Judges 9:25

9:25 The leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech by putting 1  bandits in 2  the hills, who robbed everyone who traveled by on the road. But Abimelech found out about it. 3 

Judges 10:10

10:10 The Israelites cried out for help to the Lord: “We have sinned against you. We abandoned our God and worshiped 4  the Baals.”

Judges 11:10

11:10 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will judge any grievance you have against us, 5  if we do not do as you say.” 6 

Judges 20:18

20:18 The Israelites went up to Bethel 7  and asked God, 8  “Who should lead the charge against the Benjaminites?” 9  The Lord said, “Judah should lead.”

1 tn Heb “set against him bandits.”

sn Putting bandits in the hills. This piracy certainly interrupted or discouraged trade, and probably deprived Abimelech of tariffs or tribute. See C. F. Burney, Judges, 277; G. F. Moore, Judges (ICC), 253.

2 tn Heb “on the tops of.”

3 tn Heb “It was told to Abimelech.”

4 tn Or “served”; or “followed.”

5 tn Heb “The Lord will be the one who hears between us.” For the idiom שָׁמַע בַּיִן (shama’ bayin, “to hear between”), see Deut 1:16.

6 sn The Lord will judge…if we do not do as you say. The statement by the leaders of Gilead takes the form of a legally binding oath, which obligates them to the terms of the agreement.

7 map For location see Map4-G4; Map5-C1; Map6-E3; Map7-D1; Map8-G3.

8 tn Heb “They arose and went up to Bethel and asked God, and the Israelites said.”

9 tn Heb “Who should go up for us first for battle against the sons of Benjamin?”