So Abimelech and all his men came up ¹  at night and set an ambush outside Shechem – they divided into ²  four units.

Abimelech and his units ¹  attacked and blocked ²  the entrance to the city’s gate. Two units then attacked all the people in the field and struck them down.

Raiding bands went out from the camp of the Philistines in three groups. One band turned toward the road leading to Ophrah by the land of Shual;

He divided the three hundred men into three units. ¹  He gave them all trumpets and empty jars with torches inside them. ² 

he took his men ¹  and divided them into three units and set an ambush in the field. When he saw the people coming out of the city, ²  he attacked and struck them down. ³ 

“‘Be ready and stay ready, you and all your companies assembled around you, and be a guard for them. ¹ 

“The Israelites will camp according to their divisions, each man in his camp, and each man by his standard.

“On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. ¹  The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur.

“On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Amihud.

“On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan, under their standards. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

These were the traveling arrangements ¹  of the Israelites according to their companies when they traveled. ² 

All three units blew their trumpets and broke their jars. They held the torches in their left hand and the trumpets in their right. ¹  Then they yelled, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”

The caravans of Tema ¹  looked intently ²  for these streams; ³  the traveling merchants ⁴  of Sheba hoped for them.

Then he directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.

Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels.

The standard ¹  of the camp of the Judahites set out first according to their companies, and over his company was Nahshon son of Amminadab.

The standard of the camp of Reuben set out according to their companies; over his company was Elizur son of Shedeur.

And the standard of the camp of the Ephraimites set out according to their companies; over his company was Elishama son of Ammihud.

Then the two choirs that gave thanks took their stations ¹  in the temple of God. I did also, along with half the officials with me,

I am not worthy of all the faithful love ¹  you have shown ²  your servant. With only my walking stick ³  I crossed the Jordan, ⁴  but now I have become two camps.