Judges 9 14

Judges 9:14 kjv

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

Judges 9:14 nkjv

"Then all the trees said to the bramble, 'You come and reign over us!'

Judges 9:14 niv

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

Judges 9:14 esv

Then all the trees said to the bramble, 'You come and reign over us.'

Judges 9:14 nlt

"Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said,
'Come, you be our king!'

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 14 Meaning

Judges 9:14 is the climatic moment in Jotham's famous parable, where the trees, having been rejected by the noble olive, fig, and vine, turn in desperation to the most lowly and least desirable plant: the bramble. It signifies the complete moral and spiritual degradation of the people of Shechem (and metaphorically, Israel) in their choice of Abimelech, a treacherous and destructive leader, to rule over them. This verse highlights the folly of seeking power outside of wisdom, divine guidance, or integrity, and implies the devastating consequences of such a choice.

Judges 9 14 Context

Judges chapter 9 marks a dark turning point in Israel's early history, highlighting a profound breakdown in spiritual discernment and leadership. Following the death of Gideon, his ambitious and ruthless son Abimelech—born of a concubine and therefore of lesser status among Gideon's seventy sons—seizes power in Shechem. He brutally murders all but one of his seventy half-brothers to secure his claim to rule, a stark rejection of God-ordained leadership and a demonstration of raw ambition. Jotham, the sole surviving brother, delivers this parable from Mount Gerizim to the men of Shechem (Jdg 9:7-15) as a stinging rebuke and a prophetic warning.

The historical context is the period of the Judges, a time characterized by spiritual and political instability where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6, 21:25). There was no central king, leading to internal strife and vulnerability to external enemies. While this lack of centralized rule allowed for significant independence, it often spiraled into anarchy. Jotham's parable captures a pivotal moment where the desire for a human king, absent of divine appointment or true wisdom, emerges through a tragically flawed choice in Abimelech, foreshadowing later struggles Israel would face with human monarchy. Shechem, itself a place of significant covenant renewals in Israel's history (Josh 24), now exemplifies a profound deviation from covenant faithfulness by choosing a murderer to be their king.

Judges 9 14 Word analysis

• Then (wa-yō-mə-rū): This connective marks a progression in the parable, indicating that this desperate appeal follows the rejections by the more noble plants.
• all (kōl - כָּל): Meaning "all," "every," "whole." This word emphasizes the collective, universal appeal from "the trees," highlighting a complete consensus or shared desperation among the Shechemite people in seeking any form of leadership, even one clearly detrimental.
• the trees (hā-‘ē-ṣîm - הָעֵצִים, from ‘ēṣ, meaning "tree," "wood"): In Jotham's parable, the trees represent the various factions or types of leaders and, broadly, the men of Shechem (and by extension, Israel) who seek a king. Their search reflects the broader societal yearning for order but demonstrates their tragic misjudgment.
• said (yō-mə-rū, from ’āmar, meaning "to say," "to speak"): A straightforward declaration, conveying the unified decision of the trees.
• to the bramble (lab-ba-ṭād - לַבָּטָד, from bāṭād, meaning "bramble," "thorn bush," "blackberry bush"): This is the focal point of the verse.
  • Bramble (בָּטָד): A wild, thorny, unproductive shrub that yields no valuable fruit, oil, or timber. It offers no beneficial shade and is known for its ability to ignite quickly and cause destructive fires. In this context, it is the antithesis of the productive, life-sustaining plants (olive, fig, vine). It powerfully symbolizes Abimelech himself: his common and illegitimate lineage, his barrenness in terms of beneficial leadership, and his dangerous, destructive nature. The choice of the bramble illustrates a profound degradation in leadership preference—a turning from inherent goodness to a parasitic and painful form of rule.
• ‘You (’at-tāh - אַתָּה, second person masculine singular pronoun): A direct and personal invitation to the bramble, implying an active appeal for it to take the throne.
• come (bōw’ - בּוֹא, meaning "to come," "to enter"): An urgent call, demonstrating the trees' active desire for a leader, even a flawed one.
• and reign (ū-mā-lōḵ - וּמְלֹךְ, from mālak, meaning "to reign," "to be king"): This imperative signifies the transfer of royal authority and power. The act of giving kingship, regardless of the recipient's worthiness, underscores the desperation for political order in the chaotic era of the Judges. It is the core request, embodying their desire for a human king, even if ill-conceived.
• over us’ (‘ā-lê-nū - עָלֵינוּ, meaning "over us," "upon us"): Denotes submission and authority, emphasizing that the chosen leader would rule over the people, highlighting the subservience implicit in their plea for kingship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then all the trees said to the bramble": This phrase dramatically sets up the final, tragic irony of the parable. It encapsulates the complete failure of the community to find suitable leadership among the honorable, and their subsequent descent to seeking it from the least worthy and most destructive source. It underscores the unanimous (if foolish) consent of the populace to such a leader.
• "‘You come and reign over us.’": This direct quotation is a concise summary of the desperate invitation. It highlights the willing subjugation of the people to a leader who promises no good. The brevity of the request implies both a hasty and poorly considered decision, and the simple handing over of authority to a power that will ultimately be destructive. It also marks the abandonment of true discerning leadership for the mere establishment of a ruling authority.

Judges 9 14 Bonus section

• A Satire on Kingship: Jotham's parable, culminating in this verse, is often seen as a subtle but biting satire against the concept of human kingship, especially a kingship established by human will rather than divine ordination. It suggests that good and productive entities are reluctant to engage in the political burdens of "reigning," implying that only those who are worthless or destructive are truly eager for unchecked power. This sets the stage for the ambivalent view of monarchy presented throughout the Deuteronomistic history.
• Rejection of the "Good" for the "Expedient": The repeated refusal of the noble trees to become king implies a deeper theological point: that those truly valuable and aligned with God's design (producing oil for anointing and light, fruit for sustenance and joy, wine for celebration) understand their God-given purpose and are unwilling to sacrifice it for a role of human power that might divert them from their divine service. This highlights the Shechemites' folly in overlooking intrinsic worth and seeking external governance regardless of the cost.
• The Nature of Curses and Prophecies: This verse initiates the most dangerous and damaging proposition in the parable, which immediately leads to the bramble's prophetic curse (Judg 9:15). Jotham’s prophecy from the mountain about fire consuming the cedars of Lebanon (the mighty and noble) due to the bramble (the insignificant yet destructive) dramatically contrasts the chosen leadership and its anticipated ruinous outcome, demonstrating how a community’s choices can invite divine judgment.

Judges 9 14 Commentary

Judges 9:14 forms the grim climax of Jotham's fable, crystallizing the profound misguidedness of the men of Shechem. After being rejected by the noble olive, fig, and vine—symbols of prosperity, spiritual vitality, and joy that fulfill divine and natural purposes—the desperate "trees" (representing the populace) turn to the bramble. This is not a choice of merit but of last resort, a sign of their spiritual bankruptcy and a readiness to embrace any authority, however dangerous, to fill a power vacuum.

The bramble is the perfect analogy for Abimelech: ignoble in origin, yielding no benefit (fruit, oil, shade), yet sharp, prone to burning (representing destruction), and utterly selfish. Its sole "use" is to cause harm and instability. The invitation to "reign over us" by the trees exposes their desperate search for order but their fundamental failure to discern true, beneficial leadership. True leaders, like the olive, fig, and vine, are too busy fulfilling their inherent purpose to "sway over" others in an arbitrary kingship. Their worth lies in what they produce for others, not what they dominate.

This verse carries a profound warning against seeking authority based on expediency or personal ambition rather than divine calling, character, or genuine service. It foreshadows the tragic fulfillment of Jotham's curse (Judg 9:15, 9:20, 9:56-57) where both Abimelech and the men of Shechem are consumed by the "fire" (conflict) of their own ill-conceived alliance. It also resonates as a proto-critique of the monarchy, highlighting the perils of Israel's future desire for a king chosen by human will rather than divine selection, which would ultimately lead to kings who were thorns rather than fruitful trees. The story emphasizes that accepting destructive power will inevitably lead to destruction for all involved.