² “Tell^[a] all the leaders of Shechem this: ‘Why would you want^[b] to have seventy men, all Jerub Baal’s sons, ruling over you, when you can have just one ruler? Recall that I am your own flesh and blood.’”^{[c] 3} His mother’s relatives^[d] spoke on his behalf to^[e] all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal.^[f] The leaders were drawn to Abimelech;^[g] they said, “He is our close relative.”^{[h] 4} They paid him seventy silver shekels out of the temple of Baal Berith. Abimelech then used the silver to hire some lawless, dangerous^[i] men as his followers.^[j]