Judges 11:1-6

1 Jephthah was a strong soldier from Gilead. His father was named Gilead, and his mother was a prostitute.

2 Gilead's wife had several sons. When they grew up, they forced Jephthah to leave his home, saying to him, "You will not get any of our father's property, because you are the son of another woman."

3 So Jephthah ran away from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. There some worthless men began to follow him.

4 After a time the Ammonites fought against Israel.

5 When the Ammonites made war against Israel, the older leaders of Gilead went to Jephthah to bring him back from Tob.

6 They said to him, "Come and lead our army so we can fight the Ammonites."

Judges 11:1-6 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.