Y Abimelec, hijo de Jerobaal^a, fue a Siquem, a los parientes¹ de su madre, y les habló a ellos y a toda la familia de la casa del padre de su madre, diciendo: 2 Hablad ahora a oídos de todos los habitantes¹ de Siquem: «¿Qué es mejor para vosotros, que todos los hijos de Jerobaal, setenta hombres^a, reinen sobre vosotros, o que reine sobre vosotros un solo hombre?». Además, acordaos que yo soy hueso vuestro y carne vuestra^b. 3 Y los parientes de su madre hablaron todas estas palabras por él a oídos de todos los habitantes de Siquem; y ellos se inclinaron a seguir a¹ Abimelec, porque dijeron: Es pariente nuestro^a. 4 Y le dieron setenta piezas de plata de la casa de Baal-berit^a, con las cuales Abimelec tomó a sueldo hombres indignos y temerarios que lo siguieron. 5 Luego fue a la casa de su padre en Ofra y mató a sus hermanos, los hijos de Jerobaal, setenta hombres^a, sobre una piedra. Pero Jotam, el hijo menor de Jerobaal, se libró¹ porque se escondió^b. 6 Y se reunieron todos los habitantes de Siquem y todo Bet-milo¹, y fueron e hicieron rey a Abimelec, junto a la encina² del pilar que había en Siquem.

7 Cuando se lo informaron a Jotam, fue y se paró en la cumbre del monte Gerizim^a, y alzando su voz, clamó y les dijo: Escuchadme, habitantes de Siquem, para que os oiga Dios. 8 Una vez los árboles fueron a ungir un rey sobre ellos, y dijeron al olivo: «Reina sobre nosotros». 9 Mas el olivo les respondió: «¿He de dejar mi aceite¹ con el cual² se honra a Dios y a los hombres, para ir a ondear sobre los árboles?». 10 Entonces los árboles dijeron a la higuera: «Ven, reina sobre nosotros». 11 Pero la higuera les respondió: «¿He de dejar mi dulzura y mi buen fruto, para ir a ondear sobre los árboles?». 12 Después los árboles dijeron a la vid: «Ven tú, reina sobre nosotros». 13 Pero la vid les respondió: «¿He de dejar mi mosto, que alegra a Dios y a los hombres, para ir a ondear sobre los árboles?». 14 Dijeron entonces todos los árboles a la zarza: «Ven tú, reina sobre nosotros». 15 Y la zarza dijo a los árboles: «Si en verdad¹ me ungís por rey sobre vosotros, venid y refugiaos a mi sombra; y si no, salga fuego de la zarza y consuma los cedros del Líbano».

16 Ahora pues, si habéis procedido con verdad¹ e integridad al hacer rey a Abimelec, y si habéis procedido bien con Jerobaal^a y su casa, y si habéis procedido con él como él merecía² 17 (pues mi padre peleó por vosotros, y arriesgó su vida¹ y os libró de la mano de Madián, 18 pero vosotros os habéis rebelado hoy contra la casa de mi padre y habéis matado a sus hijos, setenta hombres^a, sobre una piedra, y habéis hecho rey sobre los habitantes de Siquem a Abimelec, el hijo de su sierva^b, porque es vuestro pariente); 19 si habéis, pues, procedido hoy en verdad¹ e integridad para con Jerobaal y su casa, regocijaos en Abimelec, y que él también se regocije en vosotros. 20 Y si no, salga fuego de Abimelec y consuma a los habitantes de Siquem y de Bet-milo¹; y salga fuego de los habitantes de Siquem y de Bet-milo² y consuma a Abimelec. 21 Entonces Jotam escapó y huyó, y se fue a Beer y permaneció allí a causa de su hermano Abimelec.

22 Y reinó Abimelec tres años sobre Israel. 23 Pero Dios envió un espíritu de discordia^a entre Abimelec y los habitantes de Siquem; y los habitantes de Siquem procedieron pérfidamente con Abimelec^b, 24 para que viniera la violencia hecha a los¹ setenta hijos de Jerobaal^a, y recayera la sangre de ellos sobre su hermano Abimelec que los mató, y sobre los habitantes de Siquem que fortalecieron las manos de él para matar a sus hermanos^b. 25 Y los habitantes de Siquem pusieron emboscadas¹ contra él en las cumbres de los montes y robaban a todos los que pasaban cerca de ellos por el camino; y se lo hicieron saber a Abimelec.

26 Y Gaal, hijo de Ebed, vino con sus parientes, y pasaron a Siquem; y los habitantes de Siquem pusieron su confianza en él. 27 Y salieron al campo y vendimiaron sus viñedos, pisaron las uvas e hicieron fiesta; y entrando a la casa de su dios^a, comieron y bebieron y maldijeron a Abimelec. 28 Entonces Gaal, hijo de Ebed, dijo: ¿Quién es Abimelec y quién es Siquem para que le sirvamos? ¿No es acaso hijo de Jerobaal, y no es Zebul su oficial¹? Servid a los hombres de Hamor, padre de Siquem^a; pero ¿por qué hemos de servirle a él? 29 ¡Quién pusiera este pueblo en mis manos^a! Entonces yo quitaría a Abimelec. Diría a Abimelec: Aumenta tu ejército, y sal.

30 Y cuando Zebul, gobernante de la ciudad, oyó las palabras de Gaal, hijo de Ebed, se encendió en ira. 31 Y envió encubiertamente mensajeros a Abimelec, diciendo: He aquí que Gaal, hijo de Ebed, y sus parientes han venido a Siquem, y he aquí que están incitando¹ a la ciudad contra ti. 32 Ahora pues, levántate de noche, tú y el pueblo que está contigo, y pon emboscada en el campo. 33 Y sucederá en la mañana, en cuanto salga el sol, que te levantarás temprano y arremeterás contra la ciudad; y he aquí, que cuando él y el pueblo que está con él salga contra ti, harás con ellos lo que te venga a mano^a.

34 Se levantó, pues, de noche Abimelec, y todo el pueblo que estaba con él, y pusieron emboscada contra Siquem con cuatro compañías¹. 35 Y Gaal, hijo de Ebed, salió y se paró a la entrada de la puerta de la ciudad; y Abimelec y el pueblo que estaba con él salieron de la emboscada. 36 Al ver Gaal a la gente, dijo a Zebul: Mira, viene gente bajando de las cumbres de los montes. Pero Zebul le dijo: Estás viendo la sombra de los montes como si fueran hombres. 37 Y volvió a hablar Gaal y dijo: He aquí, gente que baja de la parte más alta¹ de la tierra^a, y una compañía viene por el camino de la encina² de los adivinos³. 38 Entonces Zebul le dijo: ¿Dónde está ahora tu jactancia¹ con la cual decías: «¿Quién es Abimelec para que le sirvamos?»? ¿No eseste el pueblo que despreciabas? Ahora pues, sal y pelea contra él. 39 Y salió Gaal delante de los habitantes de Siquem y peleó contra Abimelec. 40 Abimelec lo persiguió pero Gaal¹ huyó delante de él; y muchos cayeron heridos hasta la entrada de la puerta. 41 Y Abimelec se quedó en Aruma, pero Zebul expulsó a Gaal y a sus parientes para que no se quedaran en Siquem.

42 Aconteció al día siguiente que el pueblo salió al campo, y se lo hicieron saber a Abimelec. 43 Y él tomó a su¹ gente, la dividió en tres compañías y puso emboscada en el campo; cuando miró y vio al pueblo salir² de la ciudad, se levantó contra ellos y los mató³. 44 Entonces Abimelec y la compañía¹ que estaba con él se lanzaron con ímpetu y se situaron a la entrada de la puerta de la ciudad, y las otras dos compañías se lanzaron contra todos los que estaban en el campo y los mataron². 45 Y peleó Abimelec contra la ciudad todo aquel día, capturó la ciudad y mató a la gente que había en ella; entonces arrasó la ciudad y la sembró de sal^a.

46 Al oír esto todos los habitantes de la torre de Siquem, se metieron en la fortaleza¹ del templo² de El-berit^3a. 47 Y le dijeron a Abimelec que todos los habitantes de la torre de Siquem estaban reunidos. 48 Abimelec subió entonces al monte Salmón^a, él y toda la gente que estaba con él; y tomando Abimelec un hacha¹ en su mano, cortó una rama de los árboles, la levantó y la puso sobre su hombro. Y dijo a la gente que estaba con él: Lo que me habéis visto hacer, apresuraos y haced lo mismo². 49 Y todo el pueblo cortó también cada uno su rama y siguió a Abimelec, y las pusieron sobre la fortaleza¹; prendieron fuego a la fortaleza² sobre los que estaban adentro, y murieron también todos los³ de la torre de Siquem, como mil hombres y mujeres.

50 Después Abimelec fue a Tebes, la sitió¹ y la tomó. 51 Pero había una torre fortificada en el centro de la ciudad, y todos los hombres y mujeres, todos los habitantes de la ciudad, huyeron allí, se encerraron y subieron al techo de la torre. 52 Y Abimelec vino a la torre, la atacó y se acercó a la entrada de la torre para prenderle fuego. 53 Pero una mujer arrojó una muela de molino sobre la cabeza de Abimelec^a rompiéndole el cráneo. 54 Entonces él llamó apresuradamente al muchacho que era su escudero, y le dijo: Saca tu espada y mátame^a, no sea que se diga de mí: «Una mujer lo mató». Y el¹ muchacho lo traspasó, y murió. 55 Cuando los hombres de Israel vieron que Abimelec había muerto, cada cual partió para su casa¹. 56 Así pagó Dios a Abimelec por la maldad que había hecho a su padre al matar a sus setenta hermanos^a. 57 Dios también hizo volver sobre sus cabezas toda la maldad de los hombres de Siquem, y vino sobre¹ ellos la maldición de Jotam, hijo de Jerobaal.

And ^aAbimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s ¹relatives, and spoke to them and to the whole clan of the household of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Speak, now, in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that ^aseventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am ^byour bone and your flesh.” 3 And his mother’s ¹relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem; and ²they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is ^aour ³relative.” 4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of ^aBaal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and ^akilled his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, ^bseventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. 6 All the men of Shechem and all ¹Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the ²oak of the pillar which was in Shechem.

7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of ^aMount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and called out. Thus he said to them, “Listen to me, O men of Shechem, that God may listen to you. 8 Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my fatness with ¹which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come, reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good ¹fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ 12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come, reign over us!’ 13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, and go to wave over the trees?’ 14 Finally all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come, reign over us!’ 15 The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in ¹truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

16 “Now therefore, if you have dealt in ¹truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with ^aJerubbaal and his house, and ²have dealt with him ³as he deserved— 17 for my father fought for you and ¹risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian; 18 but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed ^ahis sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, ^bthe son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your ¹relative— 19 if then you have dealt in ¹truth and integrity with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and ¹Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from ²Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and remained there because of Abimelech his brother.

22 Now Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 ^aThen God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem ^bdealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 ^aso that the violence ¹done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and ^btheir blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. 25 The men of Shechem set ¹men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who might pass by them along the road; and it was told to Abimelech.

26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his ¹relatives, and crossed over into Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. 27 They went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trod them, and held a ¹festival; and they went into the house of ^atheir god, and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. 28 Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is Zebul not his ¹lieutenant? Serve the men of ^aHamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29 ^1aWould, therefore, that this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech.” And he said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out.”

30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech ¹deceitfully, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his ²relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are ³stirring up the city against you. 32 Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. 33 In the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall ^ado to them ¹whatever you can.”

34 So Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four ¹companies. 35 Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate; and Abimelech and the people who were with him arose from the ambush. 36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “¹Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” 37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from ^athe ¹highest part of the land, and one ²company comes by the way of ³the diviners’ ⁴oak.” 38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your ¹boasting now with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!” 39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40 Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate. 41 Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his ¹relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

42 Now it came about the next day, that the people went out to the field, and it was told to Abimelech. 43 So he took ¹his people and divided them into three ²companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and ³saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and ⁴slew them. 44 Then Abimelech and the ¹company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two ²companies then dashed against all who were in the field and ³slew them. 45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it; then he ^arazed the city and sowed it with salt.

46 When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the inner chamber of the ¹temple of ^aEl-berith. 47 It was told Abimelech that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 So Abimelech went up to Mount ^aZalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took ¹an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do ²likewise.” 49 All the people also cut down each one his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But ^aa certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 54 Then ^ahe called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So ¹the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his ¹home. 56 Thus ^aGod repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 Also God returned all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came ¹upon them.

Now ^aAbimelech the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives, and said to them and to the whole clan of the household of his mother’s father, 2 “Speak now in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that ^aseventy men, all of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one man rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am ^byour own bone and flesh.” 3 So his mother’s relatives spoke all these words concerning him so that all the leaders of Shechem could hear; and their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is ^aour relative.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of ^aBaal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and undisciplined men, and they followed (supported) him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and ^amurdered his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, ^bseventy men, in a public execution on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left alive, because he had hidden himself. 6 All the men of Shechem and all of ¹Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak (terebinth) of the pillar (memorial stone) at Shechem.

7 When they told Jotham, he went and stood at the top of ^aMount Gerizim and shouted to them, “Hear me, O men of Shechem, so that God may hear you. 8 ¹Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I give up my fatness by which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ 12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 13 And the vine replied, ‘Should I give up my new wine, which makes God and men happy, and go to wave over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 15 So the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

16 “Now then, if you acted in truth and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with ^aJerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved— 17 for my father fought for you and risked his life and rescued you from the hand of Midian; 18 but you have risen against my father’s house today and have murdered ^ahis sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, ^bson of his maidservant, king over the people of Shechem, because he is your relative— 19 if then you have acted in truth and integrity with Jerubbaal and his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the people of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the people of Shechem and Beth-millo, and devour Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and lived there because of Abimelech his brother.

22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 ^aThen God sent an ¹evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem ^bacted treacherously against Abimelech, 24 ^aso that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon) might come on the guilty, and that ^btheir innocent blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who had killed them, and on the leaders of Shechem, who strengthened his hands (encouraged him) to kill his brothers. 25 The leaders of Shechem set men in ambush against Abimelech on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along the road; and it was reported to Abimelech.

26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his relatives, and moved into Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem trusted him. 27 They went out into the field, gathered the grapes of their vineyard and trod them, and held a festival; and they entered the house of ^atheir god, and they ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech. 28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not merely the son of Jerubbaal and is Zebul not his lieutenant? Serve the men of ^aHamor the father (founder) of Shechem. Why then should we serve Abimelech? 29 ^aIf only this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech and say to him, ‘Increase the size of your army and come out to fight.’”

30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem; and they are stirring up the city against you. 32 Now then, get up during the night, you and the people who are with you, and set up an ambush in the field. 33 Then in the morning, at sunrise, you will get up early and rush upon and attack the city; and when Gaal and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall ^ado to them ¹whatever you can.”

34 So Abimelech and all the people who were with him got up during the night, and set up an ambush against Shechem, in four companies. 35 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came out and stood in the entrance of the city gate; then Abimelech and the people who were with him got up from the ambush. 36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops.” But Zebul said to him, “You are only seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” 37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Look! People are coming down from ^athe highest part of the land, and one company is coming by way of the sorcerers’ oak tree.” 38 Then Zebul said to Gaal, “Where is your boasting mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!” 39 So Gaal went out ahead of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40 Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded as far as the entrance of the gate. 41 Then Abimelech stayed at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

42 The next day the people went out to the field, and it was reported to Abimelech. 43 So he took his people and divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the field; and he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. And he rose up against them and struck them down. 44 Then Abimelech and the company with him advanced forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the two other companies attacked all who were in the field and killed them. 45 Abimelech fought against the city that entire day. He took the city and killed the people who were in it; he ^ademolished the city and ¹sowed it with salt.

46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard about it, they entered the inner chamber (stronghold) of the ¹temple of ^aEl-berith (the god of a covenant) . 47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were assembled together. 48 So Abimelech went up to Mount ^aZalmon, he and all the people with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, picked it up, and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the people with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do just as I have done.” 49 So everyone of the people also cut down his branch and followed Abimelech, and they put the branches on top of the inner chamber and set it on fire over those inside, so that all the people in the Tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and camped against Thebez and took it. 51 But there was a strong (fortified) tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it down with fire. 53 But ^aa certain woman threw an upper millstone down on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then ^ahe called quickly to the young man who was his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his home. 56 In this way ^aGod repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father Jerubbaal by killing his seventy brothers. 57 Also God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) came upon them. Judg 9:19, 20