1-2. Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to his uncles and all his mother’s relatives and said to them, “Ask all the leading men of Shechem, ‘What do you think is best, that seventy men rule you—all those sons of Jerub-Baal—or that one man rule? You’ll remember that I am your own flesh and blood.’”
10-11. The trees then said to Fig Tree,“You come and rule over us.”But Fig Tree said to them,“Am I no longer good for making sweets,My mouthwatering sweet fruits,and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
12-13. The trees then said to Vine,“You come and rule over us.”But Vine said to them,“Am I no longer good for making wine,Wine that cheers gods and men,and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
14-15. All the trees then said to Tumbleweed,“You come and reign over us.”But Tumbleweed said to the trees:“If you’re serious about making me your king,Come and find shelter in my shade.But if not, let fire shoot from Tumbleweedand burn down the cedars of Lebanon!”
16-20. “Now listen: Do you think you did a right and honorable thing when you made Abimelech king? Do you think you treated Jerub-Baal and his family well, did for him what he deserved? My father fought for you, risked his own life, and rescued you from Midian’s tyranny, and you have, just now, betrayed him. You massacred his sons—seventy men on a single stone! You made Abimelech, the son by his maidservant, king over Shechem’s leaders because he’s your relative. If you think that this is an honest day’s work, this way you have treated Jerub-Baal today, then enjoy Abimelech and let him enjoy you. But if not, let fire break from Abimelech and burn up the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo. And let fire break from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and burn up Abimelech.”