The city of Shechem, including its Bronze Age temple, falls to the Hebrews and is again destroyed around 1100, according to archaeological excavations.

According to the Bible, after Gideon's death, Abimelech, his son by a Sichemite concubine, was made king (Judges 9:1-6).

Yotam, the youngest son of Gideon, made a famous speech on Mount Gerizim known as Yotam's allegory where he warned the people of Shechem about Abimelech's future tyranny (Judges 9:7-20).

Three years later, when the city had risen in rebellion, Abimelech took it, utterly destroyed it, and burnt the temple of Baal-berith where the people had fled for safety.