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Judges 9:8

Authority and leadership

6 Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.

7 When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.

One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

9 But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’

10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
KJV
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
WEB
The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
ASV
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
DARBY
The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign over us.
BLB
The trees have diligently gone to anoint over them a king. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
ÅB
Det hendte engang at trærne ville salve seg en konge, og de sa til oljetreet: Vær konge over oss!
OTB
Trærne satte en gang ut for å utnevne en konge over seg selv, og de sa til oliventreet: 'Hersk over oss!'
B1930
Det hendte engang at trærne vilde salve sig en konge, og de sa til oljetreet: Vær konge over oss!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 4:10–18

    In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great.

    Read in context

  • Judges 8:22–23

    Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 14:9

    But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.

    Read in context

  • Ezekiel 17:3–10

    and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

    Read in context