Abimelech's Punishment
22 When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years,
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God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,
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so that the crime against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers.
25
The lords of Shechem rebelled against him by putting people on the tops of the mountains to ambush and rob everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
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Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the lords of Shechem trusted him.
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So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trod the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
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Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal, and isn't Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
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If only these people were in my power, I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Gather your army and come out."
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When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was angry.
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So he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying, "Look, Gaal son of Ebed, with his brothers, have come to Shechem and are turning the city against you.
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Now tonight, you and the people with you are to come wait in ambush in the countryside.