King of the Trees!
- Ken Kalis
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
The Parable of the Trees (Judges 9:7–15)
My father used to say that parables are “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” That phrase has stayed with me, because it captures what makes parables so powerful. They take the ordinary things of this world—trees, seeds, sheep, coins—and open them up to reveal eternal truth.
Jesus* (4BC -30 AD) used parables constantly in His teaching, but He was not the first. All through Scripture, God spoke to His people in parables and allegories, calling them back to Himself.
An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES
Check out more parables and poetry at my blog here: https://www.kenkalis.com/blog
One of the earliest comes in the book of Judges, when Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon*, (1249 BC) stood on Mount Gerizim and told a parable about trees searching for a king. It was an earthly story with a heavenly meaning—spoken to a people who had just chosen a thornbush to rule over them.
The Historical Setting
To understand this parable, we must step back into the turbulent period of the Judges. Gideon, also called Jerubbaal, had been raised up by the Lord to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.
By faith, he led a mere 300 men to victory over a vast enemy army (Judges 7). Yet after his death, Israel again turned to idolatry.
Gideon had many wives, and from them came seventy sons. But from a concubine in Shechem came another son—Abimelech. Unlike his father, Abimelech sought power for himself.
He convinced the leaders of Shechem to make him king, and in a brutal act, he murdered his seventy brothers on one stone, sparing only Jotham, the youngest, who escaped. It was in the aftermath of this massacre that Jotham lifted up his voice and told the Parable of the Trees.
The Parable Told
“The trees once went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” (Judges 9:8–9)
The fig tree and the vine likewise refused, choosing to remain faithful to their fruitful calling. At last the trees turned to the bramble. The bramble agreed, but warned that unless they submitted, fire would come from it to devour them.
The Meaning
Jotham’s meaning was clear. The people of Shechem had chosen poorly in elevating Abimelech. Unlike the fruitful olive, fig, and vine—symbols of abundance and blessing—he was like the bramble, barren, thorny, and destructive. In choosing him, they were choosing their own ruin.
The parable is thus both political and spiritual. It warns that people who turn from God’s ways will often settle for leaders who are self-serving, even cruel. As Proverbs reminds us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2).
A Spiritual Lesson
This story reaches beyond ancient Israel. It asks us today: what kind of leadership do we value? Do we honor those who bear fruit for God and bless others, or do we settle for brambles who promise much but destroy in the end?
Jesus Christ, the true King, stands in stark contrast to Abimelech. He did not seize power but laid down His life for the sheep. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Where the bramble devours, Christ restores. Where the bramble casts only thorns, Christ offers shade and living water.
A Prayerful Reflection
Lord Jesus, You are our righteous King and Shepherd. Guard us from the brambles of this world and teach us to discern true fruit from false promises. May our lives be fruitful like the olive, fig, and vine—bringing glory to You and blessing to others. Keep us under Your shadow, where there is life and safety forevermore. Amen.
And so, just as my father said, this is truly an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
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This parable was the lesson one day in 1993 at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick, N.J.
I was having a hard time teaching it, as it seemed so mundane..
Suddenly, a young mother began to weep.
"I want to live for Jesus," she said between tears.
This was the only time someone was saved during my Sunday school class.
Why? For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.- Hebrews 4:12
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It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
There is no night for in His light
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.
There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.
For it's no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
There is no night for in His light
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.
There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.
For it's no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
For it's no secret what God can do.
Stuart Carl Hamblen, 1950
When Hamblin quit drinking thanks to Billy Graham he began to lose favor with Hollywood. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard times were upon him.
During his struggle, John Wayne took him aside and told him all your troubles started when you 'got religion' and asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, "Yes". Then he said, "You liked your booze so much. Don't you ever miss it?" And the answer was, "No".
John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily.' And Hamblen response was, 'It's no big secret. All things are possible with God.' To this John said, 'That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it.'"
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