Mga Hukom 9
1 Nagpunta si Abimelec na anak ni Jerub Baal sa mga kamag-anak ng kaniyang ina sa Shekem at sinabi niya sa kanila at sa buong angkan ng pamilya ng kaniyang ina,
Gideon’s son Abimelech went to [talk with] his mother’s brothers in Shechem [city]. He said to them and to all his mother’s relatives,
2 “Pakiusap sabihin mo ito, para makarinig ang lahat ng mga pinuno ng Shekem, 'Ano ang mas mabuti para sa inyo: maghari sa inyo ang lahat ng pitumpung anak na lalaki ni Jerub Baal, o isa lang ang maghari sa inyo?' Alalahaning ako ay inyong buto at inyong laman.”
“Ask all the leaders of your city: ‘Do you [think it would be] good for all 70 of Gideon’s sons to rule over you? Or would it be better to have only one of his sons, [me], to rule over you?’ And do not forget that I am your relative! [MTY]”
3 Nagsalita para sa kaniya ang mga kamag-anak ng kaniyang ina sa mga pinuno ng Shekem, at napagkasunduan nilang sundan si Abimelec, dahil sinabi nila, “Kapatid natin siya.”
So Abimelech’s mother’s brothers spoke to all the leaders of Shechem about what Abimelech had said. They said to each other, “We should allow Abimelech to rule over us, because he is our relative.”
4 Binigyan nila siya ng pitumpung piraso ng pilak mula sa bahay ni Baal Berit, at ginamit ito ni Abimelec para kumuha ng mga lalaking lumalabag sa batas at walang pag-iingat na asal, na sumunod sa kaniya.
So the leaders of Shechem took from the temple of [their god] Baal-Berith (almost 2 pounds/0.8 kg.) of silver and gave it to Abimelech. With that silver he paid some worthless troublemakers to help him, and they went with Abimelech wherever he went.
5 Pumunta siya sa bahay ng kaniyang ama sa Ofra at sa isang bato pinatay niya ang pitumpung kapatid niyang lalaki, mga anak na lalaki ni Jerub Baal. Tanging si Jotam ang naiwan, ang pinakabatang anak na lalaki ni Jerub Baal, dahil itinago niya ang kaniyang sarili.
They went to Ophrah, his father’s town, and murdered 69 of his 70 brothers, the sons of his father Gideon. They killed all those men on one huge rock. But Gideon’s youngest son Jotham hid [from Abimelech and his men], and he escaped.
6 Nagsama-samang dumating lahat ng mga pinuno ng Shekem at Betmilo at nagtungo sila at ginawang hari si Abimelec, sa tabi ng kahoy na puno malapit sa haliging nasa Shekem.
Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-Millo gathered under the big sacred tree in Shechem. There they appointed Abimelech to be their leader.
7 Nang sabihan si Jotam tungkol dito, pumunta siya at tumayo sa tuktok ng Bundok Gerizim. Sumigaw siya at sinabi sa kanila, “Makinig kayo sa akin, kayong mga pinuno ng Shekem, para pakinggan kayo ng Diyos.
When Jotham heard about that, he climbed up Gerizim Mountain. He stood at the top of the mountain and shouted to the people [down below], “You leaders of Shechem, listen to me, in order that God will listen to you!
8 Minsang lumabas ang mga puno para magpahid sa isang hari sa ibabaw nila. At sinabi nila sa puno ng olibo, 'Maghari ka sa amin.'
One day the trees decided to appoint a king to rule over all of them. So they said to the olive tree, ‘You be our king!’
9 Pero sinabi ng puno ng olibo sa kanila, 'Dapat ko bang bitawan ang aking langis, na ginagamit para parangalan ang mga diyos at sangkatauhan, para umalis ako pabalik, para lang umuyog sa ibabaw ng ibang mga puno?'
“But the olive tree said, ‘No! [I will not be your king] Men and gods enjoy the oil from my fruit. I will not [RHQ] stop producing [olives from which we make] that oil, in order to rule over you other trees!’
10 Sinabi ng mga puno sa puno ng igos, 'Halika at maghari sa amin.'
“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and be our king!’
11 Pero sinabi ng puno ng igos sa kanila, 'Dapat ko bang bitawan ang aking tamis at aking maayos na bunga, para lang makabalik ako at umuyog sa ibabaw ng ibang mga puno?'
“But the fig tree replied, ‘No! I do not want to [RHQ] stop producing my good sweet fruit, and rule over you other trees!’
12 Sinabi ng mga puno sa puno ng ubas, 'Halika at maghari sa amin.'
“Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and be our king!’
13 Sinabi ng puno ng ubas sa kanila, 'Dapat ko bang bitawan ang aking bagong alak, na nagpapaligaya sa mga diyos at sangkatauhan, at bumalik at umuyog sa ibabaw ng ibang mga puno?'
“But the grapevine replied, ‘No! [I will not be your king] The new wine [that is made from my grapes] causes people and gods [who drink it] to become very happy. I do not want to stop producing grapes and rule over you other trees!’ [RHQ]
14 Pagkatapos sinabi ng lahat ng mga puno sa palumpong na tinik, 'Halika at maghari sa amin.'
“Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king!’
15 Sinabi ng palumpong na tinik sa mga puno, 'Kung tunay na gusto ninyong pahiran ako bilang hari sa inyo, sa gayon pumunta sa akin at maging ligtas sa ilalim ng aking lilim. Kung hindi, hayaang lumabas ang apoy sa palumpong na tinik at hayaan itong sumunog sa mga sedar ng Lebanon.'
“The thornbush replied, ‘If you truly want to appoint me to be your king, come into the shade of my [tiny branches]. But if you do not want to do that, I hope/desire that fire will come out from me and burn up all the huge cedar trees in Lebanon [country]!’”
16 Kaya ngayon, kung kumilos kayo sa katotohanan at katapatan, nang ninyong ginawang hari si Abimelec, at kung nakagawa kayo ng mabuti tungkol kay Jerub Baal at kaniyang bahay, at kung nagparusa kayo sa kaniya ng karapat-dapat—
“[After] Jotham [finished telling them this parable, he] said, “So now [I ask you], were you being completely honest and sincere when you appointed Abimelech to be your king [RHQ]? And have you treated Gideon and his family [RHQ] fairly? Have you rewarded Gideon by honoring him as he deserved [because of all the good things he did for you]? No!
17 —at para isipin na lumaban ang aking ama para sa inyo, ipinagsapalaran ang kaniyang buhay, at iniligtas kayo mula sa kamay ng Midian—
“[Do not forget that] my father fought a battle for you, and he was willing to die for you [if that had been necessary], to save you from the Midian people-group.
18 pero sa araw na ito nag-alsa kayo laban sa bahay ng aking ama at pinatay ang kaniyang mga anak na lalaki, pitumpung tao, sa ibabaw ng isang bato. At ginawa ninyo si Abimelec ang lalaking anak ng kaniyang babaeng lingkod, na hari sa lahat ng mga pinuno ng Shekem, dahil kamag-anak ninyo siya.
But now you have rebelled against my father’s family, and you have killed 69 of his sons on one huge rock. And you have appointed Abimelech—who is the son of my father’s slave girl, [not the son of his wife]—to be the king who will rule you people of Shechem. You have done that only because he is one of your relatives!
19 Kung kumilos kayo ng may katapatan at karangalan kay Jerub Baal at sa kaniyang bahay, dapat kayong magalak kay Abimelec, at hayaan siyang magalak din sa inyo.
So, if today you have truly acted fairly and sincerely toward Gideon and his family, I hope/desire that he will cause you to be happy and that you will cause him to be happy.
20 Pero kung hindi, hayaan na lumabas ang apoy mula kay Abimelec at sunugin ang mga kalalakihan ng Shekem at bahay ng Millo. Hayaang lumabas ang apoy mula sa mga kalalakihan ng Shekem at Bet Millo, para sumunod kay Abimelec.”
But if what you did was not right, I wish/desire that Abimelech will burn up all of you leaders of Shechem and Beth-Millo with fire! And I also hope/desire that the leaders of Shechem and Beth-Millo will cause fire to burn up Abimelech!”
21 Tumakas si Jotam at tumakbo palayo, At nagtungo siya sa Beer. Nanirahan siya doon dahil malayo iyon mula kay Abimelec, na kaniyang kapatid.
[After] Jotham [finished saying that, he] escaped from them and ran away to Beer [town]. He stayed there because he was afraid that his brother Abimelech [would try to kill him].
22 Namuno si Abimelec sa buong Israel sa loob ng tatlong taon.
Abimelech [became the leader of all the people of Israel. He] ruled them for three years.
23 Nagpadala ang Diyos ng masamang espiritu sa pagitan ni Abimelec at mga pinuno ng Shekem. Pinagtaksilan ng mga pinuno ng Sechem ang tiwalang mayroon sila kay Abimelec.
Then God sent an evil spirit [to cause trouble] between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, with the result that the leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech.
24 Ginawa ito ng Diyos para mapaghigantihan ang karahasan na nagawa sa pitumpung anak na lalaki ni Jerub Baal, at si Abimelec ang managot sa pagpatay sa kanila, at managot ang mga kalalakihan ng Shekem dahil tinulungan nilang patayin ang kaniyang mga kapatid na lalaki.
The leaders of Shechem had previously helped Abimelech to kill 69 of Gideon’s sons, who were his brothers. So now God sent the evil spirit to punish all of them.
25 Kaya nagtalaga ang mga pinuno ng Shekem ng mga kalalakihan na mag-aabang sa mga tuktok ng mga burol para tambangan nila siya, at ninakawan nila lahat ng dumaan sa kanila sa tabi ng daan. Ibinalita ito kay Abimelec.
The leaders of Shechem (set an ambush/sent men to hide) on the hilltops to ambush Abimelech. Those men robbed everyone who passed by. But someone told Abimelech about it, [so he did not go near them].
26 Dumating si Gaal anak na lalaki ni Ebed kasama ng kaniyang mga kamag anak at pumunta sila sa Shekem. Nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob ang mga pinuno ng Shekem sa kaniya.
There was a man named Gaal, the son of Ebed, who moved into Shechem [city], along with his brothers. Soon the leaders of Shechem started to trust him.
27 Lumabas sila sa bukirin at nagtipon ng mga ubas mula sa mga ubasan, at tumapak sa mga ito. Nagdaos sila ng pagdiriwang sa bahay ng kanilang diyos, kung saan kumain sila at uminom, at isinumpa nila si Abimelec.
They went out [of the city] to their vineyards and picked some grapes. They pressed the grapes [to make juice, and then they made wine]. Then they had a feast in the temple of their god, and they ate [a lot of food] and drank [a lot of wine]. Then they cursed Abimelech.
28 Si Gaal anak ni Ebed ay nagsabing, “Sino si Abimelec, at sino si Shekem, na dapat natin siyang paglingkuran? hindi ba siya ang anak ni Jerub Baal? At hindi ba opisyal niya si Zebul? Paglingkuran ang mga kalalakihan ng Hamor, ama ng Shekem! Bakit kailangan natin siyang paglingkuran?
Gaal said, “(Why should [we allow] Abimelech to rule over us?/We should not allow Abimelech to rule over us!) [RHQ] He is only one of Gideon’s sons [so he really does not belong to us] [RHQ]! And he appointed Zebul, the governor of our city, to be his deputy! We should (serve/be loyal to) [one of the descendants of] Hamor, [the founder of our city], and let him be our leader, not Abimelech [RHQ]!
29 Hiling kong ang mga taong ito ay nasa ilalim ng aking kautusan! Pagkatapos aalisin ko si Abimelec. Sasabihin ko kay Abimelec, 'Tawagin mo ang lahat ng iyong mga hukbo.'''
If you would appoint me to be your leader, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, ‘Get your army ready, [and then come to fight us]!’”
30 Nang marinig ni Zebul, opisyales ng lungsod, ang mga salita ni Gaal anak ni Ebed ang kaniyang galit ay nag-alab.
When someone told Zebul what Gaal said, he was very angry.
31 Nagpadala siya ng mga mensahero kay Abimelec para manlinlang, sa pagsasabing, “Tingnan, parating sa Shekem si Gaal anak ni Ebed at kaniyang mga kamag-anak, at pinupukaw ang lungsod laban sa iyo.
He secretly sent some messengers to Abimelech. They told him, “Gaal and his brothers have come here to Shechem, and they are causing [the people of] the city to rebel against you.
32 Ngayon, tumayo ka sa gabi, ikaw at ang mga sundalong kasama mo, at maghanda ng isang pananambang sa mga bukirin.
You and your men should get up during the night and go and hide in the fields outside the city.
33 Pagkatapos sa umaga, sa sandaling sumikat ang araw, bumangon ng maaga at maglunsad ng isang pagsalakay sa lungsod. At kapag siya at ang mga taong kasama niya ay lumabas laban sa iyo, gawin ang anumang bagay na magagawa mo sa kanila.”
As soon as the sun rises in the morning, get up and attack the city. When Gaal and his men come out to fight against you, you can do to them whatever you want to.”
34 Kaya tumayo si Abimelec sa gabi, siya at lahat ng kalalakihan na kasama niya, at naglunsad sila ng pananambang laban sa Shekem—hinati sa apat na pangkat.
So Abimelech and all the men who were with him got up during the night. They [divided into] four groups, [and] hid [in the fields] near Shechem.
35 Lumabas si Gaal anak ni Ebed at tumayo sa pasukan ng tarangkahan ng lungsod. Lumabas sa kanilang pinagtataguan sina Abimelec at mga kalalakihang kasama niya.
[The next morning], Gaal went out and stood at the entrance to the city gate. While he was standing there, Abimelech and his soldiers came out of their hiding places [and started walking toward the city].
36 Nang makita ni Gaal ang mga kalalakihan, sinabi niya kay Zebul, “Tingnan, bumababa ang mga kalalakihan mula sa tuktok ng mga burol!” Sinabi ni Zebul sa kaniya, “Nakikita mo ang mga anino sa mga burol na para bang sila ay mga lalaki.”
When Gaal saw the soldiers, he said to Zebul, “Look! There are people coming down from the hills!” But Zebul said, “You are seeing only the shadows [of trees] on the hills. They [are not people; they] only resemble people.”
37 Nagsalita ulit si Gaal at sinabing, “Tingnan mo, bumababa ang mga lalaki sa gitna ng lupain, at ang isang pangkat ay padating sa daan ng kahoy ng mga manghuhula.”
But Gaal [looked] again [and] said, “Look! There are people coming down from the top of the sacred mountain! There is a group of them coming down from where the tree is where people talk with the spirits of dead people!”
38 Pagkatapos sinabi ni Zebul sa kaniya, “Nasaan na ang iyong mapagmalaking mga salita ngayon, ikaw na nagsabing, 'Sino si Abimelec na dapat namin paglingkuran?' Hindi ba ito ang mga lalaking kinamumuhian mo? Lumabas ka ngayon at makipaglaban sa kanila.”
Zebul said to Gaal, “Now (what good is your bragging?/your bragging is worthless!) [MTY, RHQ] You said, ‘(Why should we serve Abimelech/We should not allow Abimelech to rule over us)?’ You made fun of these men. So now go out and fight them!”
39 Lumabas si Gaal at pinangungunahan niya ang mga lalaki ng Shekem, at nakipag-away siya kay Abimelec.
So Gaal led the men of Shechem outside [the city] to fight Abimelech [and his men].
40 Hinabol siya ni Abimelec, at tumakas si Gaal sa kaniya. At marami ang bumagsak sa pasukan ng tarangkahan ng lungsod.
Abimelech and his men pursued them, and they killed many of Gaal’s men before they could return [safely] inside the city gate.
41 Nanatili si Abimelec sa Aruma. Pinilit ni Zebul si Gaal at kaniyang mga kamag-anak palabas ng Shekem.
Abimelech then stayed at Arumah, [about five miles away from Shechem], and Zebul’s men forced Gaal and his brothers to leave Shechem.
42 Sa sumunod na araw lumabas ang mga tao ng Shekem sa kabukiran, at ibinalita ito kay Abimelec.
The next day, the people of Shechem [got ready to leave the city and work] in their fields. When someone told Abimelech about that,
43 Dinala niya ang kaniyang mga tao, inihanay sila sa tatlong mga pangkat, at naglagay sila ng pananambang sa bukirin. Tumingin siya at nakitang parating ang mga tao mula sa lungsod. At sinalakay niya sila at pinatay sila.
he divided his men into three groups, and told them to hide in the fields. So they did that. And when they saw the people coming out of the city, they jumped up and attacked them.
44 Sumalakay sina Abimelec at ang mga pangkat na kasama niya at hinarang ang pasukan ng tarangkahan ng lungsod. Sumalakay ang iba pang dalawang mga pangkat sa lahat ng nasa bukirin at pinatay sila.
Abimelech and the men who were with him ran to the city gate. The other two groups ran out to the people in the fields and attacked them.
45 Lumaban si Abimelec sa lungsod sa buong araw na iyon. Binihag ang lungsod, at pinatay ang mga tao na naroon. Giniba niya ang mga pader ng lungsod at nagkalat ng asin sa ibabaw nito.
Abimelech and his men fought all day. They captured the city and killed all the people. They tore down all the buildings, and then they threw salt over the ruins [in order that nothing would grow there again].
46 Nang marinig ng lahat ng mga pinuno ng tore ng Shekem iyon, pumasok sila sa matibay na tanggulan ng bahay ng El Berit.
When the leaders who lived in the tower/fortress outside of Shechem heard what had happened, they ran and hid inside the [fortress, which was also a] temple of [their god] El-Berith.
47 Sinabihan si Abimelec na magkakasamang nagtipon ang lahat ng mga pinuno sa tore ng Shekem.
But someone told Abimelech that all the leaders had gathered there.
48 Umakyat si Abimelec sa Bundok ng Zalmon, siya at lahat ng lalaking kasama niya. Kumuha si Abimelec ng palakol at pumutol ng mga sanga. Inilagay niya ito sa kaniyang balikat at inutusan ang mga lalaking kasama niya, “Kung ano ang nakita ninyong ginagawa ko, bilisan at gawin gaya ng ginawa ko.”
So he and all the men who were with him went up Zalmon Mountain [which is near Shechem]. Abimelech cut some branches of trees with an axe, and put them on his shoulders. Then he said to all the men who were with him, “Quickly, do what I have just done!”
49 Kaya nagputol ang bawat isa ng mga sanga at sinunod si Abimelec. Pinagpatong-patong nila sa ibabaw ng pader ng tore, at niliyaban nila ito, paramamatay din ang mga tao ng tore ng Shekem, humigit-kumulang sa isang libong lalaki at babae.
So his men all cut branches [then carried them down the mountain], following Abimelech. They went to the fortress and piled the branches against its walls. Then they kindled a fire, and the fire burned down the fortress and killed all the people who were inside. So all the people who were inside the fortress—about 1,000 men and women—died.
50 Pagkatapos nagtungo si Abimelec sa Tebez, at nagkampo siya laban sa Tebez at binihag ito.
Then Abimelech and his men went to Thebes [city]. They surrounded it and captured it.
51 Pero may matibay na tore sa lungsod, at lahat ng mga lalaki at mga babae at lahat ng mga pinuno ng lungsod ay tumakas papunta roon at ikinulong ang kanilang sarili. Pagkatapos umakyat sila sa bubong ng tore.
But there was a strong tower inside the city. So all the men, women, and leaders of the city ran to the tower. When they were all inside, they locked the door. Then they climbed up to the roof of the tower.
52 Dumating si Abimelec sa tore at nakipaglaban dito, at umakyat siya malapit sa pinto ng tore para sunugin ito.
Abimelech and his men came to the tower and tried to get in the door, [but they could not]. Then Abimelech prepared to light a fire to burn down the door.
53 Pero isang babae ang naghulog ng batong pang-giling sa ulo ni Abimelec at nabiyak nito ang kaniyang bungo.
But when Abimelech came near the doorway, a woman [who was on the roof] dropped a big grinding stone on his head, and crushed his skull.
54 Pagkatapos madalian siyang tumawag sa batang lalaking taga-dala ng kaniyang baluti, at sinabi sa kaniya, “Ilabas mo ang iyong espada at patayin ako, para walang magsalita tungkol sa akin na, 'Isang babae ang pumatay sa kaniya.”' Kaya sinaksak siya ng kaniyang batang lalaki, at namatay siya.
Abimelech quickly called to the young man who carried Abimelech’s weapons, and said, “Pull out your sword and kill me with it! I do not want people to say ‘It was a woman who killed Abimelech.’” So the young man thrust his sword into Abimelech, and Abimelech died.
55 Nang makita ng mga kalalakihan ng Israel na patay na si Abimelec, umuwi na sila.
When the Israeli soldiers saw that Abimelech was dead, they all returned to their homes.
56 At sa ganun napaghigantihan ng Diyos ang kasamaan ni Abimelec na ginawa niya sa kaniyang ama sa pamamagitan ng pagpatay sa kaniyang pitumpung kapatid na lalaki.
In that way God punished Abimelech for the evil things that he had done to his father and especially for killing all 69 of his brothers.
57 Ibinalik ng Diyos ang lahat ng kasamaan ng mga tao ng Shekem sa kanilang sarili at dumating sa kanila ang sumpa ni Jotam anak na lalaki ni Jerub Baal.
God also punished the men of Shechem for the evil things that they had done. And when those things happened, it fulfilled what Gideon’s son Jotham said when he cursed [Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem].
