Jotham begins telling a parable in which the trees try to find someone to rule them. The trees represent the Israelites. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parables]])
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When Jotham heard that Abimelech had murdered his brothers" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])