Once Macbeth kills Duncan and becomes king, he experiences a sense of paranoia, a fear that his throne, his crown will be challenged or taken away by various people. He is also thinking of the witches prophecy. Remember, he goes to the witches a second time, for more information about his future. Some of the prophecy he does not understand.
He suspects that there are members of his kingdom who want his crown, so he murders them before they get the jump on him. He murders Banquo and Fleance because the witches told him that Banquo would be father to kings. Macbeth gets rid of them in advance of Fleance challenging his crown, except Fleance escapes the murderers.
He sends murderers to kill Macduff, because the witches told him "Beware Macduff," except he is not home, so the killers slaughter Macduff's family just for insurance against Macduff thinking he should ever turn against Macbeth.
Macbeth continues to murder to protect his power. He took the throne through violence, so he fears violence will overtake him and seize his crown, since he is not a rightful King. His succession is false, Malcolm, the older son of King Duncan is the rightful heir to the throne. Macbeth knows that he will have to fight to keep his crown.
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