Jotham’s Fable Series

The method of instruction by way of parables is an ancient way, and very useful, especially if one intends to use them to give reprimands. In this case, the parable is used by Jotham to criticize Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The condensed moral of the whole fable is this: Weak, worthless, and wicked men, will do whatever is necessary to thrust them into power; but, in the end, they will bring ruin upon themselves, and on the unhappy people over whom they preside.

General Notes

[1](1 Sam. 8:7; NLT): “Do everything they say to you,” the LORD replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer.” They have rejected me—They wish to put their government in the hands of a mortal, which was always in the hands of their GOD. But hearken unto their voice—grant them what they request. So we find God grants that in his displeasure which he withholds in his mercy.—Adam Clarke's Commentary

[2](Judges 9:5; NKJV) “Then he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.”

[3](Psalms 52:8; NKJV) “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” I shall be in the house of God, full of spiritual vigor, bringing forth evergreen leaves and annual fruit, as the olive does when planted in a proper soil and good situation. It does not mean that there were olive-trees planted in God's house; but he was in God's house, as the olive was in its proper place and soil.—Adam Clarke's Commentary

[4](Psalms 104:16; NLT) “The trees of the LORD are well cared for— the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.” God's providence not only extends to (men and animals) but also to the trees of the field and forest. Many of these are not only sustained but planted by his providence. Who ever planted the seeds of the cedars of Lebanon, or of the thousands of woods and forests on the globe? God himself sowed those seeds, and they have sprung up and flourished without the care of man.—Adam Clarke's Commentary

[5](Exodus 30.24, 25; NKJV) “five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.” The compounded product was only used by the wealthy because it was very expensive; but those who couldn’t afford it used only olive oil.

[6](Exod. 27.20; NKJV) "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.”

[7]promoted. The word means literally to move unsteadily about, to move hither and thither, to wander to and fro, and to exchange my sweet tranquility, for incessant cares and travels; to stagger, as in Ps. 107.27, to shake, as the leaves of a tree, Is. 7.2. Here it refers to the instability of worldly greatness, or perhaps, as some suppose, to the distractions and cares of royalty. The meaning is the same in verses 11 and 13.