Judges 9:3
And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother. And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
After Gideon's death Israel accepted his base-born son Abimelech as king, forgetful of all they owed to Gideon as judge and deliverer. This happened because they remembered not the Lord their God who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side, and they showed no kindness to the house of Jerubbaal in return for all the goodness Gideon had shown to Israel. To secure and sustain his power Abimelech murdered all but one of Gideon's lawful children. Casting off the fear of God soon brings departure from honor and integrity. Such ingratitude toward God brings ingratitude and cruelty toward those God has employed as instruments to bless His people, while appreciation of the Lord's mercy brings appreciation of servants such as Gideon.