Judges 9:12

12 So the trees then said to the grapevine, "You come and be our king.'

Judges 9:12 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 9:12

Then said the trees unto the vine
Another emblem of good and useful men; and it may be observed, that Jotham takes no notice of any trees but fruitful ones till he comes to the bramble, and them only such as were well known, and of the greatest use, in the land of Judea, as olives, figs, and vines, see ( Deuteronomy 8:8 ) ( Habakkuk 3:17 )

come thou, and reign over us;
this Jarchi applies to Gideon; but since there are three sorts of trees brought into the fable, and when the kingdom was offered to Gideon, it was proposed to him, and to his son, and his son's son, and refused, some reference may be had unto it in this apologue. Abarbinel thinks three sorts of men are intended as proper persons for rule and government, as honourable ones, such as are wealthy and rich, and also of good behaviour to God and man, as Gideon's sons were; but Abimelech was all the reverse.

Judges 9:12 In-Context

10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, "You come and be our king.'

11 But the fig tree answered, "In order to govern you, I would have to stop producing my good sweet fruit.'

12 So the trees then said to the grapevine, "You come and be our king.'

13 But the vine answered, "In order to govern you, I would have to stop producing my wine, that makes gods and human beings happy.'

14 So then all the trees said to the thorn bush, "You come and be our king.'