6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, all of Beth Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the terebinth tree at the pillar that was in Shechem.
The Parable of the Trees
7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of aMount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them:
“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you!
“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you!
8 “Thea trees once went forth to anoint a king over them.
And they said to the olive tree,
b‘Reign over us!’
And they said to the olive tree,
b‘Reign over us!’
9 But the olive tree said to them,
‘Should I cease giving my oil,
aWith which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
‘Should I cease giving my oil,
aWith which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
11 But the fig tree said to them,
‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’
‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’
13 But the vine said to them,
‘Should I cease my new wine,
aWhich cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
‘Should I cease my new wine,
aWhich cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’
15 And the bramble said to the trees,
‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my ashade;
But if not, blet fire come out of the bramble
And devour the ccedars of Lebanon!’
‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my ashade;
But if not, blet fire come out of the bramble
And devour the ccedars of Lebanon!’
16 “Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and sincerity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him aas he deserves—
17 for my afather fought for you, risked his life, and bdelivered you out of the hand of Midian;
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Book Notes:
Robertson's Book Notes (NT)
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