Thematic Bible
Judges 9:1 (show verse)
Gideon's son Abimelech went to the town of Shechem. All his mother's relatives lived there. He told them:
Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Judges of israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Plotting » General examples of
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers
Conspiracy » General examples of
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Judges of israel » Names of the rulers before saul was anointed king » 6 abimelech
Plotting » General examples of
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers
Judges 9:2 (show verse)
Ask the men of Shechem: 'Which is better for you. To have all seventy of Gideon's sons govern you or to have just one man? Remember that Abimelech is your own flesh and blood.'
Judges 9:3 (show verse)
His mother's relatives talked to the men of Shechem about this for him. The men of Shechem decided to follow Abimelech because: He is our relative.
Judges 9:4 (show verse)
They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to join him.
Judges 9:5 (show verse)
He went to his father's house at Ophrah. There on top of a single stone he killed his seventy brothers, Gideon's sons. Gideon's youngest son Jotham hid and therefore was not killed.
Ambition » Instances of » Abimelech
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Fratricide » Instances of » Abimelech
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Fratricide
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Murder » Examples of
Ophrah » A city » Tribe of manasseh » Home of » gideon
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers
Conspiracy » Instances of » Abimelech against gideon's sons
Fratricide » Instances of » Abimelech
Home » Family » Hard to bear causes of » Fratricide
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Murder » Examples of
Ophrah » A city » Tribe of manasseh » Home of » gideon
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers
Judges 9:6 (show verse)
All the men of Shechem and Bethmillo got together and went to the sacred oak tree at Shechem, where they made Abimelech king.
Judges 9:7 (show verse)
Jotham heard about this. He stood on top of Mount Gerizim and shouted out to them: Men of Shechem, listen to me and God may listen to you!
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Gerizim » Jotham addresses the shechemites from, against the conspiracy of abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Mountains » Names of » Gerizim, in samaria
Mountains » Mentioned in scripture » Gerizim
Parables » Of the old testament » Of jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Truth » Illustrated in parables of the old testament » Of jotham
Gerizim » Jotham addresses the shechemites from, against the conspiracy of abimelech
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
The tribe of Manasseh » Remarkable persons of » Jotham
Mountains » Names of » Gerizim, in samaria
Mountains » Mentioned in scripture » Gerizim
Parables » Of the old testament » Of jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Truth » Illustrated in parables of the old testament » Of jotham
Judges 9:8 (show verse)
The trees went out to anoint a king over them. They said to the olive tree: 'Be our king.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
sacred Anointing » Persons who received » Kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive » Fable of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
sacred Anointing » Persons who received » Kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive » Fable of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:9 (show verse)
The olive tree answered: 'I would have to stop producing my oil in order to govern you. My oil is used to honor gods and human beings.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive Trees » Described as » Fat and unctuous
Olive Trees » Good for the service of God and man
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Olive
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Olive Trees » Described as » Fat and unctuous
Olive Trees » Good for the service of God and man
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Olive
Judges 9:10 (show verse)
Then the trees said to the fig tree: 'Come and be our king.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Fig
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Trees » Varieties » Fig
Judges 9:11 (show verse)
The fig tree replied: 'I would have to stop producing my good sweet fruit that I may govern you.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Fig tree » In an allegory
Fig tree » Produces a rich sweet fruit
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Fig tree » In an allegory
Fig tree » Produces a rich sweet fruit
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:12 (show verse)
Then the trees spoke to the grapevine: 'You come and be our king.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Grape » Figurative » Fable of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Vine » Fable of
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Grape » Figurative » Fable of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Vine » Fable of
Judges 9:13 (show verse)
But the vine answered: 'I could not govern you for I would have to stop producing my wine. It makes gods and human beings happy.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Grape » Figurative » Fable of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Vine » Fable of
Wine » Characterized as » Cheering God and man
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Grape » Figurative » Fable of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Vine » Fable of
Wine » Characterized as » Cheering God and man
Judges 9:14 (show verse)
So then all the trees said to the thorn bush: 'You come and be our king!
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:15 (show verse)
The thorn bush answered: 'If you really want to make me your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. If you do not, fire will blaze out of my thorny branches and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
Allegory » Of the trees seeking a king
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Cedars » Lebanon celebrated for
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Lebanon » Cedars of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Anointing » In consecration » Of kings
Bible stories for children » The king of the forest
Bramble » Allegory of
Cedars » Lebanon celebrated for
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Lebanon » Cedars of
Parables » Remarkable parables of the old testament
Parables » Of the trees
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:16 (show verse)
Think about it, Jotham continued: 'Were you really honest and sincere when you made Abimelech king? Have you respected Gideon's memory? Did you treat his family properly, as his actions deserved?
Judges 9:17 (show verse)
My father fought for you. He risked his life to deliver you from the Midianites.
Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Leaders » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Religious » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Leaders » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Religious » Men of God » Men raised up as deliverers of israel
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:18 (show verse)
Today you turned against my father's family. You killed his sons, seventy men on a single stone. And this because Abimelech, his son by his servant woman, is your relative, you have made him king of Shechem.
Fatherless » Exemplified » Jotham
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Ingratitude » To man, instances of
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Homicide » Instances of felonious » Abimelech
Ingratitude » To man, instances of
Ingratitude » Of man to man » Shechemites
Jotham » Son of gideon » Rebukes the shechemites with the parable about the trees
Judge » Abimelech
Orphan » Instances of » Jotham
Sarcasm » Instances of » By jotham
Judges 9:19 (show verse)
If you have acted in truth and sincerity today to Gideon and his family then be happy with Abimelech and let him be happy with you.
Judges 9:20 (show verse)
But if not, may fire blaze out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Bethmillo. May fire blaze out from the men of Shechem and Bethmillo and burn Abimelech up.'
Judges 9:21 (show verse)
Jotham ran away to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Judges 9:22 (show verse)
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
Judges 9:23 (show verse)
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Judges 9:24 (show verse)
That the cruelty done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be avenged on their brother Abimelech. For he killed them and the men of Shechem helped him kill his brother.
Judges 9:25 (show verse)
And the men of Shechem set men in ambush on the top of the mountains. They robbed all who came along that way. This was reported to Abimelech.
Judges 9:26 (show verse)
Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
Judges 9:27 (show verse)
They all went to their vineyards and picked the grapes. Then they made wine from them, and held a festival. They went to the temple of their god, where they ate and drank and made fun of Abimelech.
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Vintage
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Grape » Grown » At shechem
Harvest » Celebrated with joy
Judge » Abimelech
Revelry » Revelry at social functions
Social functions » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Social life » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Ebed » Father of gaal
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Vintage
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Grape » Grown » At shechem
Harvest » Celebrated with joy
Judge » Abimelech
Revelry » Revelry at social functions
Social functions » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Social life » Wedding feasts » Revelry at
Judges 9:28 (show verse)
Gaal said: Who is Abimelech and who is Schechem that we should serve them? Who is he? The son of Gideon! And Zebul takes orders from him, but why should we serve him? Be loyal to your ancestor Hamor, the one who founded your clan!
Judges 9:29 (show verse)
If I were leading this people I would get rid of Abimelech! I would tell him to: call out your army, come on out and fight!
Judges 9:30 (show verse)
The ruler of the city, Zebul, became angry when he heard what Gaal said.
Judges 9:31 (show verse)
He sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah. They said: Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. They are not going to let you enter into the city.
Judges 9:32 (show verse)
You and your men should move by night and hide in the fields.
Judges 9:33 (show verse)
Get up early in the morning at sunrise and attack the city. When he and the people who are with him come out against you do what you can against them.
Judges 9:34 (show verse)
Abimelech and all his troops, in four companies, took up concealed positions at night against Shechem.
Ambush » Instances of » At shechem
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Those engaged in » Frequently laid ambushes
Zebul » An officer of abimelech
Armies » March in ranks » Ambushes at shechem
Conspiracy » Instances of » Gaal, against abimelech
Ebed » Father of gaal
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
Judge » Abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Those engaged in » Frequently laid ambushes
Zebul » An officer of abimelech
Judges 9:35 (show verse)
Abimelech and his men saw Gaal come out and stand at the city gate. So they got up from their hiding places.
Judges 9:36 (show verse)
Gaal saw them and said to Zebul: There are men coming down from the mountaintops! Zebul answered: They are not men. They are only shadows on the mountains.
Judges 9:37 (show verse)
Gaal responded: Do you see? There are men coming down from the top of the mountain. Some are coming along the road from the big tree of Meonenim (big tree of magic)!
Judges 9:38 (show verse)
Zebul said to him: Where is all your big talk now? You asked why we should serve this man Abimelech. These are the men you made fun of. You go fight them!
Judges 9:39 (show verse)
Gaal led the men of Shechem out to fight Abimelech.
Judges 9:40 (show verse)
Abimelech chased Gaal, and Gaal ran away. Many were wounded at the city gate.
Judges 9:41 (show verse)
Abimelech lived in Arumah. Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. They could no longer live there.
Judges 9:42 (show verse)
The next day it was reported to Abimelech that the people of Shechem were planning to go out into the fields.
Judges 9:43 (show verse)
He divided his men into three groups. They hid in the fields, waiting. When he saw the people come out of the city, he came out of hiding to kill them.
Judges 9:44 (show verse)
Abimelech and his group rushed forward to guard the city gate. The other two companies attacked the people in the fields and killed all of them.
Judges 9:45 (show verse)
The fighting lasted all day. Abimelech captured the city and killed its people. He tore down the city and covered the ground with salt.
Cities » Were frequently » Razed and sown with salt
Judge » Abimelech
Salt » Places sown with, to denote perpetual desolation
Shechem » Also called sychar, a city of refuge in mount ephraim » Destroyed by abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Sometimes sown with salt
Sieges » Frequently broken down
Judge » Abimelech
Salt » Places sown with, to denote perpetual desolation
Shechem » Also called sychar, a city of refuge in mount ephraim » Destroyed by abimelech
Sieges » Mentioned in scripture » Shechem
Sieges » Sometimes sown with salt
Sieges » Frequently broken down
Judges 9:46 (show verse)
When all the men in the fort at Shechem heard this, they sought safety in the stronghold of the temple of Baal-Berith.
Judges 9:47 (show verse)
Abimelech was informed that they had gathered there,
Judges 9:48 (show verse)
He traveled up to Mount Zalmon with his men. He took an ax, cut a limb off a tree, and put it on his shoulder. He told his men to hurry and do the same thing.
Judges 9:49 (show verse)
So everyone cut off a tree limb. They followed Abimelech and piled the wood up against the stronghold. They set the fort on fire. All the people of the fort died. About a thousand men and women died.
Judges 9:50 (show verse)
Then Abimelech went to Thebez. They surrounded that city, and captured it.
Judges 9:51 (show verse)
There was a strong tower there. The men and women in the city, including the leaders, ran to it. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof.
Judges 9:52 (show verse)
When Abimelech attacked the tower he went to the door to set the tower on fire.
Judges 9:53 (show verse)
A woman threw a millstone down on his head and fractured his skull.
Judges 9:54 (show verse)
He quickly called the young man who was carrying his weapons and told him: Draw your sword and kill me. I do not want it said that a woman killed me. The young man ran him through with his sword and he died.
Judges 9:55 (show verse)
The Israelites went home as soon as they saw that Abimelech was dead.
Judges 9:56 (show verse)
Thus God paid Abimelech back for the crime that he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers.
Judges 9:57 (show verse)
God also made the men of Shechem suffer for their wickedness. Jotham, Gideon's son, said they would when he cursed them.