Abimelech Massacres His Own Capital City – Judges – The Brick Bible

Tip: tap any image to advance to the next.

And the leaders of Shechem betrayed Abimelech. Gaal son of Ebed came to Shechem with his brothers, and the leaders transferred their allegiance to him.

1 of 18 Judges 9:23–24,26

They cursed Abimelech, and Gaal said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should be his slaves? If only this people were under my command, I would get rid of him!'

2 of 18 Judges 9:28

When Zebul the govenor of the city heard what Gaal had said, he was furious and sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah.

3 of 18 Judges 9:30–31

They said, 'Gaal and his brothers have come to Shechem and are inciting the city to revolt!'

4 of 18 Judges 9:31

So Abimelech and his troops set out by night and set up an ambush outside of Shechem.

5 of 18 Judges 9:34

When Gaal came out and stood at the entrance to the city gate, Abimelech and his troops rose from their hiding places.

6 of 18 Judges 9:35

And Zebul said to him, 'Where is your boastful talk now? Aren't these the men you ridiculed? Go on out and fight them!'

7 of 18 Judges 9:38

So Gaal and the leaders of Shechem went out to fight Abimelech.

8 of 18 Judges 9:39

Many of his men fell wounded or dead, and Gaal ran away as Abimelech pursued them all the way up to the city gate.

9 of 18 Judges 9:40

The next day the people of Shechem came out into the field. Abimelech heard of this, and saw the people coming out of the city.

10 of 18 Judges 9:42–43

He attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate.

11 of 18 Judges 9:44

Then he struck down all the people in the field.

12 of 18 Judges 9:44

Abimelech fought against the city all that day.

13 of 18 Judges 9:45

When he captured it, he killed all the people inside.

14 of 18 Judges 9:45

He destroyed the city and sowed it with salt.

15 of 18 Judges 9:45

When the people of the tower of Shechem heard about this, they hid in the inner chamber of the temple of El-Berith.

16 of 18 Judges 9:46

When Abimelech heard that all the people were gathered there, he and his men took branches and piled them against the inner chamber and set it on fire.

17 of 18 Judges 9:47–48

And so all the people of the tower of Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women.

18 of 18 Judges 9:48

Abimelech Not Killed by a Woman

Abimelech Not Killed by a Woman