Judges 9:22-41

The Downfall of Abimelech

22Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 aAnd God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem bdealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 cthat the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. 25And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.

26And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put confidence in him. 27And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into dthe house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech. 28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, e“Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of fHamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say
Septuagint; Hebrew and he said
to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’”

30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. 31And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly,
Or at Tormah
saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up
Hebrew besieging, or closing up
the city against you.
32Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. 33Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them jas your hand finds to do.”

34So Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies. 35And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush. 36And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from kthe mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake
Hebrew  You see
the shadow of the mountains for men.”
37Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the DivinersOak.” 38Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, m‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.” 39And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. 41And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.

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