Abimelech was the son of Gideon with a concubine in Shechem, and after Gideon's death he conspired with the Shechemites against his 70 half-brothers to become king by killing his half-siblings and seizing power to rule over Israel for 3 years. Abimelech's only half-brother to survive the slaughter was Jotham.
When Jotham learned of his brothers' massacrer he climbed Mount Gerizim and shouted a parabolic curse upon the citizens of Shechem. Jotham's parable said that the trees decided to anoint a king and first of all they approached the olive tree which turned it down saying it preferred its olive oil. Then the fig tree was approached which also refused kingship as it preferred its sweet fruit. Then the vine was offered the post but it also refused preferring to produce wine "which cheers gods and men". Finally the trees approached the worthless thorn-bush (Abimelech) whom they made king! Jotham concluded by saying that if the people had acted honourably and in good faith then may they be happy with Abimelech. However if the opposite was the case then let fire consume them!
Abimelech, having ruled for 3 years, fell out with the Shechemites as "an evil spirit" came between them leading them to join forces with Gaal to overthrow Abimelech. However he got wind of the revolt and quelled it by attacking and destroying the city and covering it with salt! The last stronghold in the city was the Tower of Shechem which Abimelech set fire to killing a thousand people inside it.
Finally Abimelech attacked the city of Thebez where he also attacked its tower, but before he could set fire to it a woman dropped a millstone on his head cracking his skull. As he died he ordered his armour-bearer to finish him off with his sword as he was ashamed of being killed by a woman! The curse of Jotham had come to pass.
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