Jotham’s Parable

Jotham cries out from Mount Gerizim and tells of trees seeking a king. The olive tree, fig tree, and vine refuse to leave their proper fruitfulness, but the thornbush welcomes rule with a hollow promise of shade and a threat of fire.

W⁷hen this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: ⁸One day the trees set out ⁹But the olive tree replied, ¹⁰Then the trees said to the fig tree, ¹¹But the fig tree replied, ¹²Then the trees said to the grapevine, ¹³But the grapevine replied, ¹⁴Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ¹⁵But the thornbush replied,

Jotham applies the parable to Shechem’s actions. If they have dealt faithfully with Jerubbaal’s house, they may rejoice together; if not, may fire come from Abimelech and from Shechem until each consumes the other.

¹⁶Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves— ¹⁷for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, ¹⁸but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother — ¹⁹if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. ²⁰But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”

Jotham flees to Beer and remains there because he fears Abimelech.

²¹Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.