Judges 11
Judges 11 unfolds mainly around the story of Jephthah, one of Israel’s judges. The overall structure can be divided into Jephthah’s appearance (verses 1–3), Jephthah’s recognition and calling (verses 4–11), negotiations with the Ammonites (verses 12–28), war and a vow (verses 29–33), and finally the episode involving the fulfillment of his vow concerning his daughter (verses 34–40). This chapter shows how a person with a weak background goes through the process of being used by God, and also the complexity of human life in which themes of vows, victory, and pain coexist at the same time.
1verseNow Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor. He was the son of a prostitute. Gilead became the father of Jephthah.
2verseGilead’s wife bore him sons. When his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You will not inherit in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.”
3verseThen Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Outlaws joined up with Jephthah, and they went out with him.
4verseAfter a while, the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
5verseWhen the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah out of the land of Tob.
6verseThey said to Jephthah, “Come and be our chief, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.”
7verseJephthah 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?”
8verseThe 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.”
9verseJephthah 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?”
10verseThe elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us. Surely we will do what you say.”
11verseThen 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.
12verseJephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, “What do you have to do with me, that you have come to me to fight against my land?”
13verseThe king of the children of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, “Because Israel took away my land when he came up out of Egypt, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore restore that territory again peaceably.”
14verseJephthah sent messengers again to the king of the children of Ammon;
15verseand he said to him, “Jephthah says: Israel didn’t take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon;
16versebut when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea, and came to Kadesh,
17versethen Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let me pass through your land;’ but the king of Edom didn’t listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab, but he refused; so Israel stayed in Kadesh.
18verseThen they went through the wilderness, and went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and they encamped on the other side of the Arnon; but they didn’t come within the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.
19verseIsrael 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 my place.’
20verseBut Sihon didn’t trust Israel to pass through his border; but Sihon gathered all his people together, and encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
21verseThe LORD, the God of Israel, delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they struck them. So Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.
22verseThey possessed all the border of the Amorites, from the Arnon even to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jordan.
23verseSo now the LORD, the God of Israel, has dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and should you possess them?
24verseWon’t you possess that which Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whoever the LORD our God has dispossessed from before us, them will we possess.
25verseNow are you anything better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them?
26verseIsrael lived in Heshbon and its towns, and in Aroer and its towns, and in all the cities that are along the side of the Arnon for three hundred years! Why didn’t you recover them within that time?
27verseTherefore I have not sinned against you, but you do me wrong to war against me. May the LORD the Judge be judge today between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.”
28verseHowever, the king of the children of Ammon didn’t listen to the words of Jephthah which he sent him.
29verseThen the LORD’s Spirit came on Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed over to the children of Ammon.
30verseJephthah vowed a vow to the LORD, and said, “If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand,
31versethen it shall be, that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”
32verseSo Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hand.
33verseHe struck them from Aroer until you come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and to Abelcheramim, with a very great slaughter. So the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.
34verseJephthah came to Mizpah to his house; and behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances. She was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter.
35verseWhen he saw her, he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you are one of those who trouble me; for I have opened my mouth to the LORD, and I can’t go back.”
36verseShe said to him, “My father, you have opened your mouth to the LORD; do to me according to that which has proceeded out of your mouth, because the LORD has taken vengeance for you on your enemies, even on the children of Ammon.”
37verseThen she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me. Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.”
38verseHe said, “Go.” He sent her away for two months; and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
39verseAt the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed. She was a virgin. It became a custom in Israel
40versethat the daughters of Israel went yearly to celebrate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.
Jephthah’s Background and His Call as a Judge
Jephthah was born the son of a prostitute, driven out by his brothers, and forced to live as an outsider. However, when the Ammonites invaded Israel, the people, needing help, came looking for him again, and Jephthah accepts the position of judge on a conditional basis. This scene shows that the narrative shows a socially marginalized person being brought into leadership.
Debate with the Ammonites
Through conversations with the king of Ammon, Jephthah argues logically about the fundamental issue of land ownership. In the process, he tries to persuade by referring to Israel’s history and God’s guidance, but the king of Ammon does not accept it, and matters quickly turn toward war. This passage reveals conflict in human relationships and also God’s initiative in history.
Jephthah’s Vow and Victory in Battle
Jephthah makes a vow to God out of a deep desire for His help. Although he wins a great victory in the war, the result of his vow leads to a tragic episode involving his only daughter. This scene makes you reflect on the themes of human devotion and resolve, and the need to handle vows or promises with care.
Jephthah’s Daughter and the Aftermath of the Vow
Jephthah’s daughter hears the contents of her father’s vow and responds with solemn acceptance, while the text emphasizes her mourning over her virginity. Interpreters differ on whether the passage describes her death or lifelong dedication without marriage; either way, the narrative highlights the tragic cost of rash vows and the spiritual confusion of the period.
Points to Ponder
- Even though Jephthah had humble origins, take time to reflect on why God used him.
- Consider the meaning of a vow, the importance of carefulness, and how crucial a promise before God is.
- Consider the grief of Jephthah’s daughter and the painful consequences that one person’s vow brought upon a family and community.
Applying It to Me
- I too may sometimes feel a sense of being sidelined or have weaknesses in life, but I hope you trust that God can use even that.
- Act carefully in the face of decisions or promises of faith, and also think about how my choices affect other people.
- May this be a week in which you learn wisdom to ask God directly when you face a path of difficult choices, and to communicate with the community.
