Jotham's parable in Judges 9 provides an excellent point of entry into this book's study of Hebrew Bible parables. Jotham is the lone survivor of his brother Abimelech's massacre of 70 of his siblings (v. 5). As with the parables in 2 Samuel 12 and 14, Jotham's parable addresses a conflict, specifically a murder that nearly destroys a kinship network. Yet, clearly, Jotham does not intend his parable to prompt any change of behavior among his addressees, namely the lords of Shechem. Nor does he show any concern for conflict resolution through his parable. He shows no interest in hearing how the Shechemites understand his parable. In fact, after he speaks his parable, he leaves immediately, without even giving them an opportunity to respond (v. 21).

Instead, the parable helps strengthen the judgment that Jotham calls down upon Abimelech, the house of Millo, and the lords of Shechem. By comparing their situation to the curse portion of his story, Jotham reinforces the negative judgment that his addressees face.