Judges 9:7

Mount Gerizim — Which lay near Shechem. The valley between Gerizim and Ebal, was a famous place, employed for the solemn reading of the law, and its blessings and curses: and it is probable it was still used, even by the superstitious and idolatrous Israelites for such occasions, who delighted to use the same places which their ancestors had used. Cried — So that they who stood in the valley might hear him, though not suddenly come at him to take him. Men of Shechem — Who were here met together upon a solemn occasion, as Josephus notes, Abimelech being absent. That God may hearken — When you cry unto him for mercy; so he conjures and persuades them to give him patient audience.