Judges 11:5

5 When the Ammonites attacked Israel, Gilead's leaders went to get 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 Jephthah fled from his brothers. He went to live in the land of Tob. Worthless men gathered around Jephthah and went out [on raids] with him.

4 Later, Ammon waged war with Israel.

5 When the Ammonites attacked Israel, Gilead's leaders went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

6 They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander so that we can wage war against Ammon."

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?"