42 The next day the people went out into the field, and this was told to Abimelek.
43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies, and they laid in wait in the field. When the people came out from the city, he rose up against them and struck them down.
44 Abimelek and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the city gate. The two other combat units attacked everyone in the field and struck them down.
45 Abimelek fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people inside it; he tore down the city and spread salt over it.
46 When the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard this, they entered the fortified temple of El-Berith.
47 Abimelek was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem had gathered together.
48 So Abimelek and all the people who were with him went up Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut off a tree branch, lifted it, and carried it on his shoulder. Then he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do the same.”