Judges 9:11   (Read all of Judges 9)

"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

Judges 9:12   (Read all of Judges 9)

"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

Judges 9:13   (Read all of Judges 9)

"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'

Judges 9:14   (Read all of Judges 9)

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

Judges 9:15   (Read all of Judges 9)

"The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

Judges 9:18   (Read all of Judges 9)

But today you have revolted against my father's family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you.

Judges 9:19   (Read all of Judges 9)

So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too!

Judges 9:20   (Read all of Judges 9)

But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!"

Judges 9:23   (Read all of Judges 9)

God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek.

Judges 9:24   (Read all of Judges 9)

God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal's seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

Judges 9:25   (Read all of Judges 9)

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.

Judges 9:26   (Read all of Judges 9)

Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him.

Judges 9:28   (Read all of Judges 9)

Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who 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, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelek?

Judges 9:29   (Read all of Judges 9)

If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, 'Call out your whole army!' "

Judges 9:30   (Read all of Judges 9)

When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry.

Judges 9:31   (Read all of Judges 9)

Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, "Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.

Judges 9:32   (Read all of Judges 9)

Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields.

Judges 9:33   (Read all of Judges 9)

In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, seize the opportunity to attack them."

Judges 9:34   (Read all of Judges 9)

So Abimelek and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies.

Judges 9:35   (Read all of Judges 9)

Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place.

Judges 9:36   (Read all of Judges 9)

When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!" Zebul replied, "You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men."

Judges 9:37   (Read all of Judges 9)

But Gaal spoke up again: "Look, people are coming down from the central hill, and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners' tree."

Judges 9:38   (Read all of Judges 9)

Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your big talk now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelek that we should be subject to him?' Aren't these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!"

Judges 9:39   (Read all of Judges 9)

So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek.