This final verse of the Abimelech story makes it clear that it was not Abimelech alone who received God’s punishment, but also all the people of Shechem. Their crime was supporting Abimelech in his attempt to rule as king in Shechem. This verse has a chiastic structure.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .