שופטים, פרק ט׳, פסוק ד׳

The rise to power often requires capital, and when political ambition is fueled by corrupt funds, the line between financial support and criminal partnership is easily crossed. To establish his rule, the young Abimelech required a military force. He received seventy pieces of silver taken directly from the local pagan temple [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This financial backing was far more than a mere technicality. By providing the funds necessary for his campaign, the leaders of Shechem transformed themselves into full partners in the brutal murders that would soon follow [מלבי״ם].

With this newly acquired wealth, Abimelech specifically recruited men who were entirely devoid of any moral or human virtue. The primary approach among commentators is that these were unstable individuals without a steady livelihood, wandering aimlessly in search of easy prey. They were completely lawless, drawn from the absolute bottom of the social ladder, much like lowly cattle herders [רד״ק].

Beyond their severe lack of character, these recruits were reckless and hasty. They operated without a conscience, acting on pure impulse rather than thought or understanding [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Using the temple funds, Abimelech successfully organized this group of thugs into a loyal military unit. Bound to his command, they followed him readily to execute his dark plot [ביאור שטיינזלץ].