Judges 9:7-21

Jotham's Fable. Only in an apologue could Jotham, the sole survivor of Abimelech's massacre, express what was in his bitter, broken heart. The point of his fable is easily caught. His father and his brothers were the fruitful trees olive, fig-tree and vine who declined to rule over the other trees; his half-brother is the bramble who has accepted the kingship, but who will presently set on fire the cedars of Lebanon. If the Shechemites have acted in good faith to Jerubbaal in choosing Abimelech as king, may they have joy of the choice; but if not, may their king be a devouring fire among them!

Judges 9:7. How Jotham got an audience at the top of Gerizim is not said. The language is not to be pressed, and a well- known crag overlooking the town has been pointed out as a natural pulpit.

Judges 9:9. Read Shall I leave my fatness, with which gods and men are honoured? This plain sense was avoided, from motives of reverence, in some versions, but see Judges 9:13, where read gods for God. Oil was used in Semitic religious observances, being poured upon the sacred stones which were associated with the Divine presence (Genesis 28:18; Genesis 35:14). Wine was used in libations and sacred feasts.

Judges 9:15. The bramble is the rhamnus; thorns in Psalms 58:9. The exquisite absurdity of the political situation at Shechem, as conceived by Jotham, is suggested by the bramble's self-complacent Come and put your trust in my shadow. Fine words, but the bramble will soon show its true character; the crackling of thorns under the cedars will reveal the incendiary.