H251 , that they should not dwell H4480 H3427 in Shechem H7927 .
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42. The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields to work. Abimelech found out about it.
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42. And it came to pass H1961 on the morrow H4480 H4283 , that the people H5971 went out H3318 into the field H7704 ; and they told H5046 Abimelech H40 .
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43. So Abimelech separated his men into three groups. He wanted to attack the people of Shechem by surprise. So he hid his men in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he jumped up and attacked them.
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43. And he took H3947 H853 the people H5971 , and divided H2673 them into three H7969 companies H7218 , and laid wait H693 in the field H7704 , and looked H7200 , and, behold H2009 , the people H5971 were come forth H3318 out of H4480 the city H5892 ; and he rose up H6965 against H5921 them , and smote H5221 them.
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44. Abimelech and his group ran to a place near the gate to Shechem. The other two groups ran out to the people in the fields and killed them.
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44. And Abimelech H40 , and the company H7218 that H834 was with H5973 him , rushed forward H6584 , and stood H5975 in the entering H6607 of the gate H8179 of the city H5892 : and the two H8147 other companies H7218 ran H6584 upon H5921 all H3605 the people that H834 were in the fields H7704 , and slew H5221 them.
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45. Abimelech and his men fought against the city of Shechem all that day. They captured the city of Shechem and killed its people. Then Abimelech tore down the city and threw salt over the ruins.
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45. And Abimelech H40 fought H3898 against the city H5892 all H3605 that H1931 day H3117 ; and he took H3920 H853 the city H5892 , and slew H2026 the people H5971 that H834 was therein , and beat down H5422 H853 the city H5892 , and sowed H2232 it with salt H4417 .
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46. There were some people who lived at the Tower of Shechem. When they heard what had happened to Shechem, they gathered together in the safest room of the temple of the god El Berith.
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46. And when all H3605 the men H1167 of the tower H4026 of Shechem H7927 heard H8085 that , they entered H935 into H413 a hold H6877 of the house H1004 of the god H410 Berith H1286 .
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47. Abimelech heard that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem had gathered together.
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47. And it was told H5046 Abimelech H40 , that H3588 all H3605 the men H1167 of the tower H4026 of Shechem H7927 were gathered together H6908 .
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48. So Abimelech and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took an ax and cut off some branches and carried them on his shoulders. Then Abimelech said to the men with him, "Hurry! Do the same thing that I have done."
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48. And Abimelech H40 got him up H5927 to mount H2022 Zalmon H6756 , he H1931 and all H3605 the people H5971 that H834 were with H854 him ; and Abimelech H40 took H3947 H853 an axe H7134 in his hand H3027 , and cut down H3772 a bough H7754 from the trees H6086 , and took H5375 it , and laid H7760 it on H5921 his shoulder H7926 , and said H559 unto H413 the people H5971 that H834 were with H5973 him, What H4100 ye have seen H7200 me do H6213 , make haste H4116 , and do H6213 as I H3644 have done .
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49. So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelech. They piled the branches against the safest room of the temple of the god El Berith. Then they set the branches on fire and burned the people in the room. About 1000 men and women living near the Tower of Shechem died.
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49. And all H3605 the people H5971 likewise H1571 cut down H3772 every man H376 his bough H7754 , and followed H1980 H310 Abimelech H40 , and put H7760 them to H5921 the hold H6877 , and set H3341 H853 the hold H6877 on fire H784 upon H5921 them ; so that all H3605 the men H376 of the tower H4026 of Shechem H7927 died H4191 also H1571 , about a thousand H505 men H376 and women H802 .
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50. Then Abimelech and his men went to the city of Thebez and captured that city.
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50. Then went H1980 Abimelech H40 to H413 Thebez H8405 , and encamped H2583 against Thebez H8405 , and took H3920 it.
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51. But inside the city there was a strong tower, so all the leaders and other men and women of that city ran to the tower. When the people were inside the tower, they locked the door behind them. Then they climbed up to the roof of the tower.
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51. But there was H1961 a strong H5797 tower H4026 within H8432 the city H5892 , and thither H8033 fled H5127 all H3605 the men H376 and women H802 , and all H3605 they H1167 of the city H5892 , and shut H5462 it to H1157 them , and got them up H5927 to H5921 the top H1406 of the tower H4026 .
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52. Abimelech and his men came to the tower to attack it. Abimelech went up to the door of the tower to burn it.
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52. And Abimelech H40 came H935 unto H5704 the tower H4026 , and fought H3898 against it , and went hard H5066 unto H5704 the door H6607 of the tower H4026 to burn H8313 it with fire H784 .
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53. But, while Abimelech was standing at the door of the tower, a woman on the roof dropped a grinding stone on his head. The grinding stone crushed his skull.
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53. And a certain H259 woman H802 cast H7993 a piece H6400 of a millstone H7393 upon H5921 Abimelech H40 's head H7218 , and all to broke H7533 H853 his skull H1538 .
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54. Abimelech quickly said to the servant who carried his weapons, "Take out your sword and kill me. I want you to kill me so that people will not say, 'A woman killed Abimelech.'" So the servant stabbed Abimelech with his sword, and he died.
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54. Then he called H7121 hastily H4120 unto H413 the young man H5288 his armorbearer H5375 H3627 , and said H559 unto him, Draw H8025 thy sword H2719 , and slay H4191 me, that H6435 men say H559 not of me , A woman H802 slew H2026 him . And his young man H5288 thrust him through H1856 , and he died H4191 .
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55. The Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, so they all went back home.
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55. And when the men H376 of Israel H3478 saw H7200 that H3588 Abimelech H40 was dead H4191 , they departed H1980 every man H376 unto his place H4725 .
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56. In that way God punished Abimelech for all the bad things he had done. Abimelech sinned against his own father by killing his 70 brothers.
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56. Thus God H430 rendered H7725 H853 the wickedness H7451 of Abimelech H40 , which H834 he did H6213 unto his father H1 , in slaying H2026 H853 his seventy H7657 brethren H251 :
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57. God also punished the men of the city of Shechem for the bad things they had done. So the things said by Jotham son of Jerub Baal (Gideon) came true.
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57. And all H3605 the evil H7451 of the men H376 of Shechem H7927 did God H430 render H7725 upon their heads H7218 : and upon H413 them came H935 the curse H7045 of Jotham H3147 the son H1121 of Jerubbaal H3378 .
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