Judges 11:5

5 When the {Ammonites} made war with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.

Judges 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:5

And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against
Israel
Were preparing for it, and had assembled their forces near them, and had began to make some efforts against them:

the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob;
they did not send messengers to him, but went themselves, partly to show greater respect to him, and partly in hopes of better success, being aware of objections he would make, which they could better answer themselves than a deputation.

Judges 11:5 In-Context

3 So Jephthah fled from the presence of his brothers, and he lived in the land of Tob. And {outlaws} gathered around Jephthah and went with him.

4 After a time the {Ammonites} made war with Israel.

5 When the {Ammonites} made war with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob.

6 And they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander, so that we may make war against the {Ammonites}."

7 Jephthah said to the elders, "Did you not shun me and drive me out from the house of my father? Why do you come to me now when you have trouble?"

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "sons/children of Ammon"