² “·Ask [or Whisper to; ^LSpeak in the ears of] the ·leaders [leading citizens; lords] of Shechem, ‘Is it better for the seventy sons of Gideon to rule over you or for one man to rule?’ Remember, I am your ·relative [^Lbone and your flesh].”

³ Abimelech’s ·uncles [mother’s brothers] ·spoke to [or whispered to; ^Lspoke in the ears of] all the ·leaders [leading citizens; lords] of Shechem about this [^Lfor him; on his behalf]. And ·they decided [they were inclined; ^Ltheir heart was stretched] to follow Abimelech, because they said, “He is our ·relative [brother].” ⁴ So the leaders of Shechem gave Abimelech about ·one and three-quarter pounds [^Lseventy pieces/coins] of silver from the temple of the god Baal-Berith [8:33]. Abimelech used the silver to hire some worthless, reckless men, who ·followed him wherever he went [^Lwent after him].