ARE THERE FABLES IN THE BIBLE?

 JOTHAM'S FABLE

FABLE BY GIDEON'S YOUNGEST SON

Fables often feature non-human characters, like animals or inanimate objects, that are given human characteristics. These characters are said to think, talk, and act like people.

"One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to an olive tree, ‘Be our king.’

“But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my olive oil? It’s used to honor gods and people alike. Should I give that up just to rule over the trees?’

“Next, the trees said to a fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’

“But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit? It’s so good and sweet. Should I give that up just to rule over the trees?’

“Then the trees said to a vine, ‘Come and be our king.’

“But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine? It cheers up gods and people alike. Should I give that up just to rule over the trees?’

“Finally, all the trees spoke to a bush that had thorns. They said, ‘Come and be our king.’

“The bush asked the trees, ‘Do you really want to anoint me as king over you? If you do, come and rest in my shade. But if you don’t, I will destroy you! Fire will come out of me and burn up the cedar trees of Lebanon!’

Judges 9:8-15  NIRV (New International Readers Version)

Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon,  who missed the massacre orchestrated by his half-brother, Abimelech. Jotham's fable is a curse against Abimelech and Shechem's leaders, predicting that they will destroy each other.

The fable uses trees to represent people of Sheckem, and the bramble bush to represent Abimelch.  The fable's message is that a bramble bush would not make a good king over the trees.