Judges 11:9

9 Jephthah told them, "If you take me back to fight against Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader."

Judges 11:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:9

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead
Considering the former usage he had met with from them, and the character which he himself bore, and the fickleness of men, when their turn is served, was willing to make a sure bargain with them:

if ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon;
that is, should he consent to go along with them, and fight their battle for them:

and the Lord deliver them before me;
or into his hands, on whom he depended for success, and not on his own courage and valour, and military skill:

shall I be your head?
not only captain general of their forces during the war, but the chief ruler of them when that was ended.

Judges 11:9 In-Context

7 But Jephthah replied to Gilead's leaders, "Don't you hate me? Didn't you throw me out of my father's house? So why are you coming to me now when you're in trouble?"

8 Gilead's leaders answered Jephthah, "The reason we've turned to you now is that we want you to go with us and wage war against Ammon. You will be the ruler of everyone who lives in Gilead."

9 Jephthah told them, "If you take me back to fight against Ammonites and the LORD gives them to me, I will be your leader."

10 Gilead's leaders said to Jephthah, "The LORD is a witness between us. We will certainly do what you say."

11 Jephthah went with them, and the people made him their leader and commander. So Jephthah went to Mizpah and repeated all these things in the presence of the LORD.