Judges 9:22-29

New International Version

²² After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, ²³ God stirred up animosity^(A) between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. ²⁴ God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons,^(B) the shedding^(C) of their blood, might be avenged^(D) on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him^(E) murder his brothers. ²⁵ In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelek.

²⁶ Now Gaal son of Ebed^(F) moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. ²⁷ After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden^(G) them, they held a festival in the temple of their god.^(H) While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. ²⁸ Then Gaal son of Ebed^(I) said, “Who^(J) is Abimelek, and why should we Shechemites be subject to him? Isn’t he Jerub-Baal’s son, and isn’t Zebul his deputy? Serve the family of Hamor,^(K) Shechem’s father! Why should we serve Abimelek? ²⁹ If only this people were under my command!^(L) Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, ‘Call out your whole army!’”^[a](M)