1. 9 Jotham ruled for 16 years, remaining faithful to Jehovah all the while.

2. Because Jotham followed Jehovah’s law, he prospered, gaining the victory over the Ammonites. —26:1–27:9.

3. The warning was given by Jotham that fire might come out of the bramble “and consume the cedars of Lebanon,” perhaps alluding to the ease with which the dry and leafless plant might catch fire during the hot summer months.