13. But the vine answered, ‘In order to govern you, I would have to stop producing my wine, that makes gods and human beings happy.’
14. So then all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘You come and be our king.’
15. The thorn bush answered, ‘If you really want to make me your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. If you don't, fire will blaze out of my thorny branches and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.’
16. “Now then,” Jotham continued, “were you really honest and sincere when you made Abimelech king? Did you respect Gideon's memory and treat his family properly, as his actions deserved?
17. Remember that my father fought for you. He risked his life to save you from the Midianites.
18. But today you turned against my father's family. You killed his sons — seventy men on a single stone — and just because Abimelech, his son by his servant woman, is your relative, you have made him king of Shechem.
19. Now then, if what you did today to Gideon and his family was sincere and honest, then be happy with Abimelech and let him be happy with you.
20. But if not, may fire blaze out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Bethmillo. May fire blaze out from the men of Shechem and Bethmillo and burn Abimelech up.”
21. Then because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech, Jotham ran away and went to live at Beer.
22. Abimelech ruled Israel for three years.
23. Then God made Abimelech and the men of Shechem hostile to each other, and they rebelled against him.