Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and spoke with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
"Speak ... in the ears of all the men of Shechem"  (Judges 9:2-3).  The meaning here is that the conspiracy was to be carried on quietly, that is, whispered in the ears of the conspirators.