Gaal in the Bible
Meaning: contempt; abomination
Exact Match
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
Tomorrow morning when the sun is up, get up early and attack the city. When Gaal and his army come out to fight you, do whatever you can to them."
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
Then Zebul said to Gaal, “Where is your [boasting] mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!”
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died
Thematic Bible
Gaal » Conspires against and is defeated by abimelech
If I were leading this people I would get rid of Abimelech! I would tell him to: call out your army, come on out and fight! The ruler of the city, Zebul, became angry when he heard what Gaal said. He sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah. They said: Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. They are not going to let you enter into the city. You and your men should move by night and hide in the fields. Get up early in the morning at sunrise and attack the city. When he and the people who are with him come out against you do what you can against them. Abimelech and all his troops, in four companies, took up concealed positions at night against Shechem. Abimelech and his men saw Gaal come out and stand at the city gate. So they got up from their hiding places. Gaal saw them and said to Zebul: There are men coming down from the mountaintops! Zebul answered: They are not men. They are only shadows on the mountains. Gaal responded: Do you see? There are men coming down from the top of the mountain. Some are coming along the road from the big tree of Meonenim (big tree of magic)! Zebul said to him: Where is all your big talk now? You asked why we should serve this man Abimelech. These are the men you made fun of. You go fight them! Gaal led the men of Shechem out to fight Abimelech. Abimelech chased Gaal, and Gaal ran away. Many were wounded at the city gate. Abimelech lived in Arumah. Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. They could no longer live there.