Study Desk

And it came to pass, on the morrow, that the people went forth into the field, - and they told Abimelech.

So he took the people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field, - and he looked, and lo! the people coming forth out of the city, so he rose up against them, and smote them.

And, Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, spread themselves out, and one of the companies took their stand at the opening of the gate of the city, - while, the two companies, spread themselves out against all that were in the field, and smote them.

And, Abimelech, fought against the city, all that day, and captured the city, the people also that were therein, he slew, - and brake down the city, and sowed it with salt.

And, when all the owners of the tower of Shechem heard, they entered into the basement of the house of El-berith.

And it was told Abimelech, that all the owners of the tower of Shechem had gathered themselves together.

So Abimelech went up Mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him, and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and lifted it, and laid it on his shoulder, - and said unto the people that were with him - What ye have seen me do, haste! do likewise.

So, even all the people cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and laid them over the basement, and set it on fire over them who were therein, - even all the men of the tower of Shechem died about a thousand men and women.

Then went Abimelech unto Thebez, - and encamped against Thebez, and captured it.

Now, a strong tower, was in the midst of the city, and there fled thither all the men and the women, and all the owners of the city, and shut themselves in, - and went up on the roof of the tower.

And Abimelech came in as far as the tower, and fought against it, - and so came near, as far as the entrance of the tower, to burn it with fire.

And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon the head of Abimelech, - and brake in pieces his skull.

Then called he hastily unto the young man bearing his armour, and said unto him - Draw thy sword, and put me to death, lest they say of me, A woman, slew him! So his young man thrust him through, and he died.

And, when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was, dead, they went their way every man to his own place.

Thus did God requite the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father, in slaying his seventy brethren;

all the wickedness also, of the men of Shechem, did God requite upon their own head, - and so brought in upon, them the curse of Jotham, son of Jerubbaal.