Study Desk

Now it came about, after a while, that ^(C1)the sons of Ammon fought against Israel.

When the sons of Ammon fought against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob;

and they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader, that we may fight against the sons of Ammon."

But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "^(C1)Did you not hate me and drive me from my father's house? So why have you come to me now when you are in trouble?"

The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "For this reason we have now returned to you, that you may go with us and fight the sons of Ammon, and ^(C1)become our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead."

So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me back to fight against the sons of Ammon and the LORD gives them up ^(F1)to me, will I become your head?"

And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "^(C1)The LORD is ^(F1)witness between us; be assured we will do ^(F2)as you have said."

Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and leader over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the LORD at ^(C1)Mizpah.