And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. (Judges 9:25)
Probably near Shechem. This town was on the two main arteries of travel through the mountains of Ephraim. All the roads could easily be commanded from the heights of the twin mountains, Ebal and Gerizim. This section of Palestine has always been a favorite haunt of highwaymen.
Set liers in wait.
Abimelech probably took up his residence at Ophrah after he had destroyed his brothers there. The men of Shechem, in their disaffection, laid an ambush in the hope of capturing Abimelech at a time when he was escorted by only a few men. While waiting for their victim to appear, the ruthless men who formed the ambush began to rob all travelers and caravans that came along. The countryside was soon in a state of insecurity that was damaging to Abimelech’s prestige and popularity.