1 Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem. He talked to his mom’s family. ➡️️ 2 Abimelech said, Tell the men, “Do you want 70 brothers to rule, or just me? I am your family.” ️ 3 His mom’s family told the leaders. The men of the city said, “He is our brother.” They liked him. 4 They gave Abimelech silver from the house of their false god. He paid bad men to go with him. ️♂️♂️ 5 Abimelech went to his dad’s house. He killed his 70 brothers on one stone. But the youngest, Jotham, ran away. ️♂️ 6 The men of Shechem came. They made Abimelech king by a big tree in the town. ️ 7 Jotham heard it. He went up a hill and yelled, “Men of Shechem, listen to me. God will listen to you.” ♂️⛰️ 8 Jotham told a story: “The trees wanted a king.” 9 “The trees said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ The olive tree said, ‘No.’” ❌ 10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Be our king.’” ❓ 11 “The fig tree said, ‘No.’” ❌ 12 “Then the trees said to the grape plant, ‘Be our king.’” ❓ 13 “The grape plant said, ‘No.’” ❌ 14 “Then all the trees said to a thorn bush, ‘Be our king.’” ❓ 15 “The thorn bush said, ‘If you really want me, come sit in my shade. If not, fire will come out and burn the big trees.’” 16 Jotham said, “Did you do right to make Abimelech king? Did you do good to Jerubbaal’s house? Think.” 17 “My dad fought for you. He put his life at risk. He saved you.” ️⚔️ 18 “But you rose up. You killed his sons, 70 men, on one stone. You made Abimelech king. He is the son of a slave woman.” ️ 19 “If you did right, be glad. If not, watch out.” ➡️ 20 “If not, fire will come from Abimelech and burn you. And fire will come from you and burn Abimelech.” ↔️ 21 Then Jotham ran away to a place called Beer. He hid from Abimelech. ♂️️ 22 Abimelech was the boss over Israel for three years. ⏳3️⃣ 23 God sent a bad spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. They did not trust each other. ↔️ 24 God did this so the wrong for the 70 sons would be paid back to Abimelech and the men. ⚖️ 25 The men of Shechem hid on the roads. They hurt people. Abimelech heard about it. ️️ 26 A man named Gaal came with his family. The men of Shechem liked him. 27 They went to the fields. They picked grapes. They ate and drank. They spoke bad of Abimelech. ️ 28 Gaal said, “Who is Abimelech? Why should we serve him? Serve me!” ️ 29 Gaal said, “Call him out. I will fight him.” ️ 30 Zebul, the city leader, heard Gaal’s words. He was mad. 31 Zebul sent word to Abimelech in secret: “Gaal is here. He is turning the city against you.” ✉️ 32 “Come at night with your men. Hide in the field.” 33 “In the morning, attack. When he comes out, do what you need to do.” ⚔️ 34 Abimelech came at night with his men. They hid in four groups. 35 Gaal went to the city gate. Abimelech and his men came out from hiding. 36 Gaal said, “I see men!” Zebul said, “It is just shadows.” ⛰️ 37 Gaal looked again and said, “Men are coming from the hill and from the big tree way.” ⛰️➡️ 38 Zebul said, “Where is your big talk now? Go out and fight Abimelech.” ️➡️⚔️ 39 Gaal went out and fought Abimelech. ⚔️ 40 Abimelech chased Gaal. Many of Gaal’s men fell and were hurt. ♂️➡️ 41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul drove Gaal and his family away. ️➡️ 42 The next day, people went out to the field. Abimelech heard. 43 Abimelech split his men in three groups. He hid. He rushed at the people in the field. ♂️ 44 Abimelech and his group ran to the city gate. The other groups ran at the people in the fields and struck them. ♂️⚔️ 45 Abimelech fought the city all day. He took the city, killed the people, and put salt on it. ☀️️⚔️ 46 The leaders in the tower of Shechem heard. They ran into the safe room of their false god’s house. ♂️♀️ 47 Abimelech heard they were all in the tower. 48 Abimelech went to a hill called Zalmon. He cut a tree branch with an axe. He put it on his shoulder and said, “Do this fast, like me.” 49 All the men did it. They piled branches by the safe room and set it on fire. Many men and women died, about 1,000. 50 Abimelech went to Thebez. He set up camp and took the city. ️️ 51 There was a strong tower there. All the people ran there, shut the door, and went to the roof. 52 Abimelech came to the tower. He fought. He came to the door to burn it with fire. 53 A woman dropped a big stone wheel on Abimelech’s head. His head broke. 54 Abimelech called his helper. He said, “Use your sword and kill me, so they will not say a woman killed me.” The helper stabbed him, and he died. ️ 55 When the men of Israel saw he was dead, they went home. 56 God paid Abimelech back for the bad he did to his dad by killing the 70 brothers. ⚖️ 57 God also paid back the men of Shechem for their bad. Jotham’s bad wish came true. ⚖️✅