Judges 9:25-30

New International Version

²⁵ 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.

²⁶ Now Gaal son of Ebed^(A) moved with his clan into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him. ²⁷ After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden^(B) them, they held a festival in the temple of their god.^(C) While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelek. ²⁸ Then Gaal son of Ebed^(D) said, “Who^(E) 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,^(F) Shechem’s father! Why should we serve Abimelek? ²⁹ If only this people were under my command!^(G) Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelek, ‘Call out your whole army!’”^[a](H)

³⁰ When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry.