Judges 9:8-15

Living Bible

⁸ Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they asked the olive tree, ⁹ but it refused.

“‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses God and man, just to wave to and fro over the other trees?’ it asked.

¹⁰ “Then they said to the fig tree, ‘You be our king!’

¹¹ “But the fig tree also refused. ‘Should I quit producing sweetness and fruit just to lift my head above all the other trees?’ it asked.

¹² “Then they said to the grapevine, ‘You reign over us!’

¹³ “But the grapevine replied, ‘Shall I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and man, just to be mightier than all the other trees?’

¹⁴ “Then all the trees finally turned to the thorn bush. ‘You be our king!’ they exclaimed.

¹⁵ “And the thorn bush replied, ‘If you really want me, come and humble yourselves beneath my shade! If you refuse, let fire flame forth from me and burn down the great cedars of Lebanon!’