6. All the citizens from Shechem and Beth Millo united. They went to the oak tree that was still standing in Shechem and proclaimed Abimelech king.
7. When 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!’
9. But the olive tree responded,‘Should I stop producing oil,which people use to honor gods and humans,in order to rule the trees?’
10. Then the trees said to the fig tree,‘You come and be our king!’
11. But the fig tree responded,‘Should I stop producing my good, sweet fruitin order to rule the trees?’
12. Then the trees said to the grapevine,‘You come and be our king!’
13. But the grapevine responded,‘Should I stop producing my wine,which makes gods and humans happy,in order to rule the trees?’
14. Then all the trees said to the thornbush,‘You come and be our king!’
15. But 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 thornbushand burn up the cedars of Lebanon.’