46
And when those of the tower of Shechem heard
that, they entered into the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith.
47
And it was told Abimelech how all those of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48
Then Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people that
were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bough from the trees and took it and laid
it on his shoulder and said unto the people that
were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste
and do as I
have done.
49
And all the people likewise cut down each one his bough and followed Abimelech and put
them next to the stronghold and set the stronghold on fire upon them; so that all those of the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women.
50
Then Abimelech went to Thebez and laid siege against Thebez and took it.
51
But in the midst of the city there was a strong tower, and all the men and women fled there, and all those of the city, and shutting
the doors behind them, they climbed up to the top of the tower.
52
And Abimelech came to the tower, and fighting against it, he came to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53
But a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull.
54
Then he called hastily unto the young man, his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword and slay me that it not be said of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55
And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed each one unto his place.
56
Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did against his father in slaying his seventy brethren.