Judges 9:29
27 And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
28 Then Gaal 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 not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
31 So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
- KJV
- And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
- WEB
- I wish that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech.” He said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out!”
- ASV
- And would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
- DARBY
- Oh! would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
- BLB
- And if only were given this people into my hand, Abimelech I would remove.” I would say to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out.”
- ÅB
- Hadde jeg bare dette folk i min hånd, så skulle jeg nok få Abimelek bort. Og han sa: Øk din hær, Abimelek, og dra ut!
- OTB
- Hvis bare dette folket var under min kommando! Da ville jeg kvitte meg med ham." Og han sa til Abimelek: "Forstørr hæren din og kom ut!"
- B1930
- Hadde jeg bare dette folk i min hånd, så skulde jeg nok få Abimelek bort. Og han sa: Øk din hær, Abimelek, og dra ut!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Samuel 15:4
And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”
Read in contextRomans 1:30–31
slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.
Read in contextPsalms 10:3
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
Read in context2 Kings 14:8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.
Read in context2 Kings 18:23
Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
Read in contextIsaiah 36:8–9
Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
Read in context1 Kings 20:11
And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
Read in context2 Samuel 2:14–17
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
Read in context