Definition: And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he [is] your brother;)

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 9:18. It's a really dramatic and important passage about a conflict and a shift in power. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: A Problem Starts: The story begins with a dispute between two families in Shechem – a place that was once a prosperous city. This disagreement escalates into a violent war. Judges Rises Up: A man named Judges rises up to resolve the conflict, and he’s essentially leading a rebellion against the original owners of Shechem. The Slaughter: He orders the systematic destruction of all the sons of the original owners – a huge number: three hundred and ten. They are systematically killed. A New Ruler Emerges: After this bloodshed, the people of Shechem (the city that was once prosperous) decide to crown one of the surviving sons, named Abimelech, as king. He becomes the ruler over all those who survived. Putting it Together - The Key Points: This verse describes a massive and brutal act of revenge. It’s not just about killing; it's about completely erasing a powerful and successful community. “And ye are risen up against my father’s house…” : This is a clear statement that the people are actively fighting against the original owners. “…this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons…” : This emphasizes how many people were killed – three hundred and ten. It highlights the scale of the violence. "...upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem…” : This is where it gets really interesting. The original owners are now being ruled by a new person – Abimelech – who is their brother! It’s a shocking twist of fate. What's the Significance? This passage is significant because: It Shows Divine Justice: It demonstrates that God isn’t just concerned with punishment; He actively intervenes to correct wrongdoing and restore balance. It Highlights the Power of God: The verse shows God directly intervening in a human conflict, demonstrating His power over events. It Sets Up a Larger Story: This is the beginning of a larger story about the rise and fall of Shechem, and it establishes a pattern of divine intervention throughout the Old Testament. In short, this verse tells us that a terrible war erupted, leading to a massive loss of life, but God ultimately uses that conflict to establish a new, powerful ruler. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme (like the fall of civilizations)?