4. Then they gave Abimelech seventy pieces of silver from the temple of their god Baal Berith.Abimelech used the silver to hire a gang of rough soldiers who would do anything for money.
5. Abimelech and his soldiers went to his father's home in Ophrah and brought out Gideon's other sons to a large rock, where they murdered all seventy. Gideon's youngest son Jotham hid from the soldiers, but he was the only one who escaped.
6. The leaders of Shechem, including the priests and the military officers, met at the tree next to the sacred rock in Shechem to crown Abimelech king.
7. Jotham heard what they were doing. So he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted down to the people who were there at the meeting:Leaders of Shechem,listen to me,and perhaps Godwill listen to you.
8. Once the trees searchedfor someone to be king;they asked the olive tree,“Will you be our king?”
9. But the olive tree replied,“My oil brings honourto people and gods.I won't stop making oil,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”
10. Then they asked the fig tree,“Will you be our king?”
11. But the fig tree replied,“I won't stop growingmy delicious fruit,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”
12. Next they asked the grapevine,“Will you be our king?”
13. But the grapevine replied,“My wine brings cheerto people and gods.I won't stop making wine,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”
14. Finally, they wentto the thorn bush and asked,“Will you be our king?”
15. The thorn bush replied,“If you really want meto be your king,then come into my shadeand I will protect you.But if you're deceiving me,I'll start a firethat will spread out and destroythe cedars of Lebanon.”After Jotham had finished telling this story, he said: