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For teachers and parents. Prints separately from the student sheets.

Judges 9 · For teachers and parents

Answer Key: Abimelech and Jotham's Story

Answers here are a guide. Welcome any answer that shows a child is thinking about the story, and celebrate their effort. Talk About It questions are open, so they have no set answers.

PreschoolThe Trees Choose a King

treegrapesmountaintower

Coloring and finding page: any careful coloring is a win. Help your child point to and name each picture above.

KindergartenThe Trees Talk

TREE → picture 3VINE → picture 1BRAMBLE → picture 4MOUNTAIN → picture 2

Grade 1Jotham's Story

Jotham stood on a mountain. → picture 4The olive tree would not be king. → picture 3The fig tree would not be king. → picture 1The vine would not be king. → picture 5The bramble said, Be in my shade. → picture 2

Order:

1. Shechem makes Abimelech king2. Jotham speaks from Mount Gerizim3. The trees ask the bramble4. God repays wickedness

Grade 2A Story About Trees

  1. Who wanted to be king? Abimelech (circle)
  2. Who hid and was safe? Jotham (circle)
  3. What did the olive tree say? No (circle)
  4. What did the thorn bush say? Come rest in my shade.
  5. How long did Abimelech rule? Three years (circle)
SALJOTHAMIBRAMBLEPSTOWERFKFKHGERIZIMOGEDWMCULWLACNVFIVRKINHSITJFIGVREONNVBYGEHMRE

Grade 3The Bramble King

  1. Who gave Abimelech silver? The men of Shechem
  2. Where did Jotham tell his story? On Mount Gerizim
  3. Which trees said no? The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine
  4. What did the bramble say would come out of it? Fire
  5. Who repaid Abimelech's wickedness? God
1: Shechem makes Abimelech king2: Jotham speaks from Mount Gerizim3: The trees ask the bramble4: God repays wickedness

Grade 4A King Who Took Power

  1. Where did the silver for Abimelech come from? The house of Baal Berith
  2. Why did the good trees refuse to reign? Each refused to leave its useful work.
  3. What did Jotham say would happen if Shechem had not acted in truth? Fire would destroy both Abimelech and Shechem.
  4. How did Abimelech die? A woman threw a millstone on his head at Thebez.

Word bank: 1. Shechem; 2. Jotham; 3. Gerizim; 4. olive; 5. bramble

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.

Grade 5God Repays Wickedness

  1. Who backed Abimelech at first? His mother's relatives, the men of Shechem
  2. Why did the olive, fig, and vine refuse the crown? They would have to leave the good things they produced for God and people.
  3. What was Jotham's point? Abimelech was a bramble king, and fire would come from each to devour the other.
  4. Why did God send an evil spirit between them? So the violence done to Gideon's sons would come back on them.
  5. Whose curse came true? Jotham's

Word bank: 1. God; 2. Jotham; 3. Shechem; 4. Gerizim; 5. olive

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.