27. So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
28. Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal, and isn’t Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
29. If only these people were in my power, I would remove Abimelech.” So he said to Abimelech, “Gather your army and come out.”
30. When Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was angry.
31. So he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed, with his brothers, have come to Shechem and are turning the city against you.
32. Now tonight, you and the people with you are to come wait in ambush in the countryside.
33. Then get up early, and at sunrise charge the city. When he and the people who are with him come out against you, do to him whatever you can.”
34. So Abimelech and all the people with him got up at night and waited in ambush for Shechem in four units.
35. Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. Then Abimelech and the people who were with him got up from their ambush.
36. When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops! ” But Zebul said to him, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
37. Then Gaal spoke again, “Look, people are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners’ Oak.”
38. Zebul replied, “Where is your mouthing off now? You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? ’ Aren’t these the people you despised? Now go and fight them! ”
39. So Gaal went out leading the lords of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40. but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died as far as the entrance of the gate.
41. Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem.
42. The next day when the people went into the countryside, this was reported to Abimelech.
43. He took the people, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the countryside. He looked, and the people were coming out of the city, so he arose against them and struck them down.
44. Then Abimelech and the units that were with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two units rushed against all who were in the countryside and struck them down.
45. So Abimelech fought against the city that entire day, captured it, and killed the people who were in it. Then he tore down the city and sowed it with salt.
46. When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.