22. Abimelech ruled Israel for three years.
23. Then God sent an evil spirit to cause problems between Abimelech and citizens of Shechem. So citizens of Shechem turned against Abimelech.
24. God did this so that the bloody violence committed against Jerubbaal’s 70 sons would happen to Abimelech and citizens of Shechem. Citizens of Shechem had helped Abimelech execute his brothers.
25. So citizens of Shechem set ambushes for Abimelech on top of the mountains. They also robbed everyone who passed by them on the road. This was reported to Abimelech.
26. Then Gaal (son of Ebed) and his brothers moved into Shechem. Citizens of Shechem trusted him.
27. They went into the country and harvested grapes in the vineyards to make wine. Then they made an offering of praise in the temple of their gods. They ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech.
28. Gaal (son of Ebed) said, “Who’s Abimelech, and who are we, the people of Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he Jerubbaal’s son, and isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the descendants of Hamor, Shechem’s father! Why should we serve Abimelech?
29. How I wish I controlled these people! Then I’d get rid of Abimelech. I would tell him, ‘Get yourself a big army and come out.’ ”
30. Zebul, Shechem’s ruler, heard what Gaal (son of Ebed) had said, and he became angry.
31. He secretly sent messengers to Abimelech. “Watch out! Gaal (son of Ebed) and his brothers have come to Shechem. They have turned the city against you.
32. You and your men must start out tonight. Set an ambush ⌊for them⌋ in the fields ⌊around Shechem⌋.
33. In the morning, when the sun rises, get up quickly and raid the city. When Gaal and his men come out to attack you, do whatever you want to him.”
34. Abimelech and all his troops started out at night. He used four companies to set ambushes around Shechem.
35. Gaal (son of Ebed) went out and stood at the entrance to the city. Then Abimelech and his troops rose from their ambush.
36. When Gaal saw the troops, he said to Zebul, “Look, troops are coming down from the mountaintops!”Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
37. Gaal spoke again, “No, there are troops coming down from Tabbur Haares. One company is coming along the road by the Fortune tellers’ Tree.”
38. Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your big mouth now? You were the one who said, ‘Who’s Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Aren’t these the troops ⌊whose ruler⌋ you despised? Now go out and fight him.”