6. Then all of the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together. They gathered beside the great tree at the stone pillar in Shechem. There they made Abimelech their king.
7. When Jotham heard this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. Jotham shouted to the people: “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem. Then God may listen to you!
8. One day the trees decided to appoint a king to rule over them. They said to the olive tree, ‘You be king over us!’
9. “But the olive tree said, ‘Men and gods are honored by my oil. Should I stop making it just to go and sway over the other trees?’
10. “Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king!’
11. “But the fig tree answered, ‘Should I stop making my sweet and good fruit? Should I stop just to go and sway over the other trees?’
12. “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king!’
13. “But the vine answered, ‘My wine makes men and gods happy. Should I stop making it just to go and sway over the trees?’
14. “Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’
15. “But the thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to appoint me king over you, come and find shelter in my shade! But if you do not want to do this, let fire come out of the thornbush. Let the fire burn up the cedars of Lebanon!’
16. “Now, were you completely honest and sincere when you made Abimelech king? Have you been fair to Gideon and his family? Have you treated Gideon as you should?
17. Remember, my father fought for you. He risked his life to save you from the power of the Midianites.