< Judges 9 >
1 Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, to his maternal brothers, and he spoke to them, and to all the relatives of the house of his maternal grandfather, saying:
Suatu hari, Abimelek anak Gideon pergi ke Sikem untuk menemui saudara-saudara ibunya. Dia berkata kepada mereka dan kepada seluruh keluarga ibunya,
2 “Speak to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you: that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And consider also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
“Tanyakanlah kepada semua pemuka kota Sikem, ‘Bagi kalian, apakah lebih baik ketujuh puluh anak Gideon memerintah atas kalian, atau hanya satu raja saja?’ Ingatlah bahwa aku ini saudara kandung kalian sendiri.”
3 And his maternal brothers spoke about him to all the men of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying, “He is our brother.”
Lalu saudara-saudara ibunya menyampaikan tawaran Abimelek itu kepada semua pemimpin Sikem. Mereka pun setuju, sebab kata mereka, “Dia memang saudara kita.”
4 And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him.
Para pemimpin Sikem kemudian memberi Abimelek 70 uang perak dari kuil dewa Baal Berit. Abimelek menggunakan uang itu untuk membayar preman-preman menjadi pengikutnya.
5 And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.
Kemudian Abimelek pergi ke rumah ayahnya di Ofra dan membunuh tujuh puluh dari saudara laki-lakinya di atas satu batu. Tetapi Yotam, anak bungsu Gideon, berhasil selamat karena bersembunyi.
6 Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem.
Lalu warga kota Sikem dan kota Bet Milo mengadakan pertemuan di bawah pohon besar yang dianggap keramat di Sikem, dan mengangkat Abimelek menjadi raja mereka.
7 When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: “Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
Ketika Yotam mendengar kabar ini, dia naik ke puncak gunung Gerizim. Di sana dia berdiri dan berseru dengan lantang kepada orang-orang Sikem: Dengarkan saya, hai para pemimpin Sikem, supaya Allah moga-moga juga akan mendengarkan kalian!
8 The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
Pada suatu hari, pohon-pohon bersepakat untuk mengangkat raja bagi bangsa pohon. Kata mereka kepada pohon zaitun, “Jadilah raja kami!”
9 And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’
Tetapi jawab pohon zaitun, “Aku tidak mau berhenti menghasilkan minyakku, yang dipakai sebagai tanda kehormatan untuk manusia maupun dewa-dewa, hanya untuk melambai-lambai di atas pohon-pohon lain.”
10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’
Lalu kata pohon-pohon itu kepada pohon ara, “Jadilah raja kami!”
11 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?’
Tetapi jawab pohon ara, “Aku tidak mau berhenti menghasilkan buahku yang lezat hanya untuk melambai-lambai di atas pohon-pohon lain.”
12 And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Lalu kata pohon-pohon itu kepada pohon anggur, “Jadilah raja kami!”
13 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’
Tetapi jawab pohon anggur, “Aku tidak mau berhenti menghasilkan anggur yang menggembirakan manusia maupun dewa-dewa hanya untuk melambai-lambai di atas pohon-pohon lain.”
14 And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Akhirnya berkatalah semua pohon itu kepada semak duri, “Jadilah raja kami!”
15 And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”
Jawab semak duri kepada pohon-pohon itu, “Jika kalian benar-benar ingin memilihku menjadi raja kalian, datanglah berlindung di bawah ranting-rantingku! Tetapi jika tidak, biarlah api keluar dariku dan menghanguskan kalian semua, bahkan sampai pohon-pohon aras di Libanon!”
16 So now, if you are upright and without sin in appointing Abimelech as a king over you, and if you have acted well with Jerubbaal, and with his house, and if you have repaid, in turn, the benefits of him who fought on your behalf,
Lanjut Yotam, “Sekarang, apakah kalian sudah bertindak benar saat mengangkat Abimelek menjadi raja? Dan apakah kalian sudah berbuat baik kepada Gideon dan keluarganya setimpal dengan perbuatan baiknya bagi kalian?
17 and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,
Ayahku sudah mempertaruhkan nyawanya waktu dia menggerakkan pasukan Israel untuk melepaskan kalian dari penindasan bangsa Midian.
18 though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,
Tetapi hari ini kalian menyerang keluarga ayahku. Kalian membunuh tujuh puluh anak laki-lakinya pada satu batu! Kalian mengangkat Abimelek, anak dari budak perempuan ayahku, menjadi raja atas warga Sikem, hanya karena dia adalah saudara kalian.
19 if therefore you are upright and have acted without fault with Jerubbaal and his house, then you should rejoice on this day in Abimelech, and he should rejoice in you.
“Kalau kalian memang bertindak benar kepada Gideon dan keluarganya, biarlah kalian berbahagia dipimpin Abimelek, dan Abimelek juga berbahagia menjadi raja kalian.
20 But if you have acted perversely, may fire go forth from him and consume the inhabitants of Shechem and the town of Millo. And may fire go forth from the men of Shechem and from the town of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”
Tetapi jika tidak, biarlah Abimelek mendatangkan masalah bagi warga Sikem dan Bet Milo, juga sebaliknya, orang Sikem dan Bet Milo menjadi celaka bagi Abimelek— seperti api keluar dari semak duri dan menghanguskan bangsa pohon!”
21 And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.
Sesudah itu Yotam melarikan diri ke kota Beer dan menetap di sana untuk menghindar dari Abimelek, saudaranya itu.
22 And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
Setelah Abimelek memerintah atas bangsa Israel selama tiga tahun,
23 And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,
Allah mengirimkan hawa permusuhan antara Abimelek dengan para pemimpin Sikem sehingga mereka berbalik melawan Abimelek.
24 and to place blame for the crime of the killing of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for the shedding of their blood, upon Abimelech, their brother, and upon the rest of the leaders of the Shechemites, who assisted him.
Allah melakukan ini supaya ada pembayaran hutang darah dari Abimelek dan orang-orang Sikem, karena Abimelek sudah membunuh tujuh puluh anak laki-laki Gideon, dan orang-orang Sikem sudah membantu Abimelek dalam kejahatan itu.
25 And they stationed an ambush against him at the summit of the mountains. And while they were waiting for his arrival, they committed robberies, taking spoils from those passing by. And this was reported to Abimelech.
Para pemimpin Sikem ingin membunuh Abimelek, jadi mereka membayar sekelompok perampok untuk bersembunyi di puncak-puncak bukit dan menyergap dia. Tetapi para perampok itu menjarah semua orang yang lewat di sana. Akhirnya rencana mereka itu terdengar oleh Abimelek.
26 Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,
Pada waktu itu, Gaal anak Ebed bersama saudara-saudaranya datang untuk menetap di kota Sikem. Kebanyakan pemimpin Sikem setuju untuk menjadikan dia pemimpin mereka.
27 departed into the fields, laying waste to the vineyards, and trampling the grapes. And while singing and dancing, they entered into the shrine of their god. And while feasting and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.
Suatu hari, mereka pergi ke ladang, memanen anggur dari kebun mereka, memerasnya untuk membuat minuman anggur, lalu berpesta. Mereka masuk ke kuil dewa mereka dan makan minum sambil mengutuki Abimelek.
28 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried out: “Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, who has appointed Zebul, his servant, as ruler over the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
Gaal berkata, “Abimelek itu anak si Yerubaal. Jadi sebenarnya dia tidak pantas menjadi pemimpin kita. Zebul, si walikota, juga sama saja. Dia hanya orang suruhan Abimelek. Sedangkan Hemor, nenek moyang saya, adalah pendiri Sikem. Lebih pantas kalau kota ini dipimpin oleh keturunan Hemor!
29 I wish that someone would set this people under my hand, so that I might take away Abimelech from their midst.” And it was told to Abimelech, “Gather the multitude of an army, and approach.”
Kalau saja saya menjadi pemimpin Sikem, saya akan menyingkirkan Abimelek! Akan saya katakan kepadanya, ‘Kumpulkan tentaramu. Ayo kita perang!’”
30 For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.
Kata-kata Gaal itu terdengar oleh Zebul, walikota Sikem, sehingga dia sangat murka.
31 And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: “Behold, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has arrived at Shechem with his brothers, and he has set the city against you.
Maka dia mengirim pesan rahasia kepada Abimelek, isinya, “Gaal anak Ebed dan saudara-saudaranya sudah datang ke Sikem. Mereka menghasut warga kota untuk memberontak darimu.
32 And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.
Karena itu, datanglah malam ini bersama pasukanmu dan bersembunyilah di padang.
33 And at first light in the morning, as the sun is rising, rush upon the city. And when he goes out against you, with his people, do to him what you are able to do.”
Besok pagi, saat matahari terbit, seranglah Sikem. Waktu Gaal dan orang-orangnya keluar menghadapimu, itulah kesempatan untuk menghabisi dia!”
34 And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.
Maka Abimelek dan seluruh pasukannya berangkat pada malam hari. Mereka dibagi menjadi empat kelompok, kemudian bersembunyi di sekeliling Sikem untuk menyerbu kota itu.
35 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and he stood at the entrance to the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and all the army with him, from the places of the ambushes.
Saat Gaal keluar dan berdiri di pintu gerbang kota, Abimelek beserta pasukannya mulai keluar dari tempat persembunyian.
36 And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, a multitude is descending from the mountains.” And he responded to him, “You are seeing the shadows of the mountains, as if they were the heads of men, and so you are being deceived by this error.”
Gaal melihat mereka dan berkata kepada Zebul, “Lihat, di sana ada orang-orang turun dari puncak gunung!” Jawab Zebul, “Itu hanya bayang-bayang gunung, bukan manusia.”
37 Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”
Lalu Gaal berkata lagi, “Bukan! Ada orang-orang yang turun dari puncak bukit itu! Dan ada satu kelompok lagi datang dari jalan Pohon Besar Peramal!”
38 And Zebul said to him: “Where is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people that you were despising? Go out and fight against him.”
Jawab Zebul, “Nah, di mana sekarang mulut besarmu itu? Katamu, ‘Siapakah Abimelek sampai-sampai kita harus mengabdi kepadanya?’ Itulah orang-orang yang sudah engkau hina! Sekarang majulah melawan mereka.”
39 Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,
Maka Gaal mengerahkan warga Sikem yang berpihak kepadanya. Mereka keluar memerangi Abimelek dan pasukannya.
40 who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.
Abimelek mengejar Gaal, dan Gaal melarikan diri. Banyak orang Sikem terluka bahkan mati sebelum mereka bisa masuk kembali ke pintu gerbang kota.
41 And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.
Lalu Abimelek kembali tinggal di Aruma. Sementara itu, Zebul mengusir Gaal dan saudara-saudaranya dari Sikem.
42 Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,
Keesokan harinya, orang-orang Sikem bersiap-siap keluar dari kota untuk bekerja di ladang-ladang mereka seperti biasa. Kegiatan mereka itu dilaporkan kepada Abimelek.
43 he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them,
Maka Abimelek membawa pasukannya, membagi mereka menjadi tiga kelompok, dan menyuruh mereka bersembunyi di ladang-ladang. Ketika banyak warga keluar dari kota, Abimelek memberi perintah untuk menyerang dan membunuh mereka.
44 along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.
Abimelek bersama kelompoknya menyerbu pintu gerbang kota dan berjaga di sana, sedangkan dua kelompok yang lain menyerbu semua orang di ladang dan membunuh mereka.
45 Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.
Abimelek berperang melawan Sikem sepanjang hari. Dia merebut kota itu, membunuh semua penduduknya, lalu menghancurkan kota itu dan menaburinya dengan garam.
46 And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.
Mendengar kabar tentang pertempuran di luar gerbang kota, seluruh pemimpin kota yang tinggal di dalam Menara Sikem lari ke kubu di kuil Baal Berit.
47 Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
Ketika Abimelek mendapat laporan bahwa semua warga Menara Sikem sudah berkumpul di sana,
48 ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.”
dia pun pergi ke gunung Zalmon bersama seluruh pasukannya. Abimelek mengambil sebuah kapak, memotong beberapa dahan pohon dan memikulnya. Dia memerintahkan pasukannya, “Cepat, lakukanlah seperti yang saya lakukan!”
49 And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.
Maka setiap prajuritnya juga memotong dahan-dahan dan mengikuti Abimelek. Mereka menaruh dahan-dahan itu pada kubu di kuil Baal Berit lalu membakarnya. Semua warga Menara Sikem mati, sekitar seribu orang, laki-laki dan perempuan.
50 Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
Selanjutnya Abimelek pergi ke kota Tebes. Dia mengepung dan menaklukkan kota itu.
51 Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.
Tetapi ada menara yang sangat kuat di tengah-tengah Tebes. Seluruh warga baik laki-laki maupun perempuan, juga semua pemimpin kota, masuk ke dalam menara itu. Mereka mengunci pintunya dan naik ke atap menara.
52 And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
Abimelek pun mendatangi menara itu untuk menyerang. Ketika dia mendekati pintunya dan hendak membakarnya,
53 And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
seorang perempuan di atas menjatuhkan batu kilangan menimpa Abimelek sehingga remuklah tempurung kepalanya.
54 And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.
Abimelek cepat-cepat menyuruh pemuda yang membawa senjatanya, “Tarik pedangmu dan bunuhlah aku. Jangan sampai orang-orang berkata, ‘Abimelek dibunuh oleh perempuan.’” Maka pemuda itu menusuk Abimelek dan dia pun mati.
55 And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.
Ketika pasukan Israel melihat bahwa Abimelek sudah mati, mereka pulang ke rumah masing-masing.
56 And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
Begitulah Allah mengatur pembayaran hutang darah pada Abimelek karena dia membunuh tujuh puluh saudaranya.
57 The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.
Allah juga membalas orang-orang Sikem atas segala perbuatan jahat mereka. Demikianlah kutukan Yotam anak Gideon terhadap mereka menjadi kenyataan.