Judges 11:6

6 “Come,” they said, “be our commander, so that we can 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 fought against Israel

5 and made war with them, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

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

7 Jephthah replied to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and expel me from my father’s house? Why then have you come to me now, when you are in distress?”

8 They answered Jephthah, “This is why we now turn to you, that you may go with us, fight the Ammonites, and become leader over all of us who live in Gilead.”