And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
So all the people also cut down branches, just like Abimelech had done, and followed him. They piled the branches against the stronghold and set it on fire with the people inside. This is how all the people in the tower of Shechem died—about a thousand men and women.
This verse describes how Abimelech and his followers burned down a fortress, killing about a thousand people who had taken refuge inside.
📚 Historical Context
This event occurred during Abimelech's brutal campaign to maintain power as Israel's first attempt at kingship around 1100 BC. The people of Shechem had initially supported Abimelech but later rebelled against his harsh rule. This massacre at the tower of Shechem was part of Abimelech's violent retaliation against those who opposed him, demonstrating the dangers of ungodly leadership.
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