Branches at the stronghold

46When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard it, they went into the inner chamber of the house of El-berith.

47And it was reported to Abimelech that all the leaders of the tower of Shechem had gathered together.

48Then Abimelek went up Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. Abimelek took the axes in his hand, cut down a bundle of branches, lifted it, and put it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.”

49So all the people also cut down a branch each, and they went after Abimelech and piled them against the inner chamber, and set the inner chamber on fire over them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.