21
And Jotham fled. He ran for his life. He went to Beer and settled down there, because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.
22
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
23
Then God brought bad blood between Abimelech and Shechem's leaders, who now worked treacherously behind his back.
24
Violence boomeranged: The murderous violence that killed the seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal, was now loose among Abimelech and Shechem's leaders, who had supported the violence.
25
To undermine Abimelech, Shechem's leaders put men in ambush on the mountain passes who robbed travelers on those roads. And Abimelech was told.
26
At that time Gaal son of Ebed arrived with his relatives and moved into Shechem. The leaders of Shechem trusted him.
27
One day they went out into the fields, gathered grapes in the vineyards, and trod them in the winepress. Then they held a celebration in their god's temple, a feast, eating and drinking. And then they started putting down Abimelech.
28
Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is this Abimelech? And who are we Shechemites to take orders from him? Isn't he the son of Jerub-Baal, and isn't this his henchman Zebul? We belong to the race of Hamor and bear the noble name of Shechem. Why should we be toadies of Abimelech?
29
If I were in charge of this people, the first thing I'd do is get rid of Abimelech! I'd say, 'Show me your stuff, Abimelech - let's see who's boss here!'"
30
Zebul, governor of the city, heard what Gaal son of Ebed was saying and got angry.
31
Secretly he sent messengers to Abimelech with the message, "Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem and are stirring up trouble against you.