Study Desk

Now ^(C1)Abimelech the son of ^(F1)Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother's relatives, and spoke to them and to the entire family of the household of his mother's father, saying,

"Speak, now, in the hearing of all the ^(F1)leaders of Shechem, 'Which is better for you: for ^(C1)seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, to rule over you, or for one man to rule over you?' Also, remember that I am ^(C2)your bone and your flesh."

So his mother's relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the ^(F1)leaders of Shechem; and ^(F2)they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is ^(C1)our relative."

And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of ^(C1)Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men, and they followed him.

Then he went to his father's house in Ophrah and ^(C1)killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, ^(C2)seventy men, ^(F1)on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

All the ^(F1)leaders of Shechem and all ^(F2)Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the ^(F3)oak of the memorial stone which was in Shechem.