< Hakim-hakim 9 >

1 Suatu hari, Abimelek anak Gideon pergi ke Sikem untuk menemui saudara-saudara ibunya. Dia berkata kepada mereka dan kepada seluruh keluarga ibunya,
Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
2 “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.”
“Please speak in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
3 Lalu saudara-saudara ibunya menyampaikan tawaran Abimelek itu kepada semua pemimpin Sikem. Mereka pun setuju, sebab kata mereka, “Dia memang saudara kita.”
His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”
4 Para pemimpin Sikem kemudian memberi Abimelek 70 uang perak dari kuil dewa Baal Berit. Abimelek menggunakan uang itu untuk membayar preman-preman menjadi pengikutnya.
They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him.
5 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.
He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.
6 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.
All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7 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!
When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
8 Pada suatu hari, pohon-pohon bersepakat untuk mengangkat raja bagi bangsa pohon. Kata mereka kepada pohon zaitun, “Jadilah raja kami!”
The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9 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.”
“But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honor God and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
10 Lalu kata pohon-pohon itu kepada pohon ara, “Jadilah raja kami!”
“The trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
11 Tetapi jawab pohon ara, “Aku tidak mau berhenti menghasilkan buahku yang lezat hanya untuk melambai-lambai di atas pohon-pohon lain.”
“But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
12 Lalu kata pohon-pohon itu kepada pohon anggur, “Jadilah raja kami!”
“The trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13 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.”
“The vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
14 Akhirnya berkatalah semua pohon itu kepada semak duri, “Jadilah raja kami!”
“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15 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!”
“The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 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?
“Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands
17 Ayahku sudah mempertaruhkan nyawanya waktu dia menggerakkan pasukan Israel untuk melepaskan kalian dari penindasan bangsa Midian.
(for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian;
18 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.
and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
19 “Kalau kalian memang bertindak benar kepada Gideon dan keluarganya, biarlah kalian berbahagia dipimpin Abimelek, dan Abimelek juga berbahagia menjadi raja kalian.
if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house today, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you;
20 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!”
but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Millo and devour Abimelech.”
21 Sesudah itu Yotam melarikan diri ke kota Beer dan menetap di sana untuk menghindar dari Abimelek, saudaranya itu.
Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
22 Setelah Abimelek memerintah atas bangsa Israel selama tiga tahun,
Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
23 Allah mengirimkan hawa permusuhan antara Abimelek dengan para pemimpin Sikem sehingga mereka berbalik melawan Abimelek.
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
24 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.
that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
25 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.
The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them; and Abimelech was told about it.
26 Pada waktu itu, Gaal anak Ebed bersama saudara-saudaranya datang untuk menetap di kota Sikem. Kebanyakan pemimpin Sikem setuju untuk menjadikan dia pemimpin mereka.
Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
27 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.
They went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their god and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
28 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!
Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?
29 Kalau saja saya menjadi pemimpin Sikem, saya akan menyingkirkan Abimelek! Akan saya katakan kepadanya, ‘Kumpulkan tentaramu. Ayo kita perang!’”
I wish that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech.” He said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out!”
30 Kata-kata Gaal itu terdengar oleh Zebul, walikota Sikem, sehingga dia sangat murka.
When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned.
31 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.
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.
32 Karena itu, datanglah malam ini bersama pasukanmu dan bersembunyilah di padang.
Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.
33 Besok pagi, saat matahari terbit, seranglah Sikem. Waktu Gaal dan orang-orangnya keluar menghadapimu, itulah kesempatan untuk menghabisi dia!”
It shall be that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush on the city. Behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.”
34 Maka Abimelek dan seluruh pasukannya berangkat pada malam hari. Mereka dibagi menjadi empat kelompok, kemudian bersembunyi di sekeliling Sikem untuk menyerbu kota itu.
Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 Saat Gaal keluar dan berdiri di pintu gerbang kota, Abimelek beserta pasukannya mulai keluar dari tempat persembunyian.
Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
36 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.”
When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”
37 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!”
Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
38 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.”
Then Zebul said to him, “Now where is your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Isn’t this the people that you have despised? Please go out now and fight with them.”
39 Maka Gaal mengerahkan warga Sikem yang berpihak kepadanya. Mereka keluar memerangi Abimelek dan pasukannya.
Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
40 Abimelek mengejar Gaal, dan Gaal melarikan diri. Banyak orang Sikem terluka bahkan mati sebelum mereka bisa masuk kembali ke pintu gerbang kota.
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
41 Lalu Abimelek kembali tinggal di Aruma. Sementara itu, Zebul mengusir Gaal dan saudara-saudaranya dari Sikem.
Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
42 Keesokan harinya, orang-orang Sikem bersiap-siap keluar dari kota untuk bekerja di ladang-ladang mereka seperti biasa. Kegiatan mereka itu dilaporkan kepada Abimelek.
On the next day, the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
43 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.
He took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city. So, he rose up against them and struck them.
44 Abimelek bersama kelompoknya menyerbu pintu gerbang kota dan berjaga di sana, sedangkan dua kelompok yang lain menyerbu semua orang di ladang dan membunuh mereka.
Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field and struck them.
45 Abimelek berperang melawan Sikem sepanjang hari. Dia merebut kota itu, membunuh semua penduduknya, lalu menghancurkan kota itu dan menaburinya dengan garam.
Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city and killed the people in it. He beat down the city and sowed it with salt.
46 Mendengar kabar tentang pertempuran di luar gerbang kota, seluruh pemimpin kota yang tinggal di dalam Menara Sikem lari ke kubu di kuil Baal Berit.
When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
47 Ketika Abimelek mendapat laporan bahwa semua warga Menara Sikem sudah berkumpul di sana,
Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48 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!”
Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!”
49 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.
All the people likewise each cut down his bough, followed Abimelech, and put them at the base of the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50 Selanjutnya Abimelek pergi ke kota Tebes. Dia mengepung dan menaklukkan kota itu.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51 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.
But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.
52 Abimelek pun mendatangi menara itu untuk menyerang. Ketika dia mendekati pintunya dan hendak membakarnya,
Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and came near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53 seorang perempuan di atas menjatuhkan batu kilangan menimpa Abimelek sehingga remuklah tempurung kepalanya.
A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull.
54 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.
Then he called hastily to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.”
55 Ketika pasukan Israel melihat bahwa Abimelek sudah mati, mereka pulang ke rumah masing-masing.
When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed to his place.
56 Begitulah Allah mengatur pembayaran hutang darah pada Abimelek karena dia membunuh tujuh puluh saudaranya.
Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers;
57 Allah juga membalas orang-orang Sikem atas segala perbuatan jahat mereka. Demikianlah kutukan Yotam anak Gideon terhadap mereka menjadi kenyataan.
and God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads; and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came on them.

< Hakim-hakim 9 >