Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Har dere gått rett fram? Var det beste som kunne skje at dere gjorde Abimelek til konge? Har dere oppført dere rett mot Gideons familie og behandlet ham med den æren han fortjener? Min far kjempet en hard kamp for dere. Han våget sitt liv, og han befridde dere fra Midjan. Som takk har dere reist hjem til min fars familie og drept nesten alle de 70 sønnene hans. De ble henrettet på en og samme plass. Dere har gjort Abimelek, sønn av en slavekvinne, til konge over mennene fra Sikem, fordi han er deres bror.
What Does This Mean?
This verse is Jotham questioning the people of Shechem about their motives for making Abimelech their king. He is checking if they have acted fairly toward Jerubbaal and his family, and if they have treated him as he deserved.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who helped you a lot, but one day, another kid becomes the leader and gets all the rewards. Jotham is asking if that's fair, and if the kids did the right thing by picking the new leader instead of thanking the friend who helped them.
Historical Background
Judges 9 was written by an anonymous author, likely during the time of the Israelite judges, around 1200-1050 BCE. The text was meant for the Israelites to reflect on their choices and the consequences of their actions in leadership.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us to consider fairness and justice when choosing leaders. For example, a school might be considering a new principal. It's important to evaluate if the choice is truly fair and if those who have contributed positively in the past are being recognized.
Jotham is one of Gideon's sons who challenges the people of Shechem about their choice to make Abimelech king.
What is the main point of Jotham's question?
Jotham questions the fairness and sincerity of the people of Shechem in choosing Abimelech as king and neglecting Jerubbaal's contributions.
How does this verse relate to leadership?
The verse highlights the importance of fairness and justice in leadership choices, emphasizing the need to recognize those who have contributed positively.
What can we learn from Judges 9:16 in our daily lives?
We can learn to carefully consider the fairness of our choices, especially when it comes to leadership roles, and to value contributions made by individuals in the community.