Judges 9:42-49

42Now it came about the next day, that the people went out to the field, and it was told to Abimelech. 43So he took 1his people and divided them into three 2companies, and lay in wait in the field; when he looked and 3saw the people coming out from the city, he arose against them and 4slew them. 44Then Abimelech and the 5company who was with him dashed forward and stood in the entrance of the city gate; the other two 6companies then dashed against all who were in the field and 7slew them. 45Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it; then he 8razed the city and sowed it with salt.

46When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the inner chamber of the 9temple of 10El-berith. 47It was told Abimelech that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48So Abimelech went up to Mount 11Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took 12an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do 13likewise.” 49All the people also cut down each one his branch and followed Abimelech, and put them on the inner chamber and set the inner chamber on fire over those inside, so that all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.