Judges 9:7-21
Summary for Judg 9:7-21: 9:7-21 a Jotham told a fable (a story in which plants and animals take on human attributes to make a moral point) to show what was happening (9:7-15 b). He then cursed Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem (9:16-21 c). If they had acted in bad faith, it would become evident (9:56-57 d). 9:7 e Mount Gerizim was the mountain of blessing opposite Mount Ebal, the mountain of cursing (Deut 11:29 f). Gerizim, situated immediately south of Shechem, was a natural stage for Jotham’s speech and also allowed him to escape when he was finished.Summary for Judg 9:8-13: 9:8-13 g Olives, figs, and grapes were fundamental to the agriculture of Canaan, yielding important produce and adding to the beauty of the landscape.
• To wave back and forth over the trees implied being visible and active while accomplishing nothing.
Summary for Judg 9:14-15: 9:14-15 h The trees, preferring an evil king to none at all (cp. 1 Sam 8:18-19 i), called on the thornbush, who, though neither useful nor pleasing to the eye, accepted the job. The person who had agreed to be king did not have more profitable work to do.
• Shade from the burning Middle Eastern sun was precisely what the thornbush could not produce. Accepting such an offer was both futile and foolish.
Summary for Judg 9:16-18: 9:16-18 j The people of Shechem had chosen to follow an unworthy man; they had also acted in bad faith by conspiring with Abimelech against Gideon’s family.
Summary for Judg 9:19-20: 9:19-20 k The Shechemites were invited to decide whether their actions merited blessing or cursing. The implication was that they had acted in bad faith, so they and Abimelech would destroy each other. The Lord is a devouring fire (Heb 12:29 l), and those who act unfaithfully prove his justice.
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