Why Jotham Stood on Mount Gerizim to Curse Abimelech

"And God sent an evil spirit" (Judges 9:23), and at the end it is written, "and the curse of Jotham ben Jerubbaal came upon them" (Judges 9:57). What is written there? "And they told Jotham, [and he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim]" (Judges 9:7). And why did he stand on the top of Mount Gerizim to curse, when the curses were given only on Mount Ebal? Rather, thus said Jotham: The Kutim are destined to say, "Mount Gerizim is ours, for there the blessings were given," and they do not know that there the curses are given. How is this so? Rather, those who were standing on Mount Ebal and cursing, whom were they cursing? Were they not cursing those who stood opposite them? And those who were blessing, whom were they blessing? Were they not blessing those who stood opposite them? It turns out that the curses come upon Mount Gerizim, and the blessings upon Mount Ebal. Therefore Jotham said, "I will not stand and curse my brother and the men of Shechem except on Mount Gerizim." He began saying, "The trees went forth" (Judges 9:8). Rabbi Misha said: These words that Jotham spoke are a parable. How so? "The trees went forth" (Judges 9:8) — these are Israel. "And they said to the olive tree" (ibid.) — this is Othniel ben Kenaz, who was of the tribe of Judah, as it is said, "a leafy olive tree" (Jeremiah 11:16). And what did Othniel say to them? "Should I leave my fatness" (Judges 9:9) — pure olive oil. They went to Deborah: "and [the trees] said to the fig tree" (Judges 9:10) — this is Deborah. She said to them, "Should I leave my sweetness" (Judges 9:11); "and Deborah sang" (Judges 5:1). "And the trees said to the vine" (Judges 9:12) — he said to them, "Should I leave my new wine" (Judges 9:13). "To the vine" — this is Barak and Gideon: "Rule over us, you also" (Judges 8:22); he said to them, "I will not rule" (Judges 8:23). When they saw this, "and all the trees said to the bramble" (Judges 9:14) — this is Abimelech. Just as this bramble is full of thorns, so was Abimelech full of evil deeds. When they said to him to reign, what did he say to them? "And remember that I am your bone [and your flesh]" (Judges 9:2). And the Holy Spirit cries out, "Many seek the ruler's favor" (Proverbs 29:26). What did he say to them? "Come, take refuge in my shade" (Judges 9:15) — Is it not better for you to make me king for myself alone, and not seventy men? Immediately, "and [the people] set him over them" (Judges 11:11). Jotham said to them, "If in truth" (Judges 9:16), and it is written, "and the curse of Jotham came upon them" (Judges 9:57). When? "And God sent an evil spirit" (Judges 9:23). Happy are the righteous, for in every place that they go, the Holy One, blessed be He, guards them, and they are distinguished among the nations, as it is said, "and their offspring shall be known among the nations" (Isaiah 61:9).