Judges 9:23-41

Judges 9:23-41

[23] Then God  sent  an evil  spirit  between Abimelech  and the men  of Shechem;  and the men  of Shechem  dealt treacherously  with Abimelech:  [24] That the cruelty  done to the threescore and ten  sons  of Jerubbaal  might come,  and their blood  be laid  upon Abimelech  their brother,  which slew  them; and upon the men  of Shechem,  which aided  him in the killing  of his brethren.  [25] And the men  of Shechem  set  liers in wait  for him in the top  of the mountains,  and they robbed  all that came  along that way  by them: and it was told  Abimelech.  [26] And Gaal  the son  of Ebed  came  with his brethren,  and went over  to Shechem:  and the men  of Shechem  put their confidence  in him. [27] And they went out  into the fields,  and gathered  their vineyards,  and trode  the grapes, and made  merry,  and went  into the house  of their god,  and did eat  and drink,  and cursed  Abimelech.  [28] And Gaal  the son  of Ebed  said,  Who is Abimelech,  and who is Shechem,  that we should serve  him? is not he the son  of Jerubbaal?  and Zebul  his officer?  serve  of Hamor  the father  of Shechem:  for why should we serve  [29] And would to God this people  were under  my hand!  then would I remove  Abimelech.  And he said  to Abimelech,  Increase  thine army,  and come out.  [30] And when Zebul  the ruler  of the city  heard  the words  of Gaal  the son  of Ebed,  his anger  was kindled.  [31] And he sent  messengers  unto Abimelech  privily,  saying,  Behold, Gaal  the son  of Ebed  and his brethren  be come  to Shechem;  and, behold, they fortify  the city  [32] Now therefore up  by night,  thou and the people  that is with thee, and lie in wait  in the field:  [33] And it shall be, that in the morning,  as soon as the sun  is up,  thou shalt rise early,  and set  upon the city:  and, behold, when he and the people  that is with him come out  against thee, then mayest thou do  to them as thou  shalt find occasion.  [34] And Abimelech  rose up,  and all the people  that were with him, by night,  and they laid wait  against Shechem  in four  companies.  [35] And Gaal  the son  of Ebed  went out,  and stood  in the entering  of the gate  of the city:  and Abimelech  rose up,  and the people  that were with him, from lying in wait.  [36] And when Gaal  saw  the people,  he said  to Zebul,  people  down  from the top  of the mountains.  And Zebul  said  unto him, Thou seest  the shadow  of the mountains  [37] And Gaal  spake  again  and said,  people  down  by the middle  of the land,  and another  company  come  along by the plain  of  Meonenim.  [38] Then said  Zebul  unto him, Where is now  thy mouth,  wherewith thou saidst,  Who is Abimelech,  that we should serve  him? is not this the people  that thou hast despised?  go out,  I pray now,  and fight  with them. [39] And Gaal  went out  before  the men  of Shechem,  and fought  with Abimelech.  [40] And Abimelech  chased  him, and he fled  before  him, and many  were overthrown  and wounded,  even unto the entering  of the gate.  [41] And Abimelech  dwelt  at Arumah:  and Zebul  thrust out  Gaal  and his brethren,  that they should not dwell  in Shechem.