Add parallel Print Page Options

16-18 My father Gideon risked his life for you when he fought to rescue you from the Midianites. Did you reward Gideon by being kind to his family? No, you did not! You attacked his family and killed all 70 of his sons on that rock.

And was it right to make Abimelech your king? He's merely the son of my father's slave girl.[a] But just because he's your relative, you made him king of Shechem.

19 So, you leaders of Shechem, if you treated Gideon and his family the way you should have, then I hope you and Abimelech will make each other very happy. 20 But if it was wrong to treat Gideon and his family the way you did, then I pray that Abimelech will destroy you with fire, and I pray that you will do the same to him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9.16-18 son of … slave girl: See 8.31.

18 But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons(A) on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today?(B) If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out(C) from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem(D) and Beth Millo,(E) and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”

Read full chapter