Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them. New Living Translation he divided his men into three groups and set an ambush in the fields. When Abimelech saw the people coming out of the city, he and his men jumped up from their hiding places and attacked them. English Standard Version He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and killed them. Berean Standard Bible So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. Berean Literal Bible And he took the people and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the field, and he looked, and behold, the people were coming out of the city; and he rose up against them and attacked them. King James Bible And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. New King James Version So he took his people, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people, coming out of the city; and he rose against them and attacked them. New American Standard Bible So he took his people and divided them into three units, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and saw the people coming out from the city, he attacked them and killed them. NASB 1995 So he took his people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and slew them. NASB 1977 So he took his people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and slew them. Legacy Standard Bible So he took his people and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the field; then he looked, and behold, the people were coming out from the city. So he arose against them and struck them down. Amplified Bible So he took his people and divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the field; and he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. And he rose up against them and struck them down. Berean Annotated Bible So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. Christian Standard Bible He took the troops, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the countryside. He looked, and the people were coming out of the city, so he arose against them and struck them down. Holman Christian Standard Bible He took the people, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the countryside. He looked, and the people were coming out of the city, so he arose against them and struck them down. American Standard Version And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. Contemporary English Version Abimelech divided his army into three groups and set up an ambush in the fields near Shechem. When the people came out of the town, he and his army rushed out from their hiding places and attacked. English Revised Version And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. GOD'S WORD® Translation So he took his troops, divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the fields. He watched and saw the people coming out of the city. Then he began to attack them. Good News Translation so he took his men, divided them into three groups, and hid in the fields, waiting. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he came out of hiding to kill them. International Standard Version So he took his army, divided it into three separate companies, and laid in ambush out in the field. When Abimelech noticed the people coming out from the city, his army attacked them and killed them. NET Bible he took his men and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he attacked and struck them down. New Heart English Bible He took the people, and divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the field; and he looked, and look, the people came forth out of the city. He rose up against them, and struck them. Webster's Bible Translation And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and behold, the people had come out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he takes the people, and divides them into three detachments, and lays wait in a field, and looks, and behold, the people are coming out from the city, and he rises against them, and strikes them. Berean Literal Bible And he took the people and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the field, and he looked, and behold, the people were coming out of the city; and he rose up against them and attacked them. Young's Literal Translation and he taketh the people, and divideth them into three detachments, and layeth wait in a field, and looketh, and lo, the people are coming out from the city, and he riseth against them, and smiteth them. Smith's Literal Translation And he will take the people and will divide them into three heads, and he will lie in wait in the field, and he will see, and behold, the people will come forth from the city, and he will rise up against them and smite them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and laid ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people came out of the city, he arose and set upon them, Catholic Public Domain Version he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them, New American Bible He divided the troops he had into three companies, and set up an ambush in the fields. He watched until he saw the army leave the city and then went on the attack against them. New Revised Standard Version he took his troops and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he looked and saw the people coming out of the city, he rose against them and killed them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he took the people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields, and he looked, and, behold, the people were coming forth out of the city; and he rose up against them and slew them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he took the people and divided them to three divisions, and they lay wait in the wilderness, and he looked and, behold, the people went out from the city, and he arose against them and he killed them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people were coming forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and formed an ambush in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people went forth out of the city, and he rose up against them, and smote them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Shechem…42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech. 43So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. 44Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.… Cross References So he took his men 1 Samuel 30:9 So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind 1 Samuel 27:2 So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. divided them into three companies Judges 7:16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. 1 Samuel 11:11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together. and lay in wait in the fields Joshua 8:12 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. Judges 20:33 So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah. When he saw the people coming out of the city Joshua 8:17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. Joshua 8:16 Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. he rose up against them Joshua 8:19 and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. Judges 20:37 The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. and attacked them Joshua 10:10 And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 1 Samuel 7:11 Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car. 2 Samuel 15:10-12 Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” / Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. / While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. 2 Kings 9:14-20 Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, / but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.” / Then Jehu got into his chariot and went to Jezreel, because Joram was laid up there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him. … 1 Samuel 22:6-8 Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him. / Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds? / Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.” 2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. Treasury of Scripture And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. Jump to Previous Bands City Companies Detachments Divided Divideth Laid Rose Secretly Separating Slew Smote Struck Three Wait WaitingJump to Next Bands City Companies Detachments Divided Divideth Laid Rose Secretly Separating Slew Smote Struck Three Wait WaitingJudges 9 1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin 22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him 30. Zebul reveals it 34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt 46. He burns the hold of the god Berith 50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone 56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled. So he took his men This phrase refers to Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who had declared himself king after the death of his father. Abimelech's leadership is marked by ambition and violence, contrasting with the judges who were divinely appointed. His men were likely mercenaries or loyalists, reflecting the tribal and fragmented nature of Israel during this period. divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the fields When he saw the people coming out of the city he rose up against them and attacked them Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and its surrounding areas. His ambition and ruthlessness are central to this account. 2. Shechem An ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim, significant in Israel's history. It was a place of covenant renewal and later became a site of conflict under Abimelech's rule. 3. The Ambush Abimelech's strategic military maneuver to attack the people of Shechem. This event highlights his cunning and willingness to use deceit to achieve his goals. 4. The Three Companies Abimelech's division of his forces into three groups to effectively carry out the ambush. This tactic is reminiscent of Gideon's strategy against the Midianites. 5. The People of Shechem The inhabitants of the city who initially supported Abimelech but later turned against him, leading to this conflict. Teaching Points The Dangers of AmbitionAbimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power at any cost. Believers are encouraged to seek God's will rather than personal gain. Strategic Planning vs. Divine Guidance While strategic planning is valuable, it should not replace seeking God's guidance. Abimelech's reliance on human tactics contrasts with Gideon's reliance on God. The Consequences of Betrayal Abimelech's betrayal of Shechem and their subsequent betrayal of him illustrate the destructive cycle of treachery. Christians are called to integrity and faithfulness. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite human schemes, God's purposes prevail. Abimelech's account reminds us that God is ultimately in control, even when human actions seem dominant. The Importance of Community Loyalty The conflict between Abimelech and Shechem underscores the importance of loyalty and unity within a community of believers. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 9:43?2. How does Judges 9:43 illustrate the consequences of Abimelech's leadership choices? 3. What strategies did Abimelech use, and how can they inform our spiritual battles? 4. How does Judges 9:43 connect with Proverbs 16:18 about pride and downfall? 5. What lessons from Abimelech's actions can guide our decision-making today? 6. How can we ensure our plans align with God's will, unlike Abimelech's? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 9:43? 8. How does Judges 9:43 reflect the theme of divine justice? 9. What is the significance of ambush tactics in Judges 9:43? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9? 11. Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible? 12. Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)? 13. Can the seemingly miraculous death by millstone be reconciled with historical or scientific explanations (Judges 9:53)? 14. What is the significance of the Tribe of Naphtali? What Does Judges 9:43 Mean So he took his men• Abimelech personally gathers the fighting force that has remained loyal after his violent rise to power (Judges 9:1-6). • Scripture presents this as a decisive act; the leader himself steps forward, reminding us of earlier judges who led from the front (Judges 4:10; 7:19). • The phrase underscores accountability: the one who schemes will also bear responsibility for the outcome (Galatians 6:7). Divided them into three companies • Abimelech imitates the military strategy once used righteously by his father Gideon (Judges 7:16), but he wields it for self-promotion and vengeance rather than for Israel’s deliverance. • Three companies create surprise from multiple angles, echoing Joshua’s ambush at Ai (Joshua 8:2-4). • The detail affirms that God’s Word records precise tactics—real history, not legend. Lay in wait in the fields • An open field provides cover yet proximity to Shechem’s gates, paralleling earlier Israelite ambushes (Judges 20:29; Joshua 8:9). • Patience in waiting reveals calculated intent; this is premeditated violence, contrasting sharply with God-directed battles that defend His people (2 Samuel 5:23-24). • The verse reminds us that evil often hides until an opportune moment (Luke 22:6). When he saw the people coming out of the city • The residents of Shechem leave the safety of walls to work their vineyards (Judges 9:27). • Abimelech seizes on everyday routines, illustrating how sin strikes when people feel secure (1 Thessalonians 5:3). • Scripture’s accuracy in mundane details reinforces the truth that God observes every circumstance (Proverbs 15:3). He rose up against them • “Rose up” signals the sudden shift from hiding to open assault, mirroring earlier ambush language (Judges 20:34, 37). • The action fulfills Jotham’s curse that fire would come from Abimelech against Shechem (Judges 9:20), demonstrating God’s just oversight even through human wickedness (Psalm 76:10). And attacked them • The attack is swift and devastating, leading to the wholesale destruction described in the following verses (Judges 9:44-49). • What began as political maneuvering ends in bloodshed, showing the inevitable harvest of violence (Matthew 26:52). • The narrative warns believers against pursuing power by worldly means, because God ultimately judges every deed (Ecclesiastes 12:14). summary Judges 9:43 records a real, calculated military ambush by Abimelech against the citizens of Shechem. Each clause reveals deliberate planning, opportunistic timing, and ruthless execution—fulfilling God’s earlier warning that Abimelech’s reign would bring fire on those who supported his unrighteous rise. The verse teaches that human schemes, however well planned, cannot escape divine justice, and it reminds God’s people to trust His righteous ways rather than worldly strategies for power. (43) Into three companies.--Why he only made three companies this time can only be matter of conjecture.He rose up against them, and smote them.--He was evidently a man of ruthlessly vindictive temperament, for these people whom he slew were mere husbandmen, not an armed host. Hebrew So he tookוַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take his men, הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock divided וַֽיֶּחֱצֵם֙ (way·ye·ḥĕ·ṣêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2673: To cut, split in two, to halve them into three לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (liš·lō·šāh) Preposition-l | Number - masculine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice companies, רָאשִׁ֔ים (rā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7218: The head and waited in ambush וַיֶּאֱרֹ֖ב (way·ye·’ĕ·rōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 693: To lie in wait in the fields. בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land When he saw וַיַּ֗רְא (way·yar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see the people הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock coming out יֹצֵ֣א (yō·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim of מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the city, הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement he rose up וַיָּ֥קָם (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand against them עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against and attacked them. וַיַּכֵּֽם׃ (way·yak·kêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5221: To strike Links Judges 9:43 NIVJudges 9:43 NLT Judges 9:43 ESV Judges 9:43 NASB Judges 9:43 KJV Judges 9:43 BibleApps.com Judges 9:43 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:43 Chinese Bible Judges 9:43 French Bible Judges 9:43 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:43 He took the people and divided them (Jd Judg. 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