7 Then Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead , " Did you not hate me and drive me from my father's house ? So why have you come to me now when you are in trouble ?" 8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah , "For this reason we have now returned to you, that you may go with us and fight with the sons of Ammon and become head over all the inhabitants of Gilead ." 9 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead , "If you take me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the Lord gives them up to me, will I become your head ?" 10 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah , " The Lord is witness between us; surely e we will do as you have said ." 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead , and the people made him head and chief over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord at Mizpah .
12 Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon , saying , "What is between you and me, that you have come to me to fight against my land ?" 13 The king of the sons of Ammon said to the messengers of Jephthah , "Because Israel took away my land when they came up from Egypt , from the Arnon as far as the Jabbok and the Jordan ; therefore, return them peaceably now ." 14 But Jephthah sent messengers again e to the king of the sons of Ammon , 15 and they said to him, "Thus says Jephthah , 'Israel did not take away the land of Moab nor the land of the sons of Ammon . 16 'For when they came up from Egypt , and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red e Sea and came to Kadesh , 17 then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom , saying , "Please let us pass through your land ," but the king of Edom would not listen . And they also sent to the king of Moab , but he would not consent . So Israel remained at Kadesh . 18 'Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab , and came to the east e side e of the land of Moab , and they camped beyond the Arnon ; but they did not enter the territory of Moab , for the Arnon was the border of Moab . 19 'And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites , the king of Heshbon , and Israel said to him, "Please let us pass through your land to our place ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 11:7-19
Commentary on Judges 11:1-11
(Read Judges 11:1-11)
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success, knowing how justly God might suffer the Ammonites to prevail for the further punishment of Israel. Nor does he speak with any confidence at all in himself. If he succeed, it is the Lord delivers them into his hand; he thereby reminds his countrymen to look up to God as the Giver of victory. The same question as here, in fact, is put to those who desire salvation by Christ. If he save you, will ye be willing that he shall rule you? On no other terms will he save you. If he make you happy, shall he make you holy? If he be your helper, shall he be your Head? Jephthah, to obtain a little worldly honour, was willing to expose his life: shall we be discouraged in our Christian warfare by the difficulties we may meet with, when Christ has promised a crown of life to him that overcometh?
Commentary on Judges 11:12-28
(Read Judges 11:12-28)
One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith, will be the most disposed for peace, and the readiest to make advances to obtain; but rapacity and ambition often cloak their designs under a plea of equity, and render peaceful endeavours of no avail.