Judges 9:1-20

1Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal [Gideon], went to Shechem to see the uncles on his mother’s side of the family. He spoke to them and his mother’s whole family.

2He said, “Please ask all citizens of Shechem, ‘What seems best to you? Do you really want all of Jerubbaal’s 70 sons to rule you or just one man? Remember, I’m your own flesh and blood.’ ”

3His uncles repeated everything he said to all citizens of Shechem. They were persuaded to follow Abimelech because he was their relative.

4So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal Berith. With the silver, Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to follow him.

5Then he went to his father’s home in Ophrah. There he executed his 70 brothers, Jerubbaal’s sons. But Jotham, Jerubbaal’s youngest son, survived because he hid.

6All the citizens from Shechem and Beth Millo united. They went to the oak tree that was still standing in Shechem and proclaimed Abimelech king.

7When Jotham was told about this, he went to a high spot on Mount Gerizim. He shouted to them, “Listen to me, you citizens of Shechem, so that God might listen to you.

8“The trees went to anoint someone to be king over them. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king!’

9But the olive tree responded, ‘Should I stop producing oil, which people use to honor gods and humans, in order to rule the trees?’

10Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and be our king!’

11But the fig tree responded, ‘Should I stop producing my good, sweet fruit in order to rule the trees?’

12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You come and be our king!’

13But the grapevine responded, ‘Should I stop producing my wine, which makes gods and humans happy, in order to rule the trees?’

14Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘You come and be our king!’

15But the thornbush responded to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me to be your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. But if not, fire will come out of the thornbush and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.’

16“If you acted with sincerity and integrity when you made Abimelech king, ⌞be happy.⌟ If you treated Jerubbaal and his family well, if you treated him as he deserved, be happy.

17My father fought for you. He risked his life and rescued you from Midian.

18But today you have attacked my father’s family. You have executed his 70 sons. You have made Abimelech, who is the son of my father’s slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem just because he’s your brother.

19So if you are now acting with sincerity and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his family, then be happy with Abimelech and let Abimelech be happy with you.

20But if that’s not the case, let fire come out of Abimelech and burn up citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo. Also let fire come out of citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo and burn up Abimelech.”