Verse 25:[1] 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.
[They set ambushes against him, מְאָרְבִים] Liers in wait (Septuagint, Junius and Tremellius, Drusius, Malvenda). Others: ambushes (Pagnine, Jerome in Drusius) (but then it would have been מַאֲרָבִים [Drusius]), that is, so that they might intercept him, if he should pass that way (Vatablus).
Liers in wait for him, to seize his person.
[Making prey of those passing by] Either they did this promiscuously; as it is often done in war, and especially in civil tumult; friends and allies are hurt by injustice no less often than enemies (Bonfrerius). The beginnings of civil wars are wont to be savage (Grotius). Or thus, they were spoiling all, understanding men that were devoted to Abimelech: a Synecdoche of genus (Piscator).
All that came along that way by them, to wit, such as favoured or served Abimelech; for to such only their commission reached, though it may be they went beyond their bounds, and by military license robbed all passengers promiscuously.
[It was told to Abimelech] An elliptical speech, which is supplied out of what follows: that is to say, Who, being enraged against the Shechemites by the relation, was marching on the Shechemite field. It is similar in Genesis 35:22 (Junius).
It was told Abimelech; who, as it is here implied, exercised hostility towards the men of Shechem.
[1] Hebrew: וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ לוֹ֩ בַעֲלֵ֙י שְׁכֶ֜ם מְאָרְבִ֗ים עַ֚ל רָאשֵׁ֣י הֶהָרִ֔ים וַיִּגְזְל֗וּ אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲבֹ֥ר עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
Thomas Vincent's Shorter Catechism Explained: 'Question 75.9. What is the private theft which the eighth commandment doth forbid without the family?
Answer. The private theft which the eighth commandment doth forbid without the family, is—1. Man-stealing, or woman-stealing, or stealing of children, that they may be sent or sold for slaves. "The law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for murderers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons."—1 Timothy 1:9-10. "He that stealeth a man, and selleth him, shall surely be put to death."—Exodus 21:16. 2. Robbery, either by land or sea, either of money, cattle, or any goods. "And the men of Shechem set liers in wait in…
Matthew Henry: 'The Shechemites began to affront Abimelech, perhaps they scarcely knew why or wherefore, but they were given to change.... They aimed to seize him when he was at Arumah (Judges 9:41), his country-seat. Expecting him to come to town, they set liers in wait for him (Judges 9:25), who should make him their prisoner whom they had lately made their prince. Those who were thus posted, he not coming, took the opportunity of robbing travellers, which would help to make the people more and more uneasy under Abimelech, when they saw he could not or would not protect them from highwaymen.'