To the Editor,

Abimelech has accomplished his dream of being king over Sechem. He has done it through campaign speeches of his mother’s brothers. He has done it through the murders of the 70 sons born to his father’s wives. All 70 except for the youngest son, Jotham, who managed somehow to hide.

As they were finishing naming Abimelech king, Jotham appears close enough that they can hear him but not put their hands on him. He tells them in Judges 9:7 “Listen to me, citizens of Sechem, so that God may listen to you.”

He tells the story of the day the trees decided to select a king for themselves. Each tree asked refuses because what they are already doing has great value to it. The olive tree produces olive oil with which to bless others. The fig tree produces a sweet fruit, and the grapevine the wine. It’s not worth giving up all this just to hold themselves up above all the other trees.

Then he asked the thorn bush to be their king. He would if all the other trees would come close to him, bow down, and be humble to him. If not, may a fire from him burn down the great cedars of Lebanon.

In verses 16-20 Jotham reminds the people of how Gideon brought peace to both the people of Israel and Canaan who live in Sechem together. Yet they have killed his sons. If they have done right, so be it. If they have not done right, may Abimelech destroy them, and they destroy him. Jotham went away to hide out of fear and to wait.

Mary C. Albertson

Albany, Kentucky