11:12–29 For the historical background to this conflict, see Num. 20:14–21; 21:10–35; Deut. 2:16–3:11. At the time of Jephthah, the Ammonites hoped to extend their territory into what once had been their land, but had now been Israel’s for three hundred years. Jephthah countered Ammonite demands by rehearsing this history and showing that they took no more than what the God of Israel had given them and, having been instructed by Him (Deut. 2:18–19), did not take anything from Ammon.