Judges 10:17-11:11

Living Bible

¹⁷ The armies of Ammon were mobilized in Gilead at that time, preparing to attack Israel’s army at Mizpah.

¹⁸ “Who will lead our forces against the Ammonites?” the leaders of Gilead asked each other. “Whoever volunteers shall be our king!”

11 ^1-2 Now Jephthah was a great warrior from the land of Gilead, but his mother was a prostitute. His father (whose name was Gilead) had several other sons by his legitimate wife, and when these half brothers grew up, they chased Jephthah out of the country.

“You son of a whore!” they said. “You’ll not get any of our father’s estate.”

³ So Jephthah fled from his father’s home and lived in the land of Tob. Soon he had quite a band of malcontents as his followers, living off the land as bandits. ⁴ It was about this time that the Ammonites began their war against Israel. ⁵ The leaders of Gilead sent for Jephthah, ⁶ begging him to come and lead their army against the Ammonites.

⁷ But Jephthah said to them, “Why do you come to me when you hate me and have driven me out of my father’s house? Why come now when you’re in trouble?”

⁸ “Because we need you,” they replied. “If you will be our commander-in-chief against the Ammonites, we will make you the king of Gilead.”

⁹ “Sure!” Jephthah exclaimed. “Do you expect me to believe that?”

¹⁰ “We swear it,” they replied. “We promise with a solemn oath.”

¹¹ So Jephthah accepted the commission and was made commander-in-chief and king. The contract was ratified before the Lord in Mizpah at a general assembly of all the people.