Midrasch zu Mischlej 18:12

(Prov. 18:12:) A PERSON'S HEART IS HAUGHTY BEFORE DESTRUCTION. This person was Abimelech, who was not destroyed until he had exalted himself and killed his brothers. (Ibid., cont.:) AND HUMILITY GOES BEFORE HONOR. This was his father, Gideon; for when they said to him (in Jud. 8:22): RULE OVER US, YOU, [YOUR SON, AND YOUR SON'S SON AS WELL], he said to them (in vs. 23): I WILL NOT RULE OVER YOU MYSELF, [NOR SHALL MY SON RULE OVER YOU; THE LORD SHALL RULE OVER YOU]. They said three things to him, and he said three things to them. The Holy One said to him: You say this. By your life, I am raising up from you a son who will reign three years corresponding to the three things that you said. Ergo (in Prov. 18; 12): AND HUMILITY GOES BEFORE HONOR. Therefore (in Jud. 9:22): NOW ABIMELECH RULED [OVER ISRAEL THREE YEARS].