Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 9:7-21
JOTHAM’S PARABLE, Judges 9:7-21. The following beautiful apologue, commonly called the parable of Jotham, is rather a fable than a parable. The parable moves in the higher realm of spiritual thought. Its imagery is always taken from real life, and its narrative that which may have been objectively true, and often has its parallel in the history of man. See note, Matthew 13:3. The fable is based on imaginary actions of irrational creatures or inanimate things, and can therefore never be true... read more
Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Judges 9:18
And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)Ye have slain — Abimelech's fact is justly charged upon them, as done by their consent, approbation and assistance.Maidservant — His concubine, whom he so calls by way of reproach.Over Shechem — By which limitation of their power, and his kingdom, he reflects... read more