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⌋.