22. Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
23. Then God stirred up ill will between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and they acted like traitors toward Abimelech.
24. This occurred because of the violence done to Jerubbaal’s seventy sons. Their blood came back on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the leaders of Shechem, who supported him when he killed his brothers.
25. As an act against him, the leaders of Shechem set ambushes on the hilltops that robbed everyone who passed by them on the road. This was reported to Abimelech.
26. Then Gaal, Ebed’s son, and his relatives came passing through Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem shifted their allegiance to him.
27. They went out into the field, cut off clusters from their vineyards, trampled them out, and had a celebration. They entered their god’s temple and ate, drank, and made fun of Abimelech.
28. Gaal, Ebed’s son, said, "Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem that we ought to serve him? Didn’t this son of Jerubbaal and his deputy Zebul once serve the men of Hamor, Shechem’s father? Why should we of all people serve him?
29. If only this people were under my command! I would push Abimelech aside! I would tell Abimelech, ‘Build up your army and march out for battle.’"
30. When Zebul the city’s ruler heard the words of Gaal, Ebed’s son, he became angry.
31. He sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah to say, "Watch out! Gaal, Ebed’s son, and his relatives have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.