Judges 11:6

6 “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”

Judges 11:6 in Other Translations

6 And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.

6 And they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the Ammonites."

6 The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!”

6 They said to Jephthah: "Come. Be our general and we'll fight the Ammonites."

6 They said to him, "Come, be our commander, and let's fight against the Ammonites."

Judges 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:6

And they said unto Jephthah, come and be our captain
The general of their army, to conduct and lead on their forces; they did not propose him to be their king, being convinced by Abimelech's conduct that such a step would be wrong; nor did they say anything of his being their judge, having no other view than to serve their present exigence; besides, a judge was not one chosen by the people, but raised up of God, and which honour was conferred on Jephthah afterwards:

that we may fight with the children of Ammon;
with judgment, courage, and success; they did not make this proposal to him to save themselves from being engaged in the war, but that they might have one skilful in military affairs at the head of them, to instruct them in the art of war, and lead them on in a regular manner, and animate them by his brave example.

Judges 11:6 In-Context

4 Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel,

5 the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

6 “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”

7 Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?”

8 The elders of Gilead said to him, “Nevertheless, we are turning to you now; come with us to fight the Ammonites, and you will be head over all of us who live in Gilead.”