In Palestine the olive tree is the most valuable tree known. Extensive groves of such trees still abound in the fertile vale of Shechem. The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine, which were offered the kingship in succession, represent men who, like Gideon, were interested in the welfare of the community more than in personal advancement.
To anoint a king.
Jotham was well acquainted with the desire of the people to have a king, not only to be like the other nations around them, but because they felt that their frequent sufferings at the hands of their enemies were due to a defect in their form of leadership, whereas their sufferings were due to their apostasy. This demand for a king first expressed itself in the people’s offer to make Gideon king. It continued to grow stronger until this abortive attempt was made. In the days of Saul it became so strong that the prophet Samuel, under instruction from God, finally acquiesced and led out in choosing a king.
Trees went forth.
Allegories of this sort in which inanimate things speak and act were loved by the people of antiquity.