Literally, “empty [worthless] and reckless men.” Many bloody revolutions have been conducted through hiring such disreputable and reckless followers.

This money amounted to a shekel for each brother slain, probably about 21 cents.

Anciently the temples served as depositories for personal and civic funds, as the banks do today. In addition, each temple had its own treasury made up of accumulated funds from the payment of vows, penalties, and gifts. Abimelech’s support for his undertaking came from a temple of Baal. What a disgrace that the son of one who had begun his career by showing the futility of Baal worship should launch his career with a gift from Baal’s temple and with it murder all his brethren Such is the end result of polygamy, ambition, and a lack of godliness. There is little affection and much jealousy in polygamous households.