The Ephraimite pride revolted from Abi-ezrite rulers, and inclined them to one who was a Shechemite by birth. (Compare the same spirit in the time of David and Rehoboam, 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16.)
Related Commentaries of Judges 9:3
Judges 9:3
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 followb Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.