The Story of Jephthah

Judges 11:4–11 WEB

⁴After a while, the children of Ammon made war against Israel. ⁵When the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob. ⁶They said to Jephthah, “Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.” ⁷Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Didn’t you hate me, and drive me out of my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?” ⁸The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “Therefore we have turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight with the children of Ammon. You will be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” ⁹Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you bring me home again to fight with the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them before me, will I be your head?” ¹⁰The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us. Surely we will do what you say.” ¹¹Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them. Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD in Mizpah.