John Calvin Commentary Genesis 34:18

"And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor`s son." — Genesis 34:18 (ASV)

And their words pleased Hamor. Moses continues the account until he reaches the slaughter of the Shechemites. Hamor had, no doubt, been persuaded by the pleas of his son to show himself so compliant. This reveals the excessive indulgence of the kind old man. He should have, at the beginning, severely corrected his son's fault; but he not only covers it as much as possible, but also yields to all his wishes.

This moderation and equity would have been commendable if what his son had required was just. However, for the old man, for his son's sake, to adopt a new religion and suffer a wound to be inflicted on his own flesh cannot be considered free from folly.

The young man is said not to have delayed, because he intensely loved the young woman and excelled in dignity among his own citizens. Because of the honor of his rank, he easily obtained what he wished, for the intensity of his love would have achieved nothing unless he had possessed the power to accomplish his goal.