Judges 11:4-11 - Come and be our leader

11:4-6

As usual, things were not going well for Israel, with the Ammonites fighting against them. While Jephthah’s family didn’t seem to think much of him, the elders of Gilead had a better impression of him. So they went to Tob and pleaded with him to come and lead them. Other judges were “raised up” by God, there is no reference to this here. However, the rest of the text does indicate that Jephthah had God’s approval (11:29).

11:7

It seems that the elders may have been participants in driving Jephthah away. If this is so, then they acted out of pure short-term self-interest. Driving him away when his brothers were all against him, but changing their minds now that things were going badly for them. They had no faith in God (James 1:6). Jephthah does not trust them and asks why they have suddenly changed their tune.

11:8-11

The elders seem to admit their double mindedness, but say they are now very much on Jephthah’s side. Jephthah is far from convinced and wants further assurances. In response the elders swear by the name of the Lord, and this seemed to satisfy Jephthah. Jephthah then made a declaration before the Lord.