2
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better[a] for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and tenpersons,reign over you, or that onereign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3
And his mother'sbrethrenspake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their heartsinclined to follow[b]Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelechhiredvain and lightpersons, which followedhim.
5
And he went unto his father'shouse at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and tenpersons, upon onestone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngestson of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo*, and went, and madeAbimelechking, by the plain[c] of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mountGerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree,Reign thou over us.
9
But the olive treesaid unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honourGod and man, and go[d] to be promoted over the trees?
10
And the treessaid to the fig tree,Come thou, and reign over us.
11
But the fig treesaid unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my goodfruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12
Then said the trees unto the vine,Come thou, and reign over us.