American Standard Version

Judges 9:45-52 American Standard Version (ASV)

45. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

46. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.

47. And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

48. And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.

49. And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

50. Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

51. But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and gat them up to the roof of the tower.

52. And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and drew near unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.