The trees went forth once to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign you over us.

But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the trees said to the fig tree, Come you, and reign over us.

But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lies to the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

Then said the trees unto the vine, Come you, and reign over us.

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

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

And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

And Abimelech went up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.

And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and struck Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.