And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of
Ammon
Being now declared chief and sole governor of the tribes on the other side Jordan, he acted in character, and as such sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, to know the reason of his invading the land that belonged to Israel, being desirous of adjusting things in an amicable way, and to prevent the shedding of blood; in which he behaved as a good man, and not at all inconsistent with a man of valour and courage:
saying, what hast thou to do with me;
to invade my land, and disturb my people, what have I or they done to give occasion for it?
that thou art come against me to fight in my land?
he speaks in the language of a governor, and as a man of spirit concerned for the good of his country, and determined to defend the rights and liberties of it.