Shechem's alliance fractures under judgment

God sends discord so the brothers' blood comes back on both parties

Abimelech reigns three years over Israel. God sends an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech, that the cruelty done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech who slew them and upon the men of Shechem who aided him. The narrator's purpose clause governs the faction fight. An evil spirit here is a judgment-producing rift, not a diagnosis of mental illness or disability.

Shechemites set liers in wait on the tops of the mountains and rob all that pass, and it is told Abimelech. Divine judgment does not turn Abimelech, Shechem, Gaal, or Zebul into innocent puppets. They keep choosing deceit and force. Modern political factions should not be mapped onto these named groups.

Gaal boasts at a temple feast; Zebul sells him to Abimelech

Gaal son of Ebed comes with his brethren and goes over to Shechem. The men of Shechem put their confidence in him. They go into the house of their god, eat and drink, and curse Abimelech. Gaal asks who Abimelech is, and who Shechem, that they should serve him. He boasts that he would remove Abimelech and tells him to increase his army and come out.

Zebul, the city's officer, hears, and his anger is kindled. He sends messengers to Abimelech privily: Gaal and his brethren are come to Shechem, and they fortify the city against thee. He advises an ambush by night. In the morning Gaal stands in the gate, sees the people, and Zebul tells him the shadows are mountains until the companies are obvious. Zebul says, Where is now thy mouth? Then Zebul thrusts Gaal and his brethren out, that they should not dwell in Shechem. Abimelech dwells at Arumah. A coalition built on betrayal reproduces betrayal.