Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 9:55

"And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place." — Judges 9:55 (ASV)

They departed. —The death of a leader was generally sufficient to break up an ancient army (1 Samuel 17:51). “With Abimelech expired this first abortive attempt at monarchy. ... The true King of Israel is still far in the distance” (Stanley).