30
When Zevul the ruler of the city heard the words of Ga`al the son of `Eved, his anger was kindled.
31
He sent messengers to Avimelekh craftily, saying, Behold, Ga`al the son of `Eved and his brothers are come to Shekhem; and, behold, they constrain the city [to take part] against you.
32
Now therefore, up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field:
33
and it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early, and rush on the city; and, behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.
34
Avimelekh rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shekhem in four companies.
35
Ga`al the son of `Eved went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and Avimelekh rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
36
When Ga`al saw the people, he said to Zevul, Behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains. Zevul said to him, You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
37
Ga`al spoke again and said, Behold, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Me`onenim.
38
Then said Zevul to him, Where is now your mouth, that you said, Who is Avimelekh, that we should serve him? is not this the people that you have despised? go out now, I pray, and fight with them.
39
Ga`al went out before the men of Shekhem, and fought with Avimelekh.
40
Avimelekh chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
41
Avimelekh lived at Arumah: and Zevul drove out Ga`al and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shekhem.
42
It happened on the next day, that the people went out into the field; and they told Avimelekh.
43
He took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people came forth out of the city; He rose up against them, and struck them.
44
Avimelekh, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field, and struck them.
45
Avimelekh fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people who were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46
When all the men of the tower of Shekhem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the Beit-El-Berit.
47
It was told Avimelekh that all the men of the tower of Shekhem were gathered together.
48
Avimelekh got him up to Mount Tzalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Avimelekh took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said to the people who were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
49
All the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Avimelekh, and put them to the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire on them; so that all the men of the tower of Shekhem died also, about a thousand men and women.