Judges 11:10-11

10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, ¹“The Lord will be witness between us, if we do not do as you say. ”

11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people ²made him head and leader over them. And Jephthah spoke all his words ³before the Lord at ⁴Mizpah.

Judges 11:10-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 11

This chapter gives an account of another judge of Israel, Jephthah, of his descent and character, Jud 11:1-3 of the call the elders of Gilead gave him to be their captain general, and lead out their forces against the Ammonites, and the agreement he made with them, Jud 11:4-11 of the message he sent to the children of Ammon, which brought on a dispute between him and them about the land Israel possessed on that side Jordan the Ammonites claimed; Israel's right to which Jephthah defended, and made it clearly to appear, hoping thereby to put an end to the quarrel without shedding of blood, Jud 11:12-27 but the children of Ammon not attending to what he said, he prepared to give them battle, and previous to it he made a vow, and then set forward and fought them, and got the victory over them, Jud 11:28-33 and the chapter concludes with the difficulties Jephthah was embarrassed with upon his return home, on account of his vow, and the performance of it, Jud 11:34-40.

Cross References

• 1. 11:10 Jer. 42:5
• 2. 11:11 ver. 6, 8; ch. 10:18
• 3. 11:11 1 Sam. 10:19, 25; 11:15; 12:7; [ch. 20:1; 1 Sam. 10:17]
• 4. 11:11 ch. 10:17