he took his men and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he attacked and struck them down.

The leaders of all the people from all the tribes of Israel took their places in the assembly of God’s people, which numbered four hundred thousand sword-wielding foot soldiers.

“When the leaders took the lead in Israel, When the people answered the call to war – Praise the Lord!

My heart went out to Israel’s leaders, to the people who answered the call to war. Praise the Lord!

The next day the Shechemites came out to the field. When Abimelech heard about it,

When Joshua dismissed the people, the Israelites went to their allotted portions of territory, intending to take possession of the land.

After Ehud brought the tribute payment, he dismissed the people who had carried it.

Then the survivors came down to the mighty ones; the Lord’s people came down to me as warriors.

The men of Zebulun were not concerned about their lives; Naphtali charged on to the battlefields.

Now, come up at night with your men and set an ambush in the field outside the city.

So Abimelech and all his men came up at night and set an ambush outside Shechem – they divided into four units.

Since the Lord God of Israel has driven out the Amorites before his people Israel, do you think you can just take it from them?

The next morning the people got up early and built an altar there. They offered up burnt sacrifices and token of peace.

When they took roll call, they noticed none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there.

The people regretted what had happened to Benjamin because the Lord had weakened the Israelite tribes.

Now, announce to the men, ‘Whoever is shaking with fear may turn around and leave Mount Gilead.’” Twenty-two thousand men went home; ten thousand remained.

Gaal saw the men and said to Zebul, “Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills – it just looks like men.”

The Benjaminites attacked the army, leaving the city unguarded. They began to strike down their enemy just as they had done before. On the main roads (one leads to Bethel, the other to Gibeah) and in the field, they struck down about thirty Israelites.

When the Lord’s messenger finished speaking these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly.

Hear the sound of those who divide the sheep among the watering places; there they tell of the Lord’s victorious deeds, the victorious deeds of his warriors in Israel. Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates –