28 Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “We are the men of Shechem. Why should we obey Abimelech? Who does he think he is? Isn’t Abimelech one of Gideon’s sons? Didn’t Abimelech make Zebul his officer? We should not obey Abimelech! We should obey the men of Hamor, Shechem’s father. Why should we obey Abimelech?
29 If you made me commander of these people, I would get rid of Abimelech! I would say to him, ‘Get your army ready and come out to battle!’”
30 Now Zebul was the ruler of Shechem. He heard what Gaal son of Ebed said. And Zebul became very angry.
31 He sent messengers to Abimelech in the city of Arumah. The message said, “Gaal son of Ebed and Gaal’s brothers have come to Shechem. Gaal is turning the city against you!
32 So now you and your men should get up in the night. Then go lie in the fields outside the city.
33 When the sun comes up in the morning, attack the city. Gaal and his men will come out to fight you. Then do what you can to them.”
34 So Abimelech and all his soldiers got up during the night. They went near Shechem and separated into four groups. There they hid.