1
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaalwent to Shechem unto his mother'sbrethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother'sfather,saying,
2
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and tenpersons,reign over you, or that onereign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3
And his mother'sbrethrenspake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their heartsinclined to followAbimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelechhiredvain and lightpersons, which followedhim.
5
And he went unto his father'shouse at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and tenpersons, upon onestone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngestson of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo*, and went, and madeAbimelechking, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mountGerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.