Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsJudges 9

The trees went to anoint a king.

^[1] According to the history Joatham Gedeon's youngest son, by a parable justly expostulateth the injury done by the Sichemites to his father's house, in preferring a base bond-woman's son, and cruelly murdering the rest of his sons: who with much travail, and many dangers of his own life, had delivered them from servitude. But in the spiritual sense, which (as the ancient fathers note) is chiefly intended, ^[2] Idolaters and Heretics are reproved, who rather accept of unjust usurpers, that will serve their licentious appetites, and maintain vice and wickedness, than to be ruled by just and lawful Superiors, appointed by God's ordinance, endued with grace of the Holy Ghost (signified by the olive tree;) such as bring forth wholesome sweet virtues signified by the fig tree;) and are replenished with admirable fortitude (signified by the vine tree;) and in their places set up base, ambitious, cruel, and crabbed spirits, signified by the bramble, or brier. Thus Nemrod, Abimelech ^[3], Mahomet, and innumerable other tyrants have been advanced, & especially Antichrist shall be extolled above all that is called God, or is worshipped ^[4], and shall most cruelly persecute all Catholics, that will not conform themselves to his proceedings. But in fine (as here is prefigured in Abimelech) fire shall rise against this bramble Antichrist, and shall devour him and all his together. S. Beda. qq. in lib. Iudic. c. 6.

• 1 Ungrateful people render injuries for benefits.
• 2 Infidels promote wicked men to authority.
• 3 Abimelech a figure of Antichrist.
• 4 2. Thes. 2.