Judges 9:1–6 — Avimelek snatches the kingship

OET-RV by section HERO 9:1

This OET Readers’ Version was designed to be used with the Literal Version alongside, so you won’t get the best understanding from this single viewpoint. This is still an early look into the drafted text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

9:1 Avimelek snatches the kingship

9 Now Gid’on’s son Avimelek went to Shekem to his mother’s brothers and spoke to those uncles and to all the extended family of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Please ask around all the citizens of Shekem: ‘What is better for you: Gid’on’s seventy sons ruling over you, or having a single man in charge?’ Remember that I’m your flesh and bone.” 3 So his uncles working on his behalf, passed that onto all the citizens of Shekem, and they became convinced in Avimelek, because they said, “He’s our brother.” 4 Then they gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Ba’al -Berit, and Avimelek used them to entice some rough lay-abouts to work for him. 5 Then they went to his father’s house at Ofrah, and he killed his seventy half-brothers (Gid’on’s sons) there on one stone. But Gid’on’s youngest son Yotam (Jotham) survived because he had hidden from them. 6 Then all of the prominent citizens of Shekem and all of Beyt -Milo assembled themselves, and they went and installed Avimelek as king beside an oak tree near the standing pillar[fn] that was in Shekem.