John Gill Commentary Judges 9:39

"And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech." — Judges 9:39 (ASV)

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem
At the head of them, to meet Abimelech, having gathered together as many, and put them in as good order, as he could, and the time would admit of:

and fought with Abimelech ;
without the city.