Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
"And the men of Shechem put their trust in him"  (Judges 9:26).  This is an amazing reflection upon foolishness of the men of Shechem.  What an incredible lapse of ordinary intelligence it was which prompted the lords of Shechem to trust this itinerant marauder whose only purpose was to exploit other people in the interests of himself and his accompanying relatives.  Perhaps that `evil spirit' had blinded them for the purpose of their destruction.