Judges 10:17-11:11

Expanded Bible

¹⁷ The ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon] ·gathered for war [were called to arms] and camped in Gilead. The Israelites gathered and camped at Mizpah. ¹⁸ The leaders of the people of Gilead said, “Who will lead us to attack the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon]? He will become the head of all those who live in Gilead.”

Jephthah Is Chosen as Leader

11 Jephthah was a ·strong soldier [mighty warrior] from Gilead [^Ca region east of the Jordan]. 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 [inheritance], because you are the son of another woman.” ³ So Jephthah ran away from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob [^Cregion northeast of Gilead; 2 Sam. 10:6, 8]. There some ·worthless [good-for-nothing; trouble-making] men began to ·follow [or travel with] him.

⁴ After a time the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon] fought against Israel. ⁵ When the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon] made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to Jephthah to bring him back from Tob. ⁶ They said to him, “Come and ·lead our army [^Lbe our commander/ruler] so we can fight the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon].”

⁷ But Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me? You forced me to leave my father’s house. Why are you coming to me now that you are in trouble?”

⁸ The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “·It is because of those troubles that [For that reason; or Despite that; Nevertheless]^[a] we come to you now. Please come with us and fight against the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon]. You will be the ·ruler [leader; head] over everyone who lives in Gilead.”

⁹ Then Jephthah answered, “If you take me back to Gilead to fight the ·Ammonites [^Lsons/descendants of Ammon] and the Lord helps me win, ·I will be your ruler [or will I really be your ruler/leader/head?].”

¹⁰ The elders of Gilead said to him, “The Lord ·is listening to everything we are saying [is our witness; or will mediate for us; ^Lwill hear between us; ^Can oath formula]. ·We promise to do all that you tell us to do [or …if we do not do as you say].” ¹¹ So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their ·leader [head; ruler] and ·commander of their army [or chief; leader]. Jephthah repeated all of his words in front of the Lord at Mizpah [^Ceither to further ratify them or to confirm God’s direction].