Judges 9:34-45 ▼

34 And Abimelech rises, and all the people who [are] with him, by night, and they lay wait against Shechem—four detachments;

35 and Gaal son of Ebed goes out, and stands at the opening of the gate of the city, and Abimelech rises—also the people who [are] with him—from the ambush,

36 and Gaal sees the people and says to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the top of the hills”; and Zebul says to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the hills like men.”

37 And Gaal adds yet to speak and says, “Behold, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”

38 And Zebul says to him, “Where [is] your mouth now, in that you say, Who [is] Abimelech that we serve him? Is this not the people against which you have kicked? Please go out now and fight against it.”

39 And Gaal goes out before the masters of Shechem, and fights against Abimelech,

40 and Abimelech pursues him, and he flees from his presence, and many fall wounded—to the opening of the gate.

41 And Abimelech abides in Arumah, and Zebul casts out Gaal and his brothers from dwelling in Shechem.

42 And it comes to pass, on the next day, that the people go out to the field, and they declare [it] to Abimelech,

43 and he takes the people, and divides them into three detachments, and lays wait in a field, and looks, and behold, the people are coming out from the city, and he rises against them, and strikes them.

44 And Abimelech and the detachments who [are] with him have pushed on, and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have pushed against all who are in the field, and strike them,

45 and Abimelech has fought against the city all that day, and captures the city, and has slain the people who [are] in it, and he breaks down the city, and sows it [with] salt.