17. for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you from the hand of Midian,
18. and now you have attacked my father’s house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Shechem ‘because he is your brother’ —
19. if then you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you.
20. But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the lords of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
21. Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech.
22. When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years,
23. God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,
24. so that the crime against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood would be avenged on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who had helped him kill his brothers.
25. The lords of Shechem rebelled against him by putting people on the tops of the mountains to ambush and rob everyone who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
26. Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the lords of Shechem trusted him.
27. So they went out to the countryside and harvested grapes from their vineyards. They trampled the grapes and held a celebration. Then they went to the house of their god, and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.