KJV ORIGINAL
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Once upon a time, the trees went out to choose a king to rule over them. They said to the olive tree, 'Come and be our king.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse begins a parable where trees are looking for someone to rule over them, starting by asking the olive tree to be their king.
📚 Historical Context
This is the opening line of Jotham's parable, told after his half-brother Abimelech killed their other brothers to become king of Israel. Jotham used this fable about trees choosing a king to warn the people of Shechem about the dangers of Abimelech's illegitimate rule. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, parables and fables were common ways to convey political and moral messages.
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