Jotham tells a story where trees seek a king, and the productive trees refuse while the bramble agrees to rule (Judges 9:7–15). He applies it as a warning about Shechem’s choice of Abimelech and speaks a curse-like verdict of mutual destruction if they acted in wrongdoing (Judges 9:16–20).
In Judges 9:7–21, Jotham publicly confronts Shechem after Abimelech is made king. He tells a story about trees seeking a king: productive trees refuse, but a bramble accepts and threatens fire. This scene comes right after Abimelech secures kingship at Shechem through money, violence, and the killing of Gideon’s sons, leaving Jotham as a lone survivor. Jotham’s speech functions like a public warning and interpretation of recent events, using a memorable story to judge the decision Shechem made.
Jotham’s speech is a public response to Abimelech’s rise at Shechem. Standing on Mount Gerizim, he calls the city leaders to listen, linking their willingness to hear with whether God will hear them (verse 7).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Judges 9:7-15, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
7When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said to them, Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign you over us.
9But the olive-tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?
10The trees said to the fig-tree, Come you, and reign over us.
11But the fig-tree said to them, Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?
12The trees said to the vine, Come you, and reign over us.
13The vine said to them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?
14Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come you, and reign over us.
15The bramble said to the trees, If in truth you 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.