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41. Dwelt at Arumah. That is, Arumah being Abimelech’s home, he now returned thither. He did not try to storm Shechem. Its walls were sufficiently formidable so that he decided to take it by stratagem. Therefore he returned to his home at Arumah as though, having disposed of Gaal, he would not press the quarrel with the Shechemites. By withdrawing his forces he succeeded in lulling the Shechemites into an unwise sense of security.

Thrust out Gaal. Gaal’s inability to oppose Abimelech cost him his following in Shechem. No one had confidence in him any more, and, perhaps, hoping that Abimelech would be appeased if Gaal were sent away, the men of Shechem acquiesced to Zebul. Gaal and the few men he had left with him were asked to leave the city, which they did.