3. And his mother's brethren spoke of him to all the men of Sichem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying: He is our brother:
4. And they gave him seventy weight of silver out of the temple of Baalberith: wherewith he hired to himself men that were needy, and vagabonds, and they followed him.
5. And he came to his father's house in Ephra, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men, upon one stone: and there remained only Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal, who was hidden.
6. And all the men of Sichem were gathered together, and all the families of the city of Mello: and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak that stood in Sichem.
7. This being told to Joatham, he went and stood on the top of mount Garizim: and lifting up his voice, he cried, and said: Hear me, ye men of Sichem, so may God hear you.
8. The trees went to anoint a king over them: and they said to the olive tree: Reign thou over us.
9. And it answered: Can I leave my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, to come to be promoted among the trees?
10. And the trees said to the fig tree: Come thou and reign over us.
11. And it answered them: Can I leave my sweetness, and my delicious fruits, and go to be promoted among the other trees?
12. And the trees said to the vine: Come thou and reign over us.
13. And it answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?
14. And all the trees said to the bramble: Come thou and reign over us.
15. And it answered them: If indeed you mean to make me king, come ye and rest under my shadow: but if you mean it not, let fire come out from the bramble, and devour the cedars of Libanus.