全新四年樂活讀經
W3 2012-02-22 (士9)
經文: 士師記 9:56-57 這樣，神報應亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡，就是殺了弟兄七十個人的惡。示劍人的一切惡，神也都報應在他們頭上；耶路巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛歸到他們身上了。
默想: 我們看到士師時代政治處境的險惡。我想這樣的政治顯惡到今天還是一樣。當我們內心的自私與罪惡沒有得到主耶穌基督的救贖與改變之前，我們每一個人也都是沉溺在同樣的自私與罪惡之中。感謝主耶穌的恩典，救贖我們脫離這樣的情境，讓我們有機會學習彼此相愛的生命功課。
題目: 亞比米勒起先贏得示劍人的支持，將他的弟兄七十人殺死，然終究被示劍人串謀反叛，玩火終自焚，他所料未及的是竟死在一婦人的手中，試想，我們的生命是否也曾算計著許許多多的事，但終究非我們所料？
9:1 耶路巴力的兒子亞比米勒到了示劍見他的眾母舅，對他們和他外祖全家的人說：
Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
9:2 「請你們問示劍的眾人說，是耶路巴力的眾子七十人都管理你們好呢？還是一人管理你們好呢？你們又要記念我是你們的骨肉。」
"Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem, `Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubba'al rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh."
9:3 他的眾母舅便將這一切話為他說給示劍人聽，示劍人的心就歸亞比米勒。他們說：「他原是我們的弟兄」；
And his mother's kinsmen spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the men of Shechem; and their hearts inclined to follow Abim'elech, for they said, "He is our brother."
9:4 就從巴力比利土的廟中取了七十舍客勒銀子給亞比米勒；亞比米勒用以雇了些匪徒跟隨他。
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Ba'al-be'rith with which Abim'elech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.
9:5 他往俄弗拉到他父親的家，將他弟兄、耶路巴力的眾子七十人都殺在一塊磐石上；只剩下耶路巴力的小兒子約坦，因為他躲藏了。
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubba'al, seventy men, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubba'al was left, for he hid himself.
9:6 示劍人和米羅人都一同聚集，往示劍橡樹旁的柱子那裡，立亞比米勒為王。
And all the citizens of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abim'elech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.
9:7 有人將這事告訴約坦，他就去站在基利心山頂上，向眾人大聲喊叫說：「示劍人哪，你們要聽我的話， 神也就聽你們的話。
When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Ger'izim, and cried aloud and said to them, "Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
9:8 有一時樹木要膏一樹為王，管理他們，就去對橄欖樹說：『請你作我們的王。』
The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, `Reign over us.'
9:9 橄欖樹回答說：『我豈肯止住供奉神和尊重人的油，飄颻在眾樹之上呢？』
But the olive tree said to them, `Shall I leave my fatness, by which gods and men are honored, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:10 樹木對無花果樹說：『請你來作我們的王。』
And the trees said to the fig tree, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:11 無花果樹回答說：『我豈肯止住所結甜美的果子，飄颻在眾樹之上呢？』
But the fig tree said to them, `Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:12 樹木對葡萄樹說：『請你來作我們的王。』
And the trees said to the vine, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:13 葡萄樹回答說：『我豈肯止住使神和人喜樂的新酒，飄颻在眾樹之上呢。』
But the vine said to them, `Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:14 眾樹對荊棘說：『請你來作我們的王。』
Then all the trees said to the bramble, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:15 荊棘回答說：『你們若誠誠實實地膏我為王，就要投在我的蔭下；不然，願火從荊棘裡出來，燒滅黎巴嫩的香柏樹。』
And the bramble said to the trees, `If in good faith 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.'
9:16 「現在你們立亞比米勒為王，若按誠實正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家，這就是酬他的勞。
"Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and have done to him as his deeds deserved --
9:17 從前我父冒死為你們爭戰，救了你們脫離米甸人的手。
for my father fought for you, and risked his life, and rescued you from the hand of Mid'ian;
9:18 你們如今起來攻擊我的父家，將他眾子七十人殺在一塊磐石上，又立他婢女所生的兒子亞比米勒為示劍人的王；他原是你們的弟兄。
and you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abim'elech, the son of his maidservant, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman --
9:19 你們如今若按誠實正直待耶路巴力和他的家，就可因亞比米勒得歡樂，他也可因你們得歡樂；
if you then have acted in good faith and honor with Jerubba'al and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abim'elech, and let him also rejoice in you;
9:20 不然，願火從亞比米勒發出，燒滅示劍人和米羅眾人，又願火從示劍人和米羅人中出來，燒滅亞比米勒。」
but if not, let fire come out from Abim'elech, and devour the citizens of Shechem, and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem, and from Beth-millo, and devour Abim'elech."
9:21 約坦因怕他弟兄亞比米勒，就逃跑，來到比珥，住在那裡。
And Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abim'elech his brother.
9:22 亞比米勒管理以色列人三年。
Abim'elech ruled over Israel three years.
9:23 神使惡魔降在亞比米勒和示劍人中間，示劍人就以詭詐待亞比米勒。
And God sent an evil spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;
9:24 這是要叫耶路巴力七十個兒子所受的殘害歸與他們的哥哥亞比米勒，又叫那流他們血的罪歸與幫助他殺弟兄的示劍人。
that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubba'al might come and their blood be laid upon Abim'elech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers.
9:25 示劍人在山頂上設埋伏，等候亞比米勒。凡從他們那裡經過的人，他們就搶奪。有人將這事告訴亞比米勒。
And the men of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountain tops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told Abim'elech.
9:26 以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄來到示劍，示劍人都信靠他。
And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsmen; and the men of Shechem put confidence in him.
9:27 示劍人出城到田間去，摘下葡萄，踹酒，設擺筵宴，進他們神的廟中吃喝，咒詛亞比米勒。
And they went out into the field, and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and reviled Abim'elech.
9:28 以別的兒子迦勒說：「亞比米勒是誰？示劍是誰？使我們服事他呢？他不是耶路巴力的兒子嗎？他的幫手不是西布勒嗎？你們可以服事示劍的父親哈抹的後裔。我們為何服事亞比米勒呢？
And Ga'al the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abim'elech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Did not the son of Jerubba'al and Zebul his officer serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
9:29 惟願這民歸我的手下，我就除掉亞比米勒。」迦勒又對亞比米勒說：「增添你的軍兵出來吧。」
Would that this people were under my hand! then I would remove Abim'elech. I would say to Abim'elech, `Increase your army, and come out.'"
9:30 邑宰西布勒聽見以別的兒子迦勒的話，就發怒，
When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Ga'al the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
9:31 悄悄地打發人去見亞比米勒，說：「以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄到了示劍，煽惑城中的民攻擊你。
And he sent messengers to Abim'elech at Aru'mah, saying, "Behold, Ga'al the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
9:32 現在你和跟隨你的人今夜起來，在田間埋伏。
Now therefore, go by night, you and the men that are with you, and lie in wait in the fields.
9:33 到早晨太陽一出，你就起來闖城。迦勒和跟隨他的人出來攻擊你的時候，你便向他們見機而做。」
Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city; and when he and the men that are with him come out against you, you may do to them as occasion offers."
9:34 於是，亞比米勒和跟隨他的眾人夜間起來，分作四隊，埋伏等候示劍人。
And Abim'elech and all the men that were with him rose up by night, and laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
9:35 以別的兒子迦勒出去，站在城門口。亞比米勒和跟隨他的人從埋伏之處起來。
And Ga'al the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abim'elech and the men that were with him rose from the ambush.
9:36 迦勒看見那些人，就對西布勒說：「看哪，有人從山頂上下來了。」西布勒說：「你看見山的影子，以為是人。」
And when Ga'al saw the men, he said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming down from the mountain tops!" And Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men."
9:37 迦勒又說：「看哪，有人從高處下來，又有一隊從米惡尼尼橡樹的路上而來。」
Ga'al spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak."
9:38 西布勒對他說：「你曾說，亞比米勒是誰，叫我們服事他？你所誇的口在哪裡呢？這不是你所藐視的民嗎？你現在出去，與他們交戰吧！」
Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now, you who said, `Who is Abim'elech, that we should serve him?' Are not these the men whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them."
9:39 於是迦勒率領示劍人出去，與亞比米勒交戰。
And Ga'al went out at the head of the men of Shechem, and fought with Abim'elech.
9:40 亞比米勒追趕迦勒；迦勒在他面前逃跑，有許多受傷仆倒的，直到城門。
And Abim'elech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.
9:41 亞比米勒住在亞魯瑪。西布勒趕出迦勒和他弟兄，不准他們住在示劍。
And Abim'elech dwelt at Aru'mah; and Zebul drove out Ga'al and his kinsmen, so that they could not live on at Shechem.
9:42 次日，民出到田間，有人告訴亞比米勒；
On the following day the men went out into the fields. And Abim'elech was told.
9:43 他就把他的人分作三隊，埋伏在田間，看見示劍人從城裡出來，就起來擊殺他們。
He took his men and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the fields; and he looked and saw the men coming out of the city, and he rose against them and slew them.
9:44 亞比米勒和跟隨他的一隊向前闖去，站在城門口；那兩隊直闖到田間，擊殺了眾人。
Abim'elech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and slew them.
9:45 亞比米勒整天攻打城，將城奪取，殺了其中的居民，將城拆毀，撒上了鹽。
And Abim'elech fought against the city all that day; he took the city, and killed the people that were in it; and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.
9:46 示劍樓的人聽見了，就躲入巴力比利土廟的衛所。
When all the people of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-be'rith.
9:47 有人告訴亞比米勒說：「示劍樓的人都聚在一處。」
Abim'elech was told that all the people of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together.
9:48 亞比米勒和跟隨他的人就都上撒們山。亞比米勒手拿斧子，砍下一根樹枝，扛在肩上，對跟隨他的人說：「你們看我所行的，也當趕緊照樣行。」
And Abim'elech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men that were with him; and Abim'elech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bundle of brushwood, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men that were with him, "What you have seen me do, make haste to do, as I have done."
9:49 眾人就各砍一枝，跟隨亞比米勒，把樹枝堆在衛所的四圍，放火燒了衛所，以致示劍樓的人都死了，男女約有一千。
So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abim'elech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
9:50 亞比米勒到提備斯，向提備斯安營，就攻取了那城。
Then Abim'elech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
9:51 城中有一座堅固的樓；城裡的眾人，無論男女，都逃進樓去，關上門，上了樓頂。
But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the people of the city fled to it, all the men and women, and shut themselves in; and they went to the roof of the tower.
9:52 亞比米勒到了樓前攻打，挨近樓門，要用火焚燒。
And Abim'elech came to the tower, and fought against it, and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
9:53 有一個婦人把一塊上磨石拋在亞比米勒的頭上，打破了他的腦骨。
And a certain woman threw an upper millstone upon Abim'elech's head, and crushed his skull.
9:54 他就急忙喊叫拿他兵器的少年人，對他說：「拔出你的刀來，殺了我吧！免得人議論我說，他為一個婦人所殺。」於是少年人把他刺透，他就死了。
Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, `A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
9:55 以色列人見亞比米勒死了，便各回自己的地方去了。
And when the men of Israel saw that Abim'elech was dead, they departed every man to his home.
9:56 這樣， 神報應亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡，就是殺了弟兄七十個人的惡。
Thus God requited the crime of Abim'elech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers;
9:57 示劍人的一切惡， 神也都報應在他們頭上；耶路巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛歸到他們身上了。
and God also made all the wickedness of the men of Shechem fall back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubba'al.
Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
9:2 「請你們問示劍的眾人說，是耶路巴力的眾子七十人都管理你們好呢？還是一人管理你們好呢？你們又要記念我是你們的骨肉。」
"Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem, `Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubba'al rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh."
9:3 他的眾母舅便將這一切話為他說給示劍人聽，示劍人的心就歸亞比米勒。他們說：「他原是我們的弟兄」；
And his mother's kinsmen spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the men of Shechem; and their hearts inclined to follow Abim'elech, for they said, "He is our brother."
9:4 就從巴力比利土的廟中取了七十舍客勒銀子給亞比米勒；亞比米勒用以雇了些匪徒跟隨他。
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Ba'al-be'rith with which Abim'elech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.
9:5 他往俄弗拉到他父親的家，將他弟兄、耶路巴力的眾子七十人都殺在一塊磐石上；只剩下耶路巴力的小兒子約坦，因為他躲藏了。
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubba'al, seventy men, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubba'al was left, for he hid himself.
9:6 示劍人和米羅人都一同聚集，往示劍橡樹旁的柱子那裡，立亞比米勒為王。
And all the citizens of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abim'elech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.
9:7 有人將這事告訴約坦，他就去站在基利心山頂上，向眾人大聲喊叫說：「示劍人哪，你們要聽我的話， 神也就聽你們的話。
When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Ger'izim, and cried aloud and said to them, "Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
9:8 有一時樹木要膏一樹為王，管理他們，就去對橄欖樹說：『請你作我們的王。』
The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, `Reign over us.'
9:9 橄欖樹回答說：『我豈肯止住供奉神和尊重人的油，飄颻在眾樹之上呢？』
But the olive tree said to them, `Shall I leave my fatness, by which gods and men are honored, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:10 樹木對無花果樹說：『請你來作我們的王。』
And the trees said to the fig tree, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:11 無花果樹回答說：『我豈肯止住所結甜美的果子，飄颻在眾樹之上呢？』
But the fig tree said to them, `Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:12 樹木對葡萄樹說：『請你來作我們的王。』
And the trees said to the vine, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:13 葡萄樹回答說：『我豈肯止住使神和人喜樂的新酒，飄颻在眾樹之上呢。』
But the vine said to them, `Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?'
9:14 眾樹對荊棘說：『請你來作我們的王。』
Then all the trees said to the bramble, `Come you, and reign over us.'
9:15 荊棘回答說：『你們若誠誠實實地膏我為王，就要投在我的蔭下；不然，願火從荊棘裡出來，燒滅黎巴嫩的香柏樹。』
And the bramble said to the trees, `If in good faith 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.'
9:16 「現在你們立亞比米勒為王，若按誠實正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家，這就是酬他的勞。
"Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and have done to him as his deeds deserved --
9:17 從前我父冒死為你們爭戰，救了你們脫離米甸人的手。
for my father fought for you, and risked his life, and rescued you from the hand of Mid'ian;
9:18 你們如今起來攻擊我的父家，將他眾子七十人殺在一塊磐石上，又立他婢女所生的兒子亞比米勒為示劍人的王；他原是你們的弟兄。
and you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abim'elech, the son of his maidservant, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman --
9:19 你們如今若按誠實正直待耶路巴力和他的家，就可因亞比米勒得歡樂，他也可因你們得歡樂；
if you then have acted in good faith and honor with Jerubba'al and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abim'elech, and let him also rejoice in you;
9:20 不然，願火從亞比米勒發出，燒滅示劍人和米羅眾人，又願火從示劍人和米羅人中出來，燒滅亞比米勒。」
but if not, let fire come out from Abim'elech, and devour the citizens of Shechem, and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem, and from Beth-millo, and devour Abim'elech."
9:21 約坦因怕他弟兄亞比米勒，就逃跑，來到比珥，住在那裡。
And Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abim'elech his brother.
9:22 亞比米勒管理以色列人三年。
Abim'elech ruled over Israel three years.
9:23 神使惡魔降在亞比米勒和示劍人中間，示劍人就以詭詐待亞比米勒。
And God sent an evil spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;
9:24 這是要叫耶路巴力七十個兒子所受的殘害歸與他們的哥哥亞比米勒，又叫那流他們血的罪歸與幫助他殺弟兄的示劍人。
that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubba'al might come and their blood be laid upon Abim'elech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers.
9:25 示劍人在山頂上設埋伏，等候亞比米勒。凡從他們那裡經過的人，他們就搶奪。有人將這事告訴亞比米勒。
And the men of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountain tops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told Abim'elech.
9:26 以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄來到示劍，示劍人都信靠他。
And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsmen; and the men of Shechem put confidence in him.
9:27 示劍人出城到田間去，摘下葡萄，踹酒，設擺筵宴，進他們神的廟中吃喝，咒詛亞比米勒。
And they went out into the field, and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and reviled Abim'elech.
9:28 以別的兒子迦勒說：「亞比米勒是誰？示劍是誰？使我們服事他呢？他不是耶路巴力的兒子嗎？他的幫手不是西布勒嗎？你們可以服事示劍的父親哈抹的後裔。我們為何服事亞比米勒呢？
And Ga'al the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abim'elech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Did not the son of Jerubba'al and Zebul his officer serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
9:29 惟願這民歸我的手下，我就除掉亞比米勒。」迦勒又對亞比米勒說：「增添你的軍兵出來吧。」
Would that this people were under my hand! then I would remove Abim'elech. I would say to Abim'elech, `Increase your army, and come out.'"
9:30 邑宰西布勒聽見以別的兒子迦勒的話，就發怒，
When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Ga'al the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
9:31 悄悄地打發人去見亞比米勒，說：「以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄到了示劍，煽惑城中的民攻擊你。
And he sent messengers to Abim'elech at Aru'mah, saying, "Behold, Ga'al the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
9:32 現在你和跟隨你的人今夜起來，在田間埋伏。
Now therefore, go by night, you and the men that are with you, and lie in wait in the fields.
9:33 到早晨太陽一出，你就起來闖城。迦勒和跟隨他的人出來攻擊你的時候，你便向他們見機而做。」
Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city; and when he and the men that are with him come out against you, you may do to them as occasion offers."
9:34 於是，亞比米勒和跟隨他的眾人夜間起來，分作四隊，埋伏等候示劍人。
And Abim'elech and all the men that were with him rose up by night, and laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
9:35 以別的兒子迦勒出去，站在城門口。亞比米勒和跟隨他的人從埋伏之處起來。
And Ga'al the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abim'elech and the men that were with him rose from the ambush.
9:36 迦勒看見那些人，就對西布勒說：「看哪，有人從山頂上下來了。」西布勒說：「你看見山的影子，以為是人。」
And when Ga'al saw the men, he said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming down from the mountain tops!" And Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men."
9:37 迦勒又說：「看哪，有人從高處下來，又有一隊從米惡尼尼橡樹的路上而來。」
Ga'al spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak."
9:38 西布勒對他說：「你曾說，亞比米勒是誰，叫我們服事他？你所誇的口在哪裡呢？這不是你所藐視的民嗎？你現在出去，與他們交戰吧！」
Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now, you who said, `Who is Abim'elech, that we should serve him?' Are not these the men whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them."
9:39 於是迦勒率領示劍人出去，與亞比米勒交戰。
And Ga'al went out at the head of the men of Shechem, and fought with Abim'elech.
9:40 亞比米勒追趕迦勒；迦勒在他面前逃跑，有許多受傷仆倒的，直到城門。
And Abim'elech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.
9:41 亞比米勒住在亞魯瑪。西布勒趕出迦勒和他弟兄，不准他們住在示劍。
And Abim'elech dwelt at Aru'mah; and Zebul drove out Ga'al and his kinsmen, so that they could not live on at Shechem.
9:42 次日，民出到田間，有人告訴亞比米勒；
On the following day the men went out into the fields. And Abim'elech was told.
9:43 他就把他的人分作三隊，埋伏在田間，看見示劍人從城裡出來，就起來擊殺他們。
He took his men and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the fields; and he looked and saw the men coming out of the city, and he rose against them and slew them.
9:44 亞比米勒和跟隨他的一隊向前闖去，站在城門口；那兩隊直闖到田間，擊殺了眾人。
Abim'elech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and slew them.
9:45 亞比米勒整天攻打城，將城奪取，殺了其中的居民，將城拆毀，撒上了鹽。
And Abim'elech fought against the city all that day; he took the city, and killed the people that were in it; and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.
9:46 示劍樓的人聽見了，就躲入巴力比利土廟的衛所。
When all the people of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-be'rith.
9:47 有人告訴亞比米勒說：「示劍樓的人都聚在一處。」
Abim'elech was told that all the people of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together.
9:48 亞比米勒和跟隨他的人就都上撒們山。亞比米勒手拿斧子，砍下一根樹枝，扛在肩上，對跟隨他的人說：「你們看我所行的，也當趕緊照樣行。」
And Abim'elech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men that were with him; and Abim'elech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bundle of brushwood, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men that were with him, "What you have seen me do, make haste to do, as I have done."
9:49 眾人就各砍一枝，跟隨亞比米勒，把樹枝堆在衛所的四圍，放火燒了衛所，以致示劍樓的人都死了，男女約有一千。
So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abim'elech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
9:50 亞比米勒到提備斯，向提備斯安營，就攻取了那城。
Then Abim'elech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
9:51 城中有一座堅固的樓；城裡的眾人，無論男女，都逃進樓去，關上門，上了樓頂。
But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the people of the city fled to it, all the men and women, and shut themselves in; and they went to the roof of the tower.
9:52 亞比米勒到了樓前攻打，挨近樓門，要用火焚燒。
And Abim'elech came to the tower, and fought against it, and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
9:53 有一個婦人把一塊上磨石拋在亞比米勒的頭上，打破了他的腦骨。
And a certain woman threw an upper millstone upon Abim'elech's head, and crushed his skull.
9:54 他就急忙喊叫拿他兵器的少年人，對他說：「拔出你的刀來，殺了我吧！免得人議論我說，他為一個婦人所殺。」於是少年人把他刺透，他就死了。
Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, `A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
9:55 以色列人見亞比米勒死了，便各回自己的地方去了。
And when the men of Israel saw that Abim'elech was dead, they departed every man to his home.
9:56 這樣， 神報應亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡，就是殺了弟兄七十個人的惡。
Thus God requited the crime of Abim'elech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers;
9:57 示劍人的一切惡， 神也都報應在他們頭上；耶路巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛歸到他們身上了。
and God also made all the wickedness of the men of Shechem fall back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubba'al.
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亞比米勒長大之後，謀取王位。亞比米勒做了以色列王三年（士師記9：6、22），他把同父異母的兄弟七十人殺了，以流血暴力方法取得統治權，行為十分冷血殘忍，而約坦卻虎口餘生，逃匿起來。
回覆刪除士師記 9:23 神使惡魔(evil רַע, רַע [ra` /rah/] ' spirit רוּחַ [ruwach /roo•akh/]“Spirit or spirit” ) 降在亞比米勒和示劍人中間，示劍人就以詭詐(בָּגַד [bagad /baw•gad/]“treacherously”) 待亞比米勒。
這個惡魔，原文רַע, רוּחַ是指人們為了權力，不惜一切去奪取，不顧骨肉之親，毫無人性，故意作出違抗上帝的審判的行為。 -這種行為包括妒忌、猜疑、秘密不滿,並被扼殺，造成叛亂。-- G. F. Moore (Judges [ICC], 253) here refers to a "mischief-making spirit."
在士師記9：7~21 )約坦用寓言,來諷刺亞比米勒作王，就像荊棘作眾樹之王一樣不合適。示劍人擁護他作王，也不會有甚麼好結果（士師記9：19～20）。有人說過，沒有權力慾的人才配擁有權力。可惜有才華而又配擁有權力的人，卻不願擔當重任，以致許多政客鼓其如簧之舌而掌權起來，亞比米勒當選為王，就是一幕政治醜聞和悲劇。---士師記 (每日研經叢書)
政治上的顯惡和職場上你爭我奪，到今天權術還是一樣。求主改變我們，幫助我們不再沉溺自私與罪惡之中，不再受惡魔（evil spirit）所困。靠著主耶穌的恩典，救贖我們脫離黑暗的權勢的困境，讓我們有機會學習彼此相愛，活在光明中，作上帝兒女，彼此相交，有生命，有見證。