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Judges 9:15

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And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, [then] come [and] put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

And the bramble {H329} said {H559} unto the trees {H6086}, If in truth {H571} ye anoint {H4886} me king {H4428} over you, then come {H935} and put your trust {H2620} in my shadow {H6738}: and if not, let fire {H784} come out {H3318} of the bramble {H329}, and devour {H398} the cedars {H730} of Lebanon {H3844}.

The thorn bush replied, 'If you really make me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. But if not, let fire come out of the thorn bush and burn down the cedars of the L'vanon!'

But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Commentary

Judges 9:15 is the concluding and climactic verse of Jotham's famous parable, delivered from Mount Gerizim to the leaders of Shechem. This parable serves as a sharp rebuke and prophetic warning against their decision to make Abimelech, the illegitimate son of Gideon, their king.

Context of Judges 9:15

Following the death of Gideon, his son Abimelech ruthlessly murdered 69 of his 70 half-brothers to secure power in Shechem (Judges 9:5). Jotham, the youngest son, was the only survivor. In this context, Jotham stands on Mount Gerizim and recounts a vivid parable where the trees seek to anoint a king over them. After the noble olive, fig, and vine refuse the kingship, the worthless bramble accepts, but with an arrogant and threatening condition.

The "bramble" in this verse clearly represents Abimelech – a man of low character and destructive potential. The "trees" symbolize the people of Israel, particularly the leaders of Shechem, while the "cedars of Lebanon" represent the most prominent and powerful among them, who would ironically fall victim to the bramble's destructive nature.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unfit Leadership: The central theme is the absurdity and danger of choosing an unworthy and unqualified leader. The bramble, a thorny, unproductive shrub, is a stark contrast to the fruit-bearing trees and the majestic cedars, highlighting Abimelech's unsuitability for kingship.
  • Arrogance and Threat: The bramble's demand for the trees to "put your trust in my shadow" is deeply ironic. A bramble offers no shade or protection, only thorns. Its immediate threat of "fire" if its demands are not met reveals its true, destructive character and foreshadows Abimelech's violent reign and ultimate downfall (Judges 9:56-57).
  • Consequences of Poor Choices: Jotham's parable serves as a prophetic warning about the dire consequences of making a covenant with an unrighteous and self-serving leader. The fire from the bramble ultimately consumes both the "cedars of Lebanon" (the people of Shechem) and the bramble itself.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "bramble" is 'atād, referring to a thorny, ignoble shrub, often used for kindling. Its worthlessness contrasts sharply with the valuable, shade-giving trees. The "cedars of Lebanon" (Hebrew: 'erez ha-levânôn) symbolize strength, majesty, and enduring power. The vivid contrast between the humble bramble and the stately cedars emphasizes the shocking and unnatural inversion of authority that Abimelech represents, and the destructive power of a seemingly insignificant but malevolent force.

Practical Application

Judges 9:15 offers timeless lessons on leadership and discernment. It urges us to:

  • Choose Leaders Wisely: Evaluate the character, motives, and true nature of those who seek authority, whether in government, church, or community. True leaders serve and protect, rather than dominate and destroy.
  • Beware of Empty Promises: Recognize that those who offer "shadow" (protection or benefit) but possess no real capacity or good intent will ultimately bring harm.
  • Understand Consequences: Be mindful that poor choices in leadership can lead to widespread suffering and destruction, as illustrated by the tragic end of Abimelech and Shechem. This parable reminds us that there are consequences for aligning with self-serving ambition rather than godly principles.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 30:2 (5 votes)

    That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

  • Hosea 14:7 (4 votes)

    They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof [shall be] as the wine of Lebanon.

  • Judges 9:20 (4 votes)

    But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

  • Isaiah 2:13 (4 votes)

    And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, [that are] high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

  • Psalms 104:16 (3 votes)

    The trees of the LORD are full [of sap]; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

  • 2 Kings 14:9 (3 votes)

    And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that [was] in Lebanon sent to the cedar that [was] in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that [was] in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.

  • Daniel 4:12 (3 votes)

    The leaves thereof [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.