In ancient times, the Israelites, constantly dissatisfied and grumbling under the reign of Jehovah, desired a king like the other nations. They offered the kingdom to Gideon, their deliverer, and extended the offer to his descendants. However, Gideon graciously refused, reminding them that Jehovah was their true king. After Gideon’s death, his son Abimelech, born of a concubine, murdered all his seventy brothers, except Joatham who managed to escape. With the support of the Shechemites, Abimelech made himself king.
To highlight their folly and demonstrate that the most deserving individuals are often the least ambitious, while the worthless eagerly seek power and exercise it with tyranny, Joatham addressed the people of Shechem with this parable:
“Listen to me, men of Shechem, and may God listen to you. The Trees, tired of their state of freedom and equality bestowed by God, gathered to choose and anoint a king over them. They first approached the Olive-tree and said, ‘Reign over us.’
But the Olive-tree responded, ‘Shall I leave my fatness, which honors God and man, to trouble myself with the cares of governance and rule over the Trees?’
Next, they approached the Fig-tree, saying, ‘Come and reign over us.’
But the Fig-tree replied, ‘Shall I forsake my sweetness and my pleasant fruit to take upon myself the burdens of royalty and rule over the Trees?’
Then the Trees said to the Vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
The Vine also declined, saying, ‘Shall I leave my wine, which honors God and cheers man, to bring upon myself only trouble and anxiety and become king of the Trees? We are content with our current state. Seek another to reign over you.’
Finally, all the Trees turned to the Bramble and said, ‘Come and reign over us.’
The Bramble replied, ‘I will be your king; come and take shelter under my shadow and be safe. Obey me, and I will grant you my protection. But if you do not obey, a fire shall come forth from the Bramble and devour even the cedars of Lebanon.'”
This fable illustrates that the most worthless individuals are often the most presumptuous and eager to assume power.
