The Holy One said to Abimelech ben Gideon (of Jud. 9): O wicked one, see the honor that Abimelech paid to Abraham! Now you have arisen and killed your brothers, (according to vs. 5): SEVENTY MEN ON ONE STONE. Woe to that man, for thus Solomon has spoken (in Eccl. 10:8): THE ONE WHO DIGS A PIT WILL FALL INTO IT. Accordingly, he also was not killed other than by means of a stone, as stated (in vs. 53): THEN A CERTAIN WOMAN CAST A MILLSTONE UPON ABIMELECH'S HEAD AND BROKE HIS SKULL . The Holy One said to him: I have written in my Torah (in Prov. 10:27): THE FEAR OF THE LORD INCREASES ONE'S DAYS, BUT THE YEARS OF THE WICKED WILL BE SHORTENED. Now you have killed your brothers. By your life, I am shortening the years of that man (i.e., Abimelech). He therefore only reigned three years, as stated (in Jud. 9:22): NOW ABIMELECH RULED OVER ISRAEL THREE YEARS.