Abimelech, one of the sons of Gideon, convinced his brothers that he should be the ruler of their household and the household of Shechem, his mother’s father. They agreed, and gave him money to rule. Even though they endorsed him to rule, he still plotted with unsavory men to have all his brothers killed. Only one escaped, Jotham, who hid himself during the executions. Then Shechem made Abimelech King.
Jotham heard of Abimelech’s Ascension to the throne, and he cried out to Shechem a parable of a tree. The trees were to anoint a king. They asked the olive tree first, and he declined, citing his role giving oil by which to honor God and men. They then asked the fig tree, and he cited his needed fruit production and declined. They then asked the vine, and he cited his role providing wine and declined. Finally, they asked the bramble to reign. He said that he would reign if they really would follow him, and they could find shelter in his shade. However, if they were not sincere, fire would come out of the bramble and devour them.
This prophecy was in response to the horrid actions leading up to Abimelech’s anointing as King. In modern vernacular, it would be the equivalent of saying, “You deserve one another!” This foreshadowed the tumultuous nature of the future of Abimelech and Shechem. Be a person of integrity in your dealings with one another. Do not cheat, lie, steal, or kill your way into power. God promotes and God tears down. Be true to Him!
Devoted To You 