Before the men of Shechem. —Not merely “in the presence of the Shechemites,” as some of the versions understand it, but as leader …

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem
At the head of them, to meet Abimelech, having gathered together as many…

Abimelech intended to punish the Schechemites for slighting him now, but God punished them for their serving him formerly in the murder of Gideon's…