Then Abimelech departing from thence came to the town of Thebes, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.

And Abimelech goeth unto Thebez, and encampeth against Thebez, and captureth it,

Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and put his army in position against Thebez and took it.

Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and camped against Thebez, and took it.

Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.

The men of Thebez (modern Tubas) had, doubtless, joined the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech.

Then went Abimelech to Thebez,.... Which, according to Ben Gersom, had rebelled against him; it was near to Shechem. Adrichomius says (p), the ruins, where he thinks stood the city of Thebez, were but one furlong from Neapolis or Shechem, where, to the left of Jacob's well, were to be seen ruins of a large town, marble stones, whole pillars, and other signs of large palaces, and the soil wonderfully fruitful; and Jerome says (q), that in his time there was a village called Thebes, on the borders of Neapolis or Shechem, as you go to Scythopolis, thirteen miles from it. It must be near Shechem, inhabited by Shechemites, to fulfil Jotham's curse, Judges 9:20.
and encamped against Thebez, and took it: it seems not to have held out long, being deserted by its inhabitants, who fled to the tower, as follows.
(p) Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 70. (q) De loc. Hebrews. 95. D.

The Shechemites were ruined by Abimelech; now he is reckoned with, who was their leader in villany. Evil pursues sinners, and sometimes overtakes them, when not only at ease, but triumphant. Though wickedness may prosper a while, it will not prosper always. The history of mankind, if truly told, would greatly resemble that of this chapter. The records of what are called splendid events present to us such contests for power. Such scenes, though praised of men, fully explain the Scripture doctrine of the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the human heart, the force of men's lust, and the effect of Satan's influence. Lord, thou has given us thy word of truth and righteousness, O pour upon us thy spirit of purity, peace, and love, and write thy holy law in our hearts.

ABIMELECH SLAIN. (Judges 9:50-57)
Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez--now Tubas--not far from Shechem.

At length the fate predicted by Jotham (Judges 9:20) overtook Abimelech.

Thebez - Another town near to Shechem; and, as it seems, within its territory.