In this verse, the people of Shechem and Beth Millo set an ambush against Abimelek, who had unjustly killed his brothers and sought to rule over them. The treachery and violence that characterized Abimelek's reign led to his downfall as the people turned against him. This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of seeking power through deceit and bloodshed, highlighting the eventual judgment that befalls those who oppress others for personal gain. It also underscores the principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, as seen in the downfall of Abimelek and the vindication of the oppressed.