24
that the violence done to the seventy sons of Yerubba`al might come, and that their blood might be laid on Avimelekh their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shekhem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
25
The men of Shekhem set liers-in-wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them: and it was told Avimelekh.
26
Ga`al the son of `Eved came with his brothers, and went over to Shekhem; and the men of Shekhem put their trust in him.
27
They went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod [the grapes], and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Avimelekh.
28
Ga`al the son of `Eved said, Who is Avimelekh, and who is Shekhem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Yerubba`al? and Zevul his officer? serve you the men of Hamor the father of Shekhem: but why should we serve him?
29
Would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Avimelekh. He said to Avimelekh, Increase your army, and come out.
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.