45. Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.
46. And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.
47. Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
48. ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, "What you see me do, you must do quickly."
49. And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.
50. Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
51. Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.
52. And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
53. And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
54. And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman." And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.
55. And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.