30
Zebul, Shechem's ruler, heard what Gaal (son of Ebed) had said, and he became angry.
31
He secretly sent messengers to Abimelech. "Watch out! Gaal (son of Ebed) and his brothers have come to Shechem. They have turned the city against you.
32
You and your men must start out tonight. Set an ambush [for them] in the fields [around Shechem].
33
In the morning, when the sun rises, get up quickly and raid the city. When Gaal and his men come out to attack you, do whatever you want to him."
34
Abimelech and all his troops started out at night. He used four companies to set ambushes around Shechem.
35
Gaal (son of Ebed) went out and stood at the entrance to the city. Then Abimelech and his troops rose from their ambush.
36
When Gaal saw the troops, he said to Zebul, "Look, troops are coming down from the mountaintops!" Zebul replied, "The shadows of the mountains look like men to you."
37
Gaal spoke again, "No, there are troops coming down from Tabbur Haares. One company is coming along the road by the Fortunetellers' Tree."
38
Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your big mouth now? You were the one who said, 'Who's Abimelech that we should serve him?' Aren't these the troops [whose ruler] you despised? Now go out and fight him."
39
Then Gaal led citizens of Shechem out to fight Abimelech.
40
Abimelech chased Gaal so that he ran away from him. Many were killed at the entrance of the city.
41
Abimelech continued to live at Arumah. Zebul threw Gaal and his brothers out and would not let them live in Shechem.
42
The next day the people [of Shechem] went into the fields. Abimelech was told about it.
43
So he took his troops, divided them into three companies, and set an ambush in the fields. He watched and saw the people coming out of the city. Then he began to attack them.
44
Abimelech and his company charged the city and captured its entrance. The other two companies charged at everyone in the fields and attacked them.
45
Abimelech attacked the city all day long. He captured the city and killed the people in it. He also tore down the city and scattered salt all over the land.
46
All the citizens of Shechem's Tower heard about it and went into the basement of the temple of El Berith.
47
When Abimelech was told that they had gathered there,
48
he and all his men went to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took an ax, cut some brushwood, and carried it on his shoulder. He told his men, "Hurry and do what you've seen me do!"
49
So all his troops also cut brushwood and followed Abimelech. They piled the brushwood on top of the basement and set it on fire with the people inside. So all the people in Shechem's Tower died too. There were about a thousand men and women.