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So Abimelech's armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-54.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/07_Jdg_09_54.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:54 - Abimelech's Punishment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, 'A woman killed him.' So Abimelech's armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/9-54.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/9-54.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 54</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/9-53.htm" title="Judges 9:53">◄</a> Judges 9:54 <a href="/judges/9-55.htm" title="Judges 9:55">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, &#8220Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can&#8217t say, &#8216A woman killed him.&#8217&#8221 So his servant ran him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He quickly said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!” So the young man ran him through with his sword, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, &#8220Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, &#8216A woman slew him.&#8217&#8221 So the young man pierced him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest it be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then he called quickly to the young man who was his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, or they’ll say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, &#8220Draw your sword and kill me, or they&#8217ll say about me, &#8216A woman killed him.&#8217&#8221 So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The soldier who carried his weapons was nearby, and Abimelech told him, "Take out your sword and kill me. I don't want people to say that I was killed by a woman!" So the soldier ran his sword through Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He quickly called his armorbearer. He told him, "Take your sword and kill me! I don't want anyone to say, 'A woman killed Abimelech.' " His armorbearer did as he said, so Abimelech died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he quickly called the young man who was carrying his weapons and told him, "Draw your sword and kill me. I don't want it said that a woman killed me." So the young man ran him through, and he died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So he cried out to his young armor bearer and ordered him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me that 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man pierced him through, and he died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, ?Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ?A woman killed him.?? So Abimelech?s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons, "Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say, 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man stabbed him and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then he called quickly 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.'" So the young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he calls quickly to the young man carrying his weapons and says to him, “Draw your sword, and you have put me to death, lest they say of me—A woman slew him”; and his young man pierced him through, and he dies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he calleth hastily unto the young man bearing his weapons, and saith to him, 'Draw thy sword, and thou hast put me to death, lest they say of me -- A woman slew him;' and his young man pierced him through, and he dieth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will call quickly to the youth lifting up his weapons, and he will say to him, Draw thy sword and put me to death, lest they shall say of me, A woman killed him. And his youth will thrust him through and he will die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he called hastily to his armourbearer, and said to him: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest it should be said that I was slain by a woman. He did as he was commanded, and slew him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He immediately called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death so they will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his attendant ran him through and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Immediately he called to the young man who carried his armor and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man thrust him through, and he died.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then he called hastily to his young armorbearer, and said to him, Draw your sword and slay me with it, that men may not say of me, A woman slew him. So the young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he called hastily the boy bearing his weapons and said to him: “Draw out your sword and kill me with it, that they will not say of me, ‘A woman killed him’” and the young man pierced him through, and he died<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him: 'Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me: A woman slew him.' And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he cried out quickly to the young man his armour-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, lest at any time they should say, A woman slew him: and his young man thrust him through and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-54.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3146" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Abimelech's Punishment</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">53</span>But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. <span class="reftext">54</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4120.htm" title="4120: mə·hê·rāh (Adv) -- Haste, speed. Feminine of maher; properly, a hurry; hence promptly.">He quickly</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·na·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">called</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nō·śê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">his armor-bearer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: ḵê·lāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8025.htm" title="8025: šə·lōp̄ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To draw out or off. A primitive root; to pull out, up or off.">“Draw</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">your sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ū·mō·wṯ·ṯê·nî (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and kill me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they say</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">of me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">‘A woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: hă·rā·ḡā·ṯə·hū (V-Qal-Perf-3fs:: 3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">killed him.’”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1856.htm" title="1856: way·yiḏ·qə·rê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To pierce, pierce through. A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile.">So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ă·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: way·yā·mōṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and he died.</a> </span><span class="reftext">55</span>And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm">2 Samuel 1:9-10</a></span><br />Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ / So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-4.htm">1 Chronicles 10:4</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">2 Samuel 17:23</a></span><br />When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-18.htm">1 Kings 16:18</a></span><br />When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-5.htm">Matthew 27:5</a></span><br />So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-18.htm">Acts 1:18</a></span><br />(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-27.htm">2 Kings 9:27</a></span><br />When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/1-13.htm">2 Kings 1:13-14</a></span><br />So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight. / Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14-16</a></span><br />So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-13.htm">1 Samuel 14:13</a></span><br />So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">1 Samuel 31:5</a></span><br />When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-17.htm">2 Samuel 23:17</a></span><br />saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-25.htm">1 Kings 2:25</a></span><br />So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-34.htm">1 Kings 2:34</a></span><br />So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, Draw your sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.</p><p class="hdg">draw thy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4,5</a></b></br> Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it… </p><p class="hdg">and his young man.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ephesians/6-13.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-39.htm">Armorbearer</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-39.htm">Armor-Bearer</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-39.htm">Armourbearer</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-18.htm">Bearer</a> <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/judges/9-49.htm">Died</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/judges/2-23.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/exodus/10-16.htm">Hurriedly</a> <a href="/judges/9-24.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/judges/2-23.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/judges/9-24.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/9-40.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/9-41.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Women</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-1.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Armorbearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Armor-Bearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Armourbearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Bearer</a> <a href="/judges/18-23.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/judges/10-1.htm">Died</a> <a href="/judges/19-13.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Hastily</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Hurriedly</a> <a href="/judges/13-23.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-24.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/judges/13-10.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/18-27.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/judges/11-2.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/judges/11-40.htm">Women</a> <a href="/judges/10-4.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">56. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying,</b><br>In ancient warfare, an armor-bearer was a trusted aide responsible for carrying and maintaining a warrior's weapons and armor. This role required loyalty and bravery, as the armor-bearer often accompanied the warrior into battle. The urgency in Abimelech's call reflects the dire situation he faced after being mortally wounded by a millstone dropped by a woman. This moment highlights the importance of honor and reputation in ancient Near Eastern culture, where dying at the hands of a woman could be seen as shameful.<p><b>“Draw your sword and kill me,</b><br>Abimelech's request to his armor-bearer to kill him underscores the significance of an honorable death in the cultural context of the time. In the ancient world, dying by one's own hand or by a trusted companion was often preferred to capture or a death perceived as dishonorable. This reflects a broader biblical theme where individuals seek to control the circumstances of their death to preserve their legacy, as seen in the actions of Saul in <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4</a>.<p><b>lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’”</b><br>The concern over being killed by a woman highlights the patriarchal values of the time, where such a death could be seen as a disgrace. This reflects the cultural norms and gender roles prevalent in the ancient Near East. The fear of shame and dishonor was a powerful motivator, influencing decisions even in the face of death. This incident also serves as a narrative device to emphasize the downfall of Abimelech, whose ambition and treachery led to his ignoble end.<p><b>So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him,</b><br>The armor-bearer's compliance with Abimelech's request demonstrates the loyalty expected in such a relationship. This act of assisted death is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where individuals sought to avoid disgrace or capture, such as Saul and his armor-bearer. The armor-bearer's action fulfills Abimelech's desire to avoid the shame of being killed by a woman, though it does not ultimately change the narrative of his demise.<p><b>and he died.</b><br>Abimelech's death marks the end of his violent and illegitimate rule, which began with the murder of his seventy brothers. His demise serves as a divine retribution for his actions, fulfilling Jotham's curse in <a href="/judges/9-20.htm">Judges 9:20</a>. This conclusion reinforces the biblical theme of justice and the consequences of sin, as Abimelech's ambition and treachery lead to his downfall. His death also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the pursuit of personal ambition at the expense of righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and Israel. His ambition and ruthless actions led to his downfall.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/armor-bearer.htm">Armor-bearer</a></b><br>A young man who served Abimelech by carrying his armor. He was ordered by Abimelech to kill him to avoid the shame of being killed by a woman.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_woman.htm">The Woman</a></b><br>An unnamed woman who dropped a millstone from a tower, fatally wounding Abimelech. Her action was pivotal in fulfilling the prophecy of Abimelech's demise.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A significant city in Israel where Abimelech declared himself king. It became a central location for the events leading to his rise and fall.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tower_of_thebez.htm">The Tower of Thebez</a></b><br>The location where Abimelech met his end. The people of Thebez had taken refuge there, and it was from this tower that the woman dropped the millstone.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_pride_and_ambition.htm">The Consequences of Pride and Ambition</a></b><br>Abimelech's account is a stark reminder of how unchecked ambition and pride can lead to one's destruction. His desire to be king at any cost resulted in his violent end.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice_and_sovereignty.htm">Divine Justice and Sovereignty</a></b><br>God's justice is evident in the account, as Abimelech's actions are repaid in kind. This serves as a reminder that God is sovereign and will bring about justice in His timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_unlikely_instruments_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Unlikely Instruments in God's Plan</a></b><br>The unnamed woman who killed Abimelech demonstrates how God can use unexpected people and means to accomplish His purposes. This encourages believers to remain humble and open to being used by God in any capacity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility_and_repentance.htm">The Importance of Humility and Repentance</a></b><br>Abimelech's refusal to repent and humble himself before God led to his downfall. Believers are called to live lives marked by humility and a willingness to turn from sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_suicide.htm">What does the Bible say about suicide?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_gain_wisdom_from_god.htm">What does the Bible say about suicide?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_send_an_evil_spirit_in_judges_9_23.htm">Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_opposition_to_abimelech's_act.htm">How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(54) A woman slew him.--He did not, however, escape the taunt (<a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm" title="Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went you near the wall? then say you, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.">2Samuel 11:21</a>). We see also from the narrative of the death of Saul in <a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm" title="He said to me again, Stand, I pray you, on me, and slay me: for anguish is come on me, because my life is yet whole in me.">2Samuel 1:9</a>, <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm" title="Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell on it.">1Samuel 31:4</a>, how sensitive the ancients were about the manner of their death. The same feeling finds ample illustration in Homer and classic writers (Soph. <span class= "ital">Trach., </span>1,064). It was a similar feeling which made Deborah exult in the death of Sisera by the hand of a woman, and the Jews in the murder of Holofernes by Judith. It is remarkable that <span class= "ital">both </span>of the first two Israelite kings die by suicide to avoid a death of greater shame.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 54.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">His armour-bearer</span> - an office of trust, entailing much intimacy. Saul loved David greatly, and he became his armor-bearer (<a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">1 Samuel 16:21</a>). Compare the similar incident of Saul and his armour-bearer in <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4-6</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-54.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He quickly</span><br /><span class="heb">מְהֵרָ֜ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·hê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4120.htm">Strong's 4120: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hurry, promptly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">called</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֨א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his armor-bearer,</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹשֵׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(nō·śê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Draw</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹ֤ף</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8025.htm">Strong's 8025: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull out, up, off</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבְּךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·bə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and kill me,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mō·wṯ·ṯê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they say</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹ֥אמְרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘A woman</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">killed him.’”</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hă·rā·ḡā·ṯə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran [his sword] through him,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḏ·qə·rê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1856.htm">Strong's 1856: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stab, to starve, to revile</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he died.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּמֹֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·mōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-54.htm">OT History: Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-53.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:53"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:53" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-55.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:55"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:55" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>