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Judges
Chapter 9
Verse 9

Judges 9:14

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’

American Standard Version (1901)

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

Bible in Basic English

Then all the trees said to the thorn, You come and be king over us.

Free Bible Version

Then all the trees asked the thorn bush, ‘You come and be our king.’

Geneva Bible 1599

Then said all the trees vnto the bramble, Come thou, and reigne ouer vs.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

Translation for Translators

“Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king!’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'

Noah Webster Bible

Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

World English Bible

“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’

Young's Literal Translation

And all the trees say unto the bramble, Come thou, reign over us.

Context

Jotham’s Parable

¹³But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ ¹⁴Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’

Sermons

Image of K.P. Yohannan

K.P. Yohannan

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Summary

In this verse, trees are personified as they speak to the bramble bush, asking it to reign over them. The bramble bush, often considered lowly and insignificant, accepts the offer to reign over the trees. This interaction serves as a parable, illustrating the consequences of seeking leadership from those who are unqualified or unworthy. It warns against placing power in the hands of those who lack integrity or true leadership qualities, as it can lead to chaos and destruction.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then said all the trees unto the bramble,.... Perceiving they could not prevail upon any of the useful and fruitful trees to take the government of them, they unite in a request to a bramble, scarce to be called a tree, and however a very barren and fruitless one, yea, hurtful and distressing: come thou, and reign over us; this respects Abimelech, and describes him as a mean person, the son of a concubine, as having no goodness in him, not any good qualifications to recommend him to government, but all the reverse, cruel, tyrannical, and oppressive; and this exposes the folly of the Shechemites, and their eagerness to have a king at any rate, though ever so mean and despicable, useless and pernicious.

Judges 9:14

Jotham’s Parable

¹³But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ ¹⁴Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’

American Standard Version (1901)

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

Bible in Basic English

Then all the trees said to the thorn, You come and be king over us.

Free Bible Version

Then all the trees asked the thorn bush, ‘You come and be our king.’

Geneva Bible 1599

Then said all the trees vnto the bramble, Come thou, and reigne ouer vs.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

Translation for Translators

“Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king!’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'

Noah Webster Bible

Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

World English Bible

“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’

Young's Literal Translation

And all the trees say unto the bramble, Come thou, reign over us.