Judges 10:18

18 The leaders of Gilead said to each other, “Whoever attacks the Ammonites first will become ruler over all the people of Gilead.”

Judges 10:18 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 10:18

And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another
Being thus assembled and encamped:

what man is he that will begin to fight with the children of Ammon?
for though the forces were assembled together for battle, yet it seems they had no general to command them, and lead them on to it:

he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead,
this they ordered to be proclaimed, to encourage some person to take the command of them, and go before them to battle, promising him that he should be judge or governor over all the tribes on that side Jordan.

Judges 10:18 In-Context

16 Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the LORD . And he was grieved by their misery.

17 At that time the armies of Ammon had gathered for war and were camped in Gilead, and the people of Israel assembled and camped at Mizpah.

18 The leaders of Gilead said to each other, “Whoever attacks the Ammonites first will become ruler over all the people of Gilead.”