שופטים, פרק ט׳, פסוק מ״ג

Military strategy often requires patience and deception, especially when facing a heavily fortified target. Realizing that his army lacks the sheer strength to launch a direct assault on the closed walls of Shechem, Abimelech resorts to a carefully planned ambush. This maneuver successfully puts into action the tactical advice he had previously received from Zebul.

To execute the plan, Abimelech gathers his fighters and divides them into three separate units, positioning them secretly in the surrounding fields to lie in wait. The trap is sprung only when he sees the people of Shechem finally emerging from the safety of their walls. The commentators explain that this delay is highly intentional; waiting for the residents to step out into the open ensures they are entirely cut off from the city's defensive structures. Once the people are completely disconnected from their stronghold and vulnerable in the open field, Abimelech and his forces rise from their hiding spots to strike.