Judges 9:10

And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, [and] reign over us.

And the trees {H6086} said {H559} to the fig tree {H8384}, Come {H3212} thou, and reign {H4427} over us.

So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You, come and rule over us!'

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

And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

Commentary

Judges 9:10 is a line from the famous parable told by Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), to the men of Shechem. This parable is a powerful indictment against their decision to anoint Abimelech as king, after he brutally murdered all but one of his seventy half-brothers.

Context of Jotham's Parable

The Book of Judges describes a tumultuous period in Israel's history, characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. After Gideon's death, his ambitious son Abimelech consolidated power through violence. Jotham, the sole survivor of Abimelech's massacre, delivered this parable from Mount Gerizim, addressing the citizens of Shechem who had supported Abimelech. The parable serves as a prophetic warning of the disastrous consequences of their choice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of Worthy Leadership: In the parable, the trees first approach the olive tree (representing utility and blessing), then the fig tree (representing sweetness and good fruit), and the vine (representing joy and refreshment). All three refuse kingship, preferring to continue producing their valuable contributions. This symbolizes the refusal of truly beneficial and wise leaders to seek power for its own sake, preferring instead to fulfill their God-given purpose.
  • The Nature of True Leadership: The fig tree, like the olive tree, represents a leader who provides genuine nourishment and joy. Its refusal to "reign over us" highlights that true value often lies in humble service and productivity, rather than in wielding political power. The parable critiques the idea that leadership must involve abandoning one's primary, beneficial function.
  • Foreshadowing of Folly: The trees' subsequent approach to the bramble (Judges 9:14-15) underscores the folly of Shechem's choice. By rejecting those who offer true substance, they are left with a destructive, thorny, and ultimately barren ruler. This verse sets the stage for the parable's climax, where an unworthy leader is chosen.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the bracketed "[and]" in "Come thou, [and] reign over us." This indicates that the word "and" is implied for smoother English reading but is not explicitly present in the original Hebrew. The directness of "Come thou, reign over us" emphasizes the urgency and direct appeal of the trees in Jotham's narrative.

Related Scriptures

Jotham's parable is a unique literary device in the Old Testament, illustrating principles of leadership and judgment. It contrasts sharply with later discussions of kingship, such as Israel's eventual demand for a king, which God permitted but with warnings about the burdens of monarchy. The parable's emphasis on producing "fruit" can also be spiritually linked to concepts like bearing spiritual fruit as a sign of true discipleship.

Practical Application

This verse, within Jotham's parable, offers timeless wisdom about leadership. It encourages us to discern carefully who we empower, whether in government, church, or community. Do we seek leaders who genuinely contribute and serve, or those who merely desire power and promise only a "shadow" without substance? The parable warns against the dangers of preferring ambitious, self-serving individuals over those who embody true humility, wisdom, and productive character.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.