3 Abimelech's uncles talked it over with the leaders of Shechem who agreed, “Yes, it would be better for one of our relatives to be king.”
4 Then they gave Abimelech 70 pieces of silver from the temple of their god Baal Berith.Abimelech used the silver to hire a gang of rough soldiers who would do anything for money.
5 Abimelech and his soldiers went to his father's home in Ophrah and brought out Gideon's other sons to a large rock, where they murdered all 70 of them. Gideon's youngest son Jotham hid from the soldiers, but he was the only one who escaped.
6 The leaders of Shechem, including the priests and the military officers, met at the tree next to the sacred rock in Shechem to crown Abimelech king.
7 Jotham heard what they were doing. So he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted down to the people who were there at the meeting:Leaders of Shechem,listen to me,and maybe Godwill listen to you.
8 Once the trees searchedfor someone to be king;they asked the olive tree,“Will you be our king?”
9 But the olive tree replied,“My oil brings honorto people and gods.I won't stop making oil,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”