25The men of Shechem set liers-in-wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
26Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
27They went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod [the grapes], and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
28Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn`t he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve you the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: but why should we serve him?
29Would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. He said to Abimelech, Increase your army, and come out.
30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers are come to Shechem; and, behold, they constrain the city [to take part] against you.
