“It is a well-known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it… Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” – Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
When Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal decided that he wanted to rule over Shechem, he persuaded people to make him their king because he was related to them. Then, to secure his hold on his new political position, he killed his seventy brothers. One of this many brothers, however, managed to escape. Jotham recognized the dangers that his brother posed to Shechem as their leader, so he spoke up. From a mountaintop, Jotham shouted down to those gathered for Abimelek’s crowning and told this parable:
“One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’
“But the olive tree answered, “Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?”
“Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’
“But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’
“Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’
“But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’
“Finally all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘Come and be our king.’
“The thorn bush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'”
The world is full of many people of various dispositions and talents. Some people have the gift and skills of leadership, but these skills can be applied in many situations. Much like the olive tree, fig tree, and vine, some people choose not to run for political office because they are invested in teaching or running businesses or growing food or providing healthcare or caring for the vulnerable.
Then, like the trees in the story, we become frantic. We feel a need for a leader – any leader! So we settle for the thorn bush. We settle for someone like Abimelek simply because he’s related to us, regardless of whether he’s suited for leadership. Then, when the thorn bush takes up his throne, we see his true colors. If we really wanted the thorn bush and everything he stands for to guide us, then we could rest in his shade. We could rest in our confidence in him. But when we discover that our newly anointed king is not who we thought he was, fire comes out from the thornbush, destroying the trees who elected him in the first place.
Despite Jotham’s warnings, the people crowned Abimelek king. After ruling for three years, the people of Shechem began to rebel against Abimelek. A fight for the throne broke out, and in the midst of battle, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelek’s head, bringing a gruesome end to his reign.
Neglected Word 