Judges 9:7

Mount Gerzim lay near Shechem, and near Mount Ebal. The valley between these two mountains of Gerizim and Ebal was a famous place, employed for a religious use, even for the solemn reading of the law, and its blessings and curses, Deuteronomy 11:29, Deuteronomy 27:12 Joshua 8:33; and therefore it is probable it was still used, even by the superstitious and idolatrous Israelites, for such-like occasions, who delighted to use the same places which their religious ancestors had consecrated and used. Lifted up his voice, and cried; so as they that stood in the valley might hear him, though not suddenly come at him to take him. Ye men of Shechem; who are here met together upon a solemn occasion, as Josephus notes, Abimelech being absent. That God may harken unto you, when you cry unto him for mercy; so he conjures and persuades to give him patient audience, as they did.