Malbim: Now he explains the Nimshal. After Gid'on died, there were among his sons Chachamim like young olive trees, rich people seeking the pleasant like fig trees, and Chachamim in civil matters. They did not desire kingship. You commoners picked someone without any attributes; he is like a thorn, and destroyed his brothers. If you really [mistakenly] thought to acquire some perfection via him, and you appoint him in order to return the good that Gid'on did for you (also this was not true)...