en_tn_condensed/jdg/09/08.md

The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'

In this parable Jotham describes the trees doing things that humans do. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parables and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification)

to anoint a king over them

Here, to anoint with oil is a symbolic action that represents appointing a person to be king. Alternate translation: "to appoint a king to rule over all of them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction)

Reign over us

"Be our king"