న్యాయాధిపతులు 9
1 ౧ యెరుబ్బయలు కొడుకు అబీమెలెకు షెకెములో ఉన్న తన మేనమామల దగ్గరికి వెళ్లి, వాళ్ళతో, తన తల్లి పూర్వీకుల కుటుంబాల వారితో,
൧അനന്തരം യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ മകനായ അബീമേലെക്ക് ശെഖേമിൽ തന്റെ അമ്മയുടെ സഹോദരന്മാരുടെ അടുക്കൽ ചെന്ന് അവരോടും തന്റെ അമ്മയുടെ പിതൃഭവനമായ സർവ്വകുടുംബത്തോടും പറഞ്ഞത്:
2 ౨ “మీరు దయ చేసి షెకెము నాయకులందరూ వినేలా వాళ్ళతో మాట్లాడండి, మీకేది మంచిది? యెరుబ్బయలు కొడుకులు డెబ్భైమంది మిమ్మల్ని ఏలుబడి చేయడం మంచిదా? ఒక్కడు మిమ్మల్ని ఏలుబడి చేయడం మంచిదా? నేను మీ రక్తసంబంధినని జ్ఞాపకం చేసుకోండి” అని అన్నాడు.
൨യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ എഴുപത് പുത്രന്മാർ എല്ലാവരും ചേർന്നോ ഒരുത്തൻ തന്നെയോ നിങ്ങളെ ഭരിക്കുന്നത്, ഏതാകുന്നു നിങ്ങൾക്ക് നല്ലത്? ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ അസ്ഥിയും മാംസവും ആകുന്നു എന്ന് ഓർത്തുകൊൾവിൻ എന്ന് ശെഖേമിലെ സകലപൌരന്മാരോടും പറവിൻ.
3 ౩ అతని తల్లి సహోదరులు అతని గూర్చి షెకెము యజమానులు వినేలా ఆ మాటలన్నీ చెప్పినప్పుడు వాళ్ళు “ఇతను మన సహోదరుడు” అనుకుని తమ హృదయం అబీమెలెకు వైపు తిప్పుకున్నారు.
൩അങ്ങനെ അവന്റെ അമ്മയുടെ സഹോദരന്മാർ ശെഖേമിലെ സകലപൌരന്മാരോടും ഈ വാക്കുകളൊക്കെയും അവനുവേണ്ടി സംസാരിച്ചപ്പോൾ, അവരുടെ ഹൃദയം അബീമേലെക്കിന് അനുകൂലമായി തിരിഞ്ഞു: അവൻ നമ്മുടെ സഹോദരനല്ലോ എന്ന് അവർ പറഞ്ഞു.
4 ౪ అప్పుడు వాళ్ళు బయల్బెరీతు గుడిలోనుంచి డెబ్భై తులాల వెండి తెచ్చి అతనికి ఇచ్చినప్పుడు వాటితో అబీమెలెకు అల్లరి మూకను కూలికి పెట్టుకున్నాడు. వాళ్ళు అతని వశంలో ఉన్నవాళ్ళు.
൪പിന്നെ അവർ ബാൽബെരീത്തിന്റെ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽനിന്ന് എഴുപത് വെള്ളിക്കാശ് എടുത്ത് അവന് കൊടുത്തു; അതുകൊണ്ട് അബീമേലെക്ക് കലഹക്കാരും ബുദ്ധിശൂന്യരുമായ ആളുകളെ കൂലിക്ക് വാങ്ങി അവർക്ക് നായകനായ്തീർന്നു.
5 ౫ తరువాత అతడు ఒఫ్రాలో ఉన్న తన తండ్రి యింటికి వెళ్లి యెరుబ్బయలు కొడుకులు, తన సహోదరులు అయిన ఆ డెబ్భై మందిని ఒక్క బండ మీద చంపాడు. యెరుబ్బయలు చిన్న కొడుకు యోతాము మాత్రమే దాక్కుని తప్పించుకున్నాడు.
൫പിന്നെ അവൻ ഒഫ്രയിൽ തന്റെ അപ്പന്റെ വീട്ടിൽചെന്ന് യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ പുത്രന്മാരായി തന്റെ സഹോദരന്മാരായ എഴുപതുപേരെയും ഒരു കല്ലിന്മേൽവെച്ച് കൊന്നു; എന്നാൽ യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ ഇളയമകനായ യോഥാം ഒളിവിൽ പോയതുകൊണ്ട് അവൻ മാത്രം ശേഷിച്ചു.
6 ౬ తరువాత షెకెము నాయకులందరూ, బెత్ మిల్లో ఇంటివారందరూ కలిసి వచ్చి షెకెములో ఉన్న మస్తకి చెట్టు కింద శిబిరం దగ్గర అబీమెలెకును రాజుగా నియమించారు.
൬അതിന്‍റെശേഷം ശെഖേമിലെയും ബേത് മില്ലോവിലേയും സകലപൌരന്മാരും ഒരുമിച്ചുകൂടി ശെഖേമിലെ തൂണിന്നരികെ, കരുവേലകത്തിനടുത്തുവച്ച് അബീമേലെക്കിനെ രാജാവാക്കി.
7 ౭ అది యోతాముకు తెలిసినప్పుడు అతడు వెళ్లి గెరిజీము కొండ అంచు మీద నిలబడి బిగ్గరగా పిలిచి, వాళ్ళతో ఇలా అన్నాడు, “షెకెము పెద్దలారా, మీరు నా మాట వింటే దేవుడు మీ మాట వింటాడు.
൭ഇതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് യോഥാം അറിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ, അവൻ ഗെരിസീംമലമുകളിൽ ചെന്ന് ഉച്ചത്തിൽ വിളിച്ചുപറഞ്ഞതെന്തെന്നാൽ: ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാരേ, ദൈവം നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ചെവി തരേണ്ടതിന് നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ വാക്ക് ശ്രദ്ധിപ്പിൻ
൮ഒരിക്കൽ വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ തങ്ങൾക്ക് ഒരു രാജാവിനെ അഭിഷേകം ചെയ്‌വാൻ പോയി; അവ ഒലിവുവൃക്ഷത്തോട്: നീ ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് രാജാവായിരിക്ക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
9 ౯ మమ్మల్ని ఏలమని ఒలీవచెట్టుని అడిగాయి. ఒలీవచెట్టు ‘దేవుణ్ణీ మానవులనూ దేనివలన మనుషులు సన్మానిస్తారో అలాటి నా నూనె ఇవ్వకుండా చెట్ల మీద రాజుగా ఉండి ఇటు అటు ఊగడానికి నేను వస్తానా’ అని వాటితో అంది.
൯അതിന് ഒലിവുവൃക്ഷം: ദൈവവും മനുഷ്യരും എന്നെ പുകഴ്ത്തുവാൻ ഹേതുവായിരിക്കുന്ന എന്റെ തൈലം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് ഞാൻ വൃക്ഷങ്ങളുടെമേൽ ആടുവാൻ പോകുമോ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
൧൦പിന്നെ വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ അത്തിവൃക്ഷത്തോട്: നീ വന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് രാജാവായിരിക്ക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
11 ౧౧ అంజూరపు చెట్టు, ‘చెట్ల మీద రాజుగా ఉండి ఇటు అటు ఊగడానికి నా మాధుర్యాన్ని, నా మంచి ఫలాలను ఇవ్వకుండా నేను మానాలా?’ అని వాటితో అంది.
൧൧അതിന് അത്തിവൃക്ഷം: എന്റെ മധുരമുള്ള വിശേഷപ്പെട്ട പഴവും ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് വൃക്ഷങ്ങളുടെമേൽ ആടുവാൻ ഞാൻ പോകുമോ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
൧൨പിന്നെ വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ മുന്തിരിവള്ളിയോട്: നീ വന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് രാജാവായിരിക്ക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
13 ౧౩ ‘దేవుణ్ణీ మానవులనూ సంతోషపెట్టే నా రసాన్ని ఇవ్వకుండా మాని చెట్ల మీద రాజుగా ఉండి ఇటు అటు ఊగడానికి నేను వస్తానా’ అని వాటితో అంది.
൧൩മുന്തിരിവള്ളി അവയോട്: ദൈവത്തെയും മനുഷ്യനെയും ആനന്ദിപ്പിക്കുന്ന എന്റെ മുന്തിരിരസം ഞാൻ ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് വൃക്ഷങ്ങളുടെമേൽ ആടുവാൻ പോകുമോ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
൧൪പിന്നെ വൃക്ഷങ്ങളെല്ലാം കൂടെ മുൾപടർപ്പിനോട്: നീ വന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് രാജാവായിരിക്ക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
15 ౧౫ ముండ్ల పొద ‘మీరు నిజంగా నన్ను మీ మీద రాజుగా నియమించుకోవాలని కోరుకుంటే నా నీడలోకి రండి. లేదా అగ్ని నాలో నుంచి బయలుదేరి లెబానోను దేవదారు చెట్లను కాల్చివేస్తుంది’ అని చెట్లతో చెప్పింది.”
൧൫മുൾപടർപ്പ് വൃക്ഷങ്ങളോട്: നിങ്ങൾ യഥാർത്ഥമായി എന്നെ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് രാജാവായി അഭിഷേകം ചെയ്യുന്നു എങ്കിൽ വന്ന് എന്റെ നിഴലിൽ ആശ്രയിപ്പിൻ; അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മുൾപടർപ്പിൽനിന്ന് തീ പുറപ്പെട്ട് ലെബാനോനിലെ ദേവദാരുക്കളെ ദഹിപ്പിക്കട്ടെ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
16 ౧౬ “నా తండ్రి మీ నిమిత్తం తన ప్రాణాలకు తెగించి యుద్ధం చేసి మిద్యానీయుల చేతిలో నుంచి మిమ్మల్ని విడిపించాడు.
൧൬നിങ്ങൾ ഇപ്പോൾ അബീമേലെക്കിനെ രാജാവാക്കിയത് വിശ്വസ്തമായും പരമാർത്ഥമായും ആയിരുന്നോ? നിങ്ങൾ യെരുബ്ബാലിനോടും അവന്റെ കുടുംബത്തോടും നന്മയാണോ ചെയ്തത്? അവൻ അർഹിക്കുന്നതിന് തക്കവണ്ണമോ നിങ്ങൾ അവനോട് പ്രവർത്തിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത്?
17 ౧౭ అయితే మీరు నా తండ్రి కుటుంబం మీదికి లేచి, ఒకే బండ మీద అతనిడెబ్భై మంది కొడుకులను చంపిన, అతని దాసీ కొడుకు అబీమెలెకు మీ బంధువు కాబట్టి, షెకెమువాళ్ళ మీద అతన్ని రాజుగా నియమించారు. యెరుబ్బయలుకు, అతని ఇంటి వాళ్ళకు, మీరు ఉపకారం చెయ్యకుండా
൧൭എന്റെ അപ്പൻ തന്റെ ജീവനെ ഗണ്യമാക്കാതെ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് വേണ്ടി യുദ്ധം ചെയ്ത് മിദ്യാന്റെ കയ്യിൽനിന്ന് നിങ്ങളെ രക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കെ
൧൮നിങ്ങൾ ഇന്ന് എന്റെ അപ്പന്റെ ഗൃഹത്തിന്നു വിരോധമായി എഴുന്നേറ്റ് അവന്റെ പുത്രന്മാരായ എഴുപത് പേരെയും ഒരു കല്ലിന്മേൽവെച്ച് കൊല്ലുകയും അവന്റെ ദാസിയുടെ മകനായ അബീമേലെക്ക് നിങ്ങളുടെ സഹോദരൻ ആയിരിക്കകൊണ്ട് അവനെ ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാർക്ക് രാജാവാക്കുകയും ചെയ്തുവല്ലോ.
19 ౧౯ నేడు మీరు యెరుబ్బయలు పట్ల అతని యింటివాళ్ళ పట్ల సత్యంగా యథార్ధంగా ప్రవర్తించి ఉంటే, అబీమెలెకును బట్టి సంతోషించండి. అతడు మిమ్మల్ని బట్టి సంతోషిస్తాడు గాక.
൧൯ഇങ്ങനെ നിങ്ങൾ ഇന്ന് യെരുബ്ബാലിനോടും അവന്റെ കുടുംബത്തോടും ചെയ്തത് വിശ്വസ്തതയും പരമാർത്ഥതയും ആണെങ്കിൽ നിങ്ങൾ അബീമേലെക്കിലും അവൻ നിങ്ങളിലും സന്തോഷിക്കട്ടെ.
20 ౨౦ అలా కాకపోతే అబీమెలెకు నుంచి అగ్ని బయలుదేరి షెకెము వాళ్ళనీ బెత్ మిల్లో యింటి వాళ్ళనీ కాల్చివేయు గాక. షెకెము వాళ్ళలో నుంచి, బెత్ మిల్లో యింటినుంచి అగ్ని బయలుదేరి అబీమెలెకును కాల్చివేయు గాక” అని చెప్పాడు.
൨൦അല്ലെങ്കിൽ അബീമേലെക്കിൽനിന്ന് തീ പുറപ്പെട്ട് ശെഖേമിലേയും ബേത് മില്ലൊവിലേയും പൗരന്മാരെയും, നിങ്ങളിൽനിന്ന് തീ പുറപ്പെട്ട് അവനെയും ദഹിപ്പിക്കട്ടെ.
൨൧ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞിട്ട് യോഥാം ഓടിപ്പോയി ബേരിലേക്ക് ചെന്ന് തന്റെ സഹോദരനായ അബീമേലെക്കിനെ പേടിച്ച് അവിടെ പാർത്തു.
൨൨അബിമേലെക്ക് യിസ്രായേലിനെ മൂന്നു വർഷം ഭരിച്ചശേഷം
23 ౨౩ దేవుడు అబీమెలెకుకు, షెకెము నాయకులకు వైరం కలిగించే దురాత్మను వాళ్ళ మీదికి పంపాడు. అప్పుడు షెకెము నాయకులు అబీమేలెకుతో తమకున్న ఇప్పండం విషయంలో ద్రోహం చేశారు.
൨൩ദൈവം അബീമേലെക്കിനും ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാർക്കും തമ്മിൽ ഭിന്നത വരുത്തി; ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാർ അബീമേലെക്കിനോട് വിശ്വാസവഞ്ചന കാണിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി;
24 ౨౪ యెరుబ్బయలు డెబ్భైమంది కొడుకులకు అబీమెలెకు చేసిన ద్రోహం మూలంగా వాళ్ళను చంపిన వారి సోదరుడు అబీమెలెకు మీదికి ప్రతిఫలం వచ్చేలా దేవుడు ఈ విధంగా చేశాడు. అతడు తన సహోదరులను చంపేలా అతన్ని బలపరచిన షెకెము నాయకుల మీదికి కూడా ఆ నరహత్య ఫలం వచ్చేలా ఆయన చేశాడు.
൨൪അങ്ങനെ യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ എഴുപത് പുത്രന്മാരോടും ചെയ്ത കുറ്റത്തിന് പ്രതികാരം വരികയും, അതിന്റെ ഫലം അവരെ കൊന്നവനായ അവരുടെ സഹോദരൻ അബീമേലെക്കും, അതിന് അവനെ സഹായിച്ച ശെഖേം പൌരന്മാരും അനുഭവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.
25 ౨౫ షెకెము యజమానులు కొండ శిఖరాలమీద అతని కోసం మాటు గాళ్ళను ఉంచి, ఆ దారిలో వాళ్ళ దగ్గరికి వచ్చిన వాళ్ళందరినీ దోచుకున్నారు. అది అబీమెలెకుకు తెలిసింది.
൨൫ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാർ മലമുകളിൽ അവന് വിരോധമായി പതിയിരിപ്പുകാരെ ആക്കി, ഇവർ തങ്ങളുടെ സമീപത്തുകൂടി വഴിപോകുന്ന എല്ലാവരേയും കവർച്ച ചെയ്തു; ഇതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് അബീമേലെക്കിന് അറിവുകിട്ടി.
൨൬അപ്പോൾ ഏബേദിന്റെ മകനായ ഗാലും അവന്റെ സഹോദരന്മാരും ശെഖേമിലേക്ക് വന്നു; ശെഖേംപൌരന്മാർ അവനെ വിശ്വസിച്ചു.
27 ౨౭ వాళ్ళు పొలాల్లోకి వెళ్లి ద్రాక్ష పళ్ళు ఏరుకుని, వాటిని తొక్కి కృతజ్ఞతార్పణం చెల్లించి, తమ దేవుళ్ళ మందిరంలోకి వెళ్లి పండగ చేసుకున్నారు. వారు అన్నపానాలు పుచ్చుకొంటూ అబీమెలెకును దూషించినప్పుడు
൨൭അവർ വയലിൽ ചെന്ന് തങ്ങളുടെ മുന്തിരിത്തോട്ടങ്ങളിലെ കൊല അറുത്ത് ആഘോഷിച്ചു; തങ്ങളുടെ ദേവന്റെ ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ ചെന്ന്, തിന്നുകുടിച്ച് അബീമേലെക്കിനെ ശപിച്ചു
28 ౨౮ ఎబెదు కొడుకు గాలు ఇలా అన్నాడు “అబీమెలెకు ఎంతటివాడు? షెకెము ఎంతటివాడు? మనం అతనికెందుకు దాసులం కావాలి? అతడు యెరుబ్బయలు కొడుకు కాడా? జెబులు అతని ఉద్యోగి కాడా? షెకెము తండ్రి హమోరుకు చెందిన వాళ్ళను సేవిస్తాం గాని, మనం అబబీమెలెకుకు దాసులుగా ఎందుకుండాలి?
൨൮ഏബേദിന്റെ മകനായ ഗാല്‍ പറഞ്ഞത്: അബീമേലെക്കിനെ നാം സേവിക്കേണ്ടതിന് അവൻ ആര്? ശെഖേം ആര്? അവൻ യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ മകനും സെബൂൽ അവന്റെ കാര്യസ്ഥനും അല്ലയോ? നാം അവനെ സേവിക്കുന്നത് എന്തിന്? ശെഖേമിന്റെ അപ്പനായ ഹമോരിന്റെ ആളുകളെ സേവിക്കാം
29 ౨౯ ఈ ప్రజలు నా ఆధీనం ఉంటేనా! నేను అబీమెలెకును కూలదోసే వాణ్ణి గదా! నేను అబీమెలెకుతో, ‘నీ సైన్యాన్ని బయలుదేరి రమ్మను’ అనేవాణ్ణి గదా!” అన్నాడు.
൨൯ഈ ജനം എന്റെ കൈക്കീഴായിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ ഞാൻ അബീമേലെക്കിനെ നീക്കിക്കളകയുമായിരുന്നു. പിന്നെ അവൻ അബീമേലെക്കിനോട്: നിന്റെ സൈന്യത്തെ വർദ്ധിപ്പിച്ച് പുറപ്പെട്ട് വരിക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
൩൦ഏബേദിന്റെ മകനായ ഗാലിന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ നഗരാധിപനായ സെബൂൽ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ അവന്റെ കോപം ജ്വലിച്ചു.
31 ౩౧ అప్పుడతడు, అబీమెలెకు దగ్గరికి రహస్యంగా మనుషులను పంపి “ఎబెదు కొడుకు గాలు, అతని బంధువులు షెకెముకు వచ్చారు. వాళ్ళు నీకు వ్యతిరేకంగా ఈ పట్టణాన్ని రెచ్చగొడుతున్నారు
൩൧അവൻ രഹസ്യമായി അബീമേലെക്കിന്റെ അടുക്കൽ ദൂതന്മാരെ അയച്ച്: ഇതാ, ഏബേദിന്റെ മകനായ ഗാലും അവന്റെ സഹോദരന്മാരും ശെഖേമിൽ വന്നിരിക്കുന്നു; അവർ പട്ടണത്തെ നിനക്കെതിരായി ബലപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു.
൩൨ആകയാൽ നീയും നിന്നോടുകൂടെയുള്ള ജനവും രാത്രിയിൽ പുറപ്പെട്ട് വയലിൽ പതിയിരിപ്പിൻ.
33 ౩౩ ప్రొద్దున సూర్యుడు ఉదయించగానే నువ్వు త్వరగా లేచి పట్టణం మీద దాడి చెయ్యాలి. అప్పుడు అతడు అతనితో ఉన్న మనుషులు నీ మీదికి బయలుదేరి వస్తూ ఉన్నప్పుడు నువ్వు సమయం చూసి వాళ్ళకు చెయ్యవలసింది చెయ్యవచ్చు” అని కబురు పంపాడు.
൩൩രാവിലെ സൂര്യൻ ഉദിക്കുമ്പോൾ എഴുന്നേറ്റ് പട്ടണത്തെ ആക്രമിക്കുക; എന്നാൽ അവനും കൂടെയുള്ള ജനവും നിന്റെനേരെ പുറപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ, തക്കം പോലെ അവരോടു പ്രവർത്തിക്കാം എന്ന് പറയിച്ചു.
34 ౩౪ అబీమెలెకు అతనితో ఉన్న మనుషులందరూ రాత్రివేళ లేచి నాలుగు గుంపులై షెకెము మీద దాడి చెయ్యడానికి పొంచి ఉన్నారు.
൩൪അങ്ങനെ അബീമേലെക്കും കൂടെയുള്ള ജനമൊക്കെയും രാത്രിയിൽ പുറപ്പെട്ട് ശെഖേമിന്നരികെ നാല് കൂട്ടമായി പതിയിരുന്നു.
35 ౩౫ ఎబెదు కొడుకు గాలు బయలుదేరి పట్టణం ద్వారం దగ్గర నిలిచి ఉన్నప్పుడు అబీమెలెకు, అతనితో ఉన్న మనుషులు పొంచి ఉన్న చోటు నుండి లేచారు.
൩൫ഏബേദിന്റെ മകൻ ഗാല്‍ പുറപ്പെട്ട് പട്ടണവാതിൽക്കൽ നിന്നപ്പോൾ അബീമേലെക്കും കൂടെ ഉള്ള ജനവും പതിയിരിപ്പിൽ നിന്ന് എഴുന്നേറ്റു.
36 ౩౬ గాలు ఆ మనుషులను చూసి, జెబులుతో “ఇదిగో మనుషులు కొండ శిఖరాల మీద నుంచి దిగివస్తున్నారు” అన్నప్పుడు జెబులు “కొండల నీడలు నీకు మనుషుల్లా కనిపిస్తున్నాయి” అన్నాడు.
൩൬ഗാല്‍ ജനത്തെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ: അതാ, പർവ്വതങ്ങളുടെ മുകളിൽനിന്ന് ജനങ്ങൾ ഇറങ്ങിവരുന്നു എന്ന് സെബൂലിനോടു പറഞ്ഞു. സെബൂൽ അവനോട്: പർവ്വതങ്ങളുടെ നിഴൽ കണ്ടിട്ട് മനുഷ്യരെന്ന് നിനക്ക് തോന്നുന്നതാകുന്നു എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
37 ౩౭ అప్పుడు గాలు “చూడు, ఆ ప్రాంతంలోని ఉన్నత స్థలం నుంచి మనుషులు దిగి వస్తున్నారు. ఒక గుంపు శకునగాళ్ళ మస్తకి వృక్షపు దారిలో వస్తూ ఉంది” అన్నాడు.
൩൭ഗാല്‍ പിന്നെയും: അതാ, ജനം ദേശമദ്ധ്യേ ഇറങ്ങിവരുന്നു; മറ്റൊരുകൂട്ടം ലക്ഷണവിദ്യക്കാരുടെ കരുവേലകത്തിന്റെ സമീപത്തുകൂടി വരുന്നു എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
38 ౩౮ జెబులు అతనితో “మనం అతన్ని సేవించడానికి అబీమెలెకు ఎవడు, అని నువ్వు చెప్పిన గొప్పలు ఏమైనాయి? వీళ్ళు నువ్వు తృణీకరించిన మనుషులు కాదా? ఇప్పుడు వెళ్లి వాళ్ళతో యుద్ధం చెయ్యి” అన్నాడు.
൩൮സെബൂൽ അവനോട്: നാം അബീമേലെക്കിനെ സേവിക്കേണ്ടതിന് അവൻ ആരെന്ന് പറഞ്ഞ നിന്റെ വായ് ഇപ്പോൾ എവിടെ? ഇത് നീ പുച്ഛിച്ച ജനം അല്ലയോ? ഇപ്പോൾ പുറപ്പെട്ടു അവരോട് പൊരുതുക എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
൩൯അങ്ങനെ ഗാല്‍ ശെഖേം പൌരന്മാരെ നയിച്ച് അബീമേലെക്കിനോട് പടവെട്ടി.
40 ౪౦ అబీమెలెకు అతన్ని తరమగా, అతడు అతని యెదుట నిలువలేక పారిపోయాడు. చాలామంది గాయపడి పట్టణం ద్వారం వరకూ కూలారు.
൪൦അബീമേലെക്കിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ അവൻ തോറ്റോടി; അവൻ അവനെ പിന്തുടർന്നു; പടിവാതിൽ വരെ അനേകർ മുറിവേറ്റ് വീണു.
41 ౪౧ అప్పుడు అబీమెలెకు అరూమాలో ఉన్నాడు. గాలును అతని బంధువులనూ షెకెములో నివాసం ఉండకుండాా జెబులు వాళ్ళని తోలి వేశాడు.
൪൧അബീമേലെക്ക് അരൂമയിൽ താമസിച്ചു; സെബൂൽ ഗാലിനെയും സഹോദരന്മാരെയും ശെഖേമിൽ പാർപ്പാൻ അനുവദിക്കാതെ അവരെ നീക്കിക്കളഞ്ഞു.
൪൨പിറ്റെന്നാൾ ജനം വയലിലേക്കു പുറപ്പെട്ടു; അബീമേലെക്കിന് അതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് അറിവുകിട്ടിയപ്പോൾ,
43 ౪౩ అది అబీమెలెకుకు తెలిసినప్పుడు అతడు తన మనుషులను మూడు గుంపులుగా చేసి వాళ్ళను ఆ పొలంలో మాటుగా ఉంచాడు. అతడు చూస్తుండగా ప్రజలు పట్టణం నుంచి బయలుదేరి వస్తున్నారు గనుక అతడు వాళ్ళ మీద పడి వాళ్ళని చంపేశాడు.
൪൩അവൻ തന്റെ ജനത്തെ കൂട്ടി മൂന്നായി ഭാഗിച്ചു വയലിൽ പതിയിരുന്നു; പട്ടണത്തിൽനിന്ന് ജനം പുറപ്പെട്ടുവരുന്നത് കണ്ട് അവരുടെ നേരെ ചെന്ന് അവരെ ആക്രമിച്ചു.
44 ౪౪ అబీమెలెకు, అతనితో ఉన్న గుంపులు, ముందుకు వెళ్ళి పట్టణ ద్వారం దగ్గర నిలిచి ఉన్నప్పుడు ఆ రెండు గుంపులు పరుగెత్తి పొలాల్లో ఉన్న వాళ్ళందరినీ మట్టుపెట్టారు.
൪൪പിന്നെ അബീമേലെക്കും കൂടെയുള്ള കൂട്ടവും പാഞ്ഞുചെന്ന് പട്ടണവാതിൽക്കൽ നിന്നു; മറ്റെ കൂട്ടം രണ്ടും വയലിലുള്ള സകലജനത്തിന്റെയും നേരെ പാഞ്ഞുചെന്ന് അവരെ സംഹരിച്ചു.
45 ౪౫ ఆ రోజంతా అబీమెలెకు ఆ ఊరివారితో యుద్ధం చేసి ఊరిని స్వాధీనం చేసుకుని అందులో ఉన్న మనుషులను చంపి, పట్టణాన్ని పడగొట్టి ఆ ప్రాంతమంతా ఉప్పు చల్లించాడు.
൪൫അബീമേലെക്ക് ആ ദിവസം മുഴുവനും പട്ടണത്തോട് പടവെട്ടി, പട്ടണം പിടിച്ചു അതിലെ ജനത്തെ കൊന്നു, പട്ടണത്തെ ഇടിച്ചുകളഞ്ഞു, അതിൽ ഉപ്പ് വിതറി.
൪൬ശെഖേംഗോപുരവാസികൾ എല്ലാവരും ഇത് കേട്ടപ്പോൾ ഏൽബെരീത്തിന്റെ ക്ഷേത്രമണ്ഡപത്തിൽ കടന്നു.
൪൭ശെഖേംഗോപുരവാസികൾ എല്ലാവരും ഒന്നിച്ചുകൂടിയിരിക്കുന്നു എന്ന് അബീമേലെക്കിന് അറിവുകിട്ടി.
48 ౪౮ అతడు, అతనితో ఉన్న మనుషులందరూ, సల్మోను కొండ ఎక్కారు. అబీమెలెకు గొడ్డలి చేత పట్టుకుని ఒక పెద్ద చెట్టు కొమ్మ నరికి, యెత్తి భుజంపై పెట్టుకుని “నేనేం చేస్తున్నానో అదే మీరు కూడా చెయ్యండి” అని తనతో ఉన్న మనుషులతో చెప్పాడు.
൪൮അബീമേലെക്കും കൂടെയുള്ള ജനമൊക്കെയും സല്മോൻമലയിൽ കയറി; അബീമേലെക്ക് കോടാലി എടുത്ത് ഒരു മരക്കൊമ്പ് വെട്ടി ചുമലിൽ വെച്ചു, തന്റെ ജനത്തോട്: ഞാൻ ചെയ്തത് നോക്കി നിങ്ങളും വേഗം അതുപോലെ ചെയ്‌വിൻ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു.
49 ౪౯ అప్పుడు ఆ మనుషులందరూ ప్రతివాడూ ఒక్కొక్క కొమ్మ నరికి అబీమెలెకు చేసినట్టుగానే ఆ కోట దగ్గర వాటిని పేర్చి, వాటితో ఆ కోటను తగలబెట్టారు. అప్పుడు షెకెము గోపుర యజమానులు, వాళ్ళల్లో ఉన్న స్త్రీ పురుషులు ఇంచుమించు వెయ్యిమంది చనిపోయారు.
൪൯ജനമെല്ലാം അതുപോലെ ഓരോരുത്തൻ ഓരോ കൊമ്പ് വെട്ടി അബീമേലെക്കിന്റെ പിന്നാലെ ചെന്ന് മണ്ഡപത്തിന്നരികെ ഇട്ട് തീ കൊടുത്തു, മണ്ഡപത്തോടു കൂടെ അവരെ ചുട്ടുകളഞ്ഞു. അങ്ങനെ ശെഖേംഗോപുരവാസികളൊക്കെയും പുരുഷന്മാരും സ്ത്രീകളുമായി ഏകദേശം ആയിരംപേർ മരിച്ചുപോയി.
൫൦അനന്തരം അബീമേലെക്ക് തേബെസിലേക്ക് ചെന്ന് തേബെസിന് വിരോധമായി പാളയമിറങ്ങി അതിനെ പിടിച്ചു.
51 ౫౧ ఆ పట్టణం మధ్యలో ఒక బలమైన గోపురం ఉంది. స్త్రీ పురుషులు, పట్టణపు యజమానులు, అక్కడికి పారిపోయి తలుపులు వేసుకుని గోపుర శిఖరం మీదకు ఎక్కారు.
൫൧പട്ടണത്തിന്നകത്ത് ഉറപ്പുള്ള ഒരു ഗോപുരം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു; അവിടേക്ക് സകലപുരുഷന്മാരും സ്ത്രീകളും, പട്ടണത്തിലുള്ളവർ ഒക്കെയും ഓടിക്കടന്ന് വാതിൽ അടെച്ച് ഗോപുരത്തിന്റെ മുകളിൽ കയറി.
52 ౫౨ అబీమెలెకు ఆ గోపురం దగ్గరికి వచ్చి దాని మీద యుద్ధం చేసి అగ్నితో దాన్ని కాల్చడానికి ఆ గోపుర ద్వారం దగ్గరికి వచ్చాడు.
൫൨അബീമേലെക്ക് ഗോപുരത്തിന്നരികെ എത്തി അതിനെ ആക്രമിച്ചു; അതിന് തീ കൊടുത്ത് ചുട്ടുകളയേണ്ടതിന് ഗോപുരവാതിലിന്നടുത്ത് ചെന്നു.
൫൩അപ്പോൾ ഒരു സ്ത്രീ തിരികല്ലിന്റെ പിള്ള അബീമേലെക്കിന്റെ തലയിൽ ഇട്ട് അവന്റെ തലയോട് തകർത്തുകളഞ്ഞു.
54 ౫౪ అప్పుడతను తన ఆయుధాలు మోసే సేవకుణ్ణి కంగారుగా పిలిచి “ఒక స్త్రీ నన్ను చంపిందని నన్ను గూర్చి ఎవరూ అనుకోకుండా, నీ కత్తి దూసి నన్ను చంపు” అని చెప్పాడు. ఆ సేవకుడు అతన్ని పొడవగా అతడు చచ్చాడు.
൫൪ഉടനെ അവൻ തന്റെ ആയുധവാഹകനായ ബാല്യക്കാരനെ വിളിച്ച്: ഒരു സ്ത്രീ എന്നെ കൊന്നു എന്ന് പറയാതിരിക്കേണ്ടതിന് നിന്റെ വാൾ ഊരി എന്നെ കൊല്ലുക എന്ന് അവനോട് പറഞ്ഞു. അവന്റെ ബാല്യക്കാരൻ അവനെ കുത്തി, അങ്ങനെ അവൻ മരിച്ചു.
൫൫അബീമേലെക്ക് മരിച്ചുപോയി എന്ന് കണ്ടപ്പോൾ യിസ്രായേല്യർ താന്താങ്ങളുടെ സ്ഥലത്തേക്ക് മടങ്ങിപ്പോയി.
56 ౫౬ ఆ విధంగా అబీమెలెకు తన డెబ్భైమంది సహోదరులను చంపడం వల్ల తన తండ్రికి చేసిన ద్రోహాన్ని దేవుడు మళ్ళీ అతని మీదకి రప్పించాడు.
൫൬അബീമേലെക്ക് തന്റെ എഴുപത് സഹോദരന്മാരെ കൊന്നതിനാൽ തന്റെ അപ്പനോട് ചെയ്ത ദുഷ്ടതയ്ക്ക് ദൈവം ഇങ്ങനെ പകരം നൽകി.
57 ౫౭ షెకెమువాళ్ళు చేసిన ద్రోహం అంతటినీ దేవుడు వాళ్ళ తలల మీదికి మళ్ళీ రప్పించాడు. యెరుబ్బయలు కుమారుడు యోతాము శాపం వాళ్ళ మీదకి వచ్చింది.
൫൭ശെഖേംനിവാസികളുടെ സകല ദുഷ്ടതകൾക്കുമുള്ള അനുഭവം ദൈവം അവർക്ക് തിരികെ നൽകി; അങ്ങനെ യെരുബ്ബാലിന്റെ മകനായ യോഥാമിന്റെ ശാപം അവരുടെ മേൽ വന്നു.
