Judges 9:7-19

7When Jotham heard the news of what had happened, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim. He stood there and he shouted to the people, ‘Leaders of Shechem, listen to me! Then perhaps God will listen to you.

8One day, the trees decided to choose a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, “Be our king.”

9But the olive tree replied, “My oil pleases men and even the gods. I will not stop making my oil so that I can rule over all you other trees!”

10Then the trees said to the fig tree, “Come and be our king.”

11The fig tree replied, “I will not stop making my good, sweet figs so that I can rule over you.”

12Then the trees said to the vine, “Come and be our king.”

13But the vine answered, “Wine from my grapes makes gods and people happy. I will not stop making wine so that I can rule over you.”

14Finally, the trees said to the thorn bush, “Come and be our king.”

15The thorn bush said to the trees, “If you really want to choose me as your king, come here. Hide under my branches to keep safe. If not, I will cause fire to come out from the thorn bush. It will burn up all the big cedar trees in Lebanon!”

16When you chose Abimelech to be your king, you have not been faithful to Gideon and his family. You have not given Gideon the honour that he deserves.

17My father Gideon fought to save you. He did not try to keep his own life safe. He rescued you from the power of the Midianites.

18But you have turned against my father's family today. You killed his 70 sons on one rock. You have made Abimelech king because he belongs to your family. He is the son of my father's slave wife.

19If you have really been faithful to Gideon and his family today, I pray that Abimelech will make you happy! I pray that you will make Abimelech happy, too!