Judges 9:30-45

30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned. 31He sent messengers to Abimelech 1deceitfully, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his 2relatives have come to Shechem; and behold, they are 3stirring up the city against you. 32Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. 33In the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall 4do to them 5whatever you can.”

34So Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four 6companies. 35Now Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate; and Abimelech and the people who were with him arose from the ambush. 36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “7Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” 37Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from 8the 9highest part of the land, and one 10company comes by the way of 11the diviners’ 12oak.” 38Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your 13boasting now with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!” 39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate. 41Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his 14relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

42Now it came about the next day, that the people went out to the field, and it was told to Abimelech. 43So he took 15his people and divided them into three 16companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and 17saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and 18slew them. 44Then Abimelech and the 19company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two 20companies then dashed against all who were in the field and 21slew them. 45Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it; then he 22razed the city and sowed it with salt.