37. But Gaal went on to say, “Soldiers are coming down from the region of Tabbur-haarez, and one company is coming by way of Elon-meonenim.”
38. Zebul said to him, “Where now is your boast, when you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the troops for whom you expressed contempt? Go out now and fight with them.”
39. So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem to fight against Abimelech;
40. but when Abimelech went after him, he fled from him. Many fell slain right up to the entrance of the gate.
41. Abimelech returned to Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his kin away so that they could no longer remain at Shechem.
42. The next day, the army marched out into the field, and it was reported to Abimelech.
43. He divided the troops he had into three companies, and set up an ambush in the fields. He watched until he saw the army leave the city and then went on the attack against them.
44. Abimelech and the company with him rushed in and stood by the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and attacked them.
45. That entire day Abimelech fought against the city. He captured it, killed the people who were in it, and demolished the city itself, sowing it with salt.
46. When they heard of this, all the lords of the Migdal-shechem went into the crypt of the temple of El-berith.
47. It was reported to Abimelech that all the lords of the Migdal-shechem were gathered together.
48. So he went up Mount Zalmon with all his soldiers, took his ax in his hand, and cut down some brushwood. This he lifted to his shoulder, then said to the troops with him, “Hurry! Do just as you have seen me do.”