“The trees went forth at one time to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘You reign over us.' But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honour God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?' ”
These words were a direct mockery of kingship. They revealed it to be a useless exercise taking men away from more important things. The efforts of the olive were far better spent in producing oil than waving uselessly over the trees. Its oil honoured both God and men. By it the light continually shone in the Tabernacle honouring God (Exodus 27:20; Leviticus 24:2). By it priests were anointed to the service of God honouring men (Exodus 30:24-25; Exodus 30:30-31). Why then should it leave this important duty simply in order to wave over the trees?