Judges 11:9

9 And Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If ye turn me back to fight with the children of Ammon, and the Lord should deliver them before me, then will I be your head.

Judges 11:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:9

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead
Considering the former usage he had met with from them, and the character which he himself bore, and the fickleness of men, when their turn is served, was willing to make a sure bargain with them:

if ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon;
that is, should he consent to go along with them, and fight their battle for them:

and the Lord deliver them before me;
or into his hands, on whom he depended for success, and not on his own courage and valour, and military skill:

shall I be your head?
not only captain general of their forces during the war, but the chief ruler of them when that was ended.

Judges 11:9 In-Context

7 And Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, Did ye not hate me, and cast me out of my father's house, and banish me from you? and wherefore are ye come to me now when ye want me?

8 And the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, Therefore have we now turned to thee, that thou shouldest go with us, and fight against the sons of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Galaad.

9 And Jephthae said to the elders of Galaad, If ye turn me back to fight with the children of Ammon, and the Lord should deliver them before me, then will I be your head.

10 And the elders of Galaad said to Jephthae, The Lord be witness between us, if we shall not do according to thy word.

11 And Jephthae went with the elders of Galaad, and the people made him head and ruler over them: and Jephthae spoke all his words before the Lord in Massepha.