ity Shechem, and cried out so as to be heard by the multitude,
who were attentive to him. He desired they would consider what he was
going to say to them: so when silence was made, he said, That when the
trees had a human voice, and there was an assembly of them gathered
together, they desired that the fig-tree would rule over them; but when
that tree refused so to do, because it was contented to enjoy that
honor which belonged peculiarly to the fruit it bare, and not that which
should be derived to it from abroad, the trees did not leave off their
intentions to have a ruler, so they thought proper to make the offer of
that honor to the vine; but when the vine was chosen, it made use of the
same words which the fig-tree had used before, and excused itself from
accepting the government: and when the olive-tree had done the same, the
brier, whom the trees had desired to take the kingdom, [it is a sort
of wood good for firing,] it promised to take the government, and to be
zealous in the exercise of it; but that then they must sit down under
its shadow, and if they should plot against it to destroy it, the
principle of fire that was in it should destroy them. He told them,
that what he had said was no laughing matter; for that when they had
experienced many blessings from Gideon, they overlooked Abimelech, when
he overruled all, and had joined with him in slaying his brethren; and
that he was no better than a fire himself. So when he had said this, he
went away, and lived privately in the mountains for three years, out of
fear of Abimelech.

3. A little while after this festival, the Shechemites, who had now
repented themselves of having slain the sons of Gideon, drove Abimelech
away, both from their city and their tribe; whereupon he contrived how
he might distress their city. Now at the season of vintage, the people
were afraid to go out and gather their fruits, for fear Abimelech should
do them some mischief. Now it happened that there had come to them a man
of authority, one Gaal, that sojourned with them, having his armed men
and his kinsmen with him; so the Shechemites desired that he would
allow them a guard during their vintage; whereupon he accepted of their
desires, and so the people went out, and Gaal with them at the head of
his soldiery. So they gathered their fruit with safety; and when
they were at supper in several companies, they then ventured to curse
Abimelech openly; and the magistrates laid ambushes in