Jotham directly addressed the people of Shechem, challenging their decision to make Abimelech king. He reminded them of Gideon’s righteousness and accused them of betraying his family.
by J. Wallis
Continuing with The Book of Judges in the Old Testament, today's theme is Jotham, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who is best remembered for his parable of the trees and his warning against unworthy leadership. His story is both compelling and instructive, carrying a moral lesson that remains relevant today.
Who Was Jotham?
Jotham was the youngest son of Gideon, one of Israel’s greatest judges. Gideon had seventy sons from multiple wives, and after his death, one of them, Abimelech, sought to become king. Jotham, however, was the sole survivor of Abimelech’s brutal massacre of his brothers.
Abimelech’s Rise to Power
After Gideon’s death, the Israelites once again turned away from God and worshiped Baal. Abimelech, a son of Gideon through a concubine, saw an opportunity to seize power. He went to his mother’s family in Shechem and convinced them to support him. With their backing, he hired mercenaries and murdered all of his seventy brothers—except for Jotham, who managed to escape.
Jotham’s Famous Parable
Jotham later stood on Mount Gerizim and addressed the people of Shechem with a parable. This speech, found in Judges 9:7-21, is the first recorded parable in the Bible.
The Parable of the Trees
In his parable, Jotham described how the trees sought a king to rule over them:
- The Olive Tree declined, saying it would rather produce oil than rule.
- The Fig Tree refused, preferring to provide sweet fruit.
- The Vine also rejected the offer, valuing its ability to produce wine.
- The Bramble (Thornbush), however, accepted and told the trees that if they truly wanted its rule, they should come and take refuge under its shade. If not, fire would come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.
The Meaning of the Parable
Jotham’s parable was a warning. The olive, fig, and vine trees represented good leaders who declined kingship because they preferred to serve in their natural ways. The bramble, however, symbolized Abimelech, an unworthy ruler who would bring destruction rather than prosperity. The bramble, being low to the ground and thorny, provided no real shade, much like Abimelech’s reign, which brought suffering and conflict.
Jotham’s Prophetic Warning
Jotham then directly addressed the people of Shechem, challenging their decision to make Abimelech king. He reminded them of Gideon’s righteousness and accused them of betraying his family. Jotham prophesied that if they had acted in bad faith, fire would come from Abimelech to destroy Shechem and vice versa.
The Downfall of Abimelech
Jotham’s words proved to be prophetic. After ruling Shechem for three years, Abimelech faced a rebellion. The people of Shechem turned against him, leading to a series of battles. Eventually, during an attack on a fortified city, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head, mortally wounding him. To avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman, he commanded his armor-bearer to finish him off with a sword.
The Legacy of Jotham
Jotham’s fate after his speech remains unknown, as the Bible does not provide further details about his life. However, his parable and warning continue to be a powerful message about leadership, justice, and the consequences of wickedness.
Lessons from Jotham’s Story
Jotham’s story offers several timeless lessons:
- Beware of unworthy leaders – Leadership should be entrusted to those with integrity and wisdom.
- Justice will prevail – Despite temporary success, corrupt rulers eventually face downfall.
- The power of words – Jotham’s speech carried lasting significance, showing that even those without military power can influence history through wisdom and truth.
- Faithfulness to God matters – The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God, leading to their suffering. Jotham’s story is another reminder of the importance of staying true to divine guidance.
In conclusion, the story of Jotham in the Book of Judges is a powerful testament to the importance of moral leadership and the inevitability of justice. His parable of the trees serves as a warning against choosing rulers based on ambition rather than character. Though Jotham’s role in the Bible is brief, his words continue to resonate as a cautionary tale about governance, betrayal, and divine justice. His message remains relevant today: A nation that chooses its leaders poorly will suffer, but truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail.