L
Legend
Guest
Jotham was telling a parable. It sounds as if the people just wanted a figurehead king, who would make them look more like their neighbors. The productive ‘trees’ can see this, and, frankly, have better things to do. Abimilech simply wanted power. He was a horrible example as a leader, and a human being! He wanted the job of king, though, and killed off his brothers to eliminate competition.
It never says that any of his brothers even wanted the job…Jotham, the only survivor of Abimilech’s rage, certainly didn’t. He was merely warning the people that they were making a mistake.
The whole book of Judges can be depressing. It depicted a very low point in Israel’s history. God had given them laws. and detailed instruction on how to approach him. But, they never completely gave up pagan practices, and it is easy to understand why they wanted a king!
It never says that any of his brothers even wanted the job…Jotham, the only survivor of Abimilech’s rage, certainly didn’t. He was merely warning the people that they were making a mistake.
The whole book of Judges can be depressing. It depicted a very low point in Israel’s history. God had given them laws. and detailed instruction on how to approach him. But, they never completely gave up pagan practices, and it is easy to understand why they wanted a king!