Judges 9:31
29 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.
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.
32 Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
33 And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”
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
- 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.
- KJV
- And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
- WEB
- He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.
- ASV
- And he sent messengers unto Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem; and, behold, they constrain the city [to take part] against thee.
- DARBY
- and he sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem, and behold, they shut up the city against thee;
- BLB
- And he sent messengers to Abimelech in deceit, saying, “Behold, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. And behold, they are fortifying the city against you.
- ÅB
- og han sendte hemmelig bud til Abimelek og lot si: Ga'al, Ebeds sønn, og hans brødre er kommet til Sikem, og de egger byen opp imot deg.
- OTB
- I hemmelighet sendte han budbringere til Abimelek og sa: "Gaal, sønn av Ebed, og hans slektninger har kommet til Sikem og oppvigler byen mot deg.
- B1930
- og han sendte hemmelig bud til Abimelek og lot si: Ga'al, Ebeds sønn, og hans brødre er kommet til Sikem, og de egger byen op imot dig.