Jephthah Delivers Israel

Judges 11

1 Now a Jephthah the Gileadite was b a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. 2 Gilead's wife bore sons; and when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, "You shall have c no inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman." 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of d Tob; and e worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him.

4 It came to pass after a time that the f people of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 Then they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon." 7 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, g "Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father's house? Why have you come to me now when you are in 1 distress?" 8 h And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That is why we have i turned 2 again to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the people of Ammon, and be j our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead." 9 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the LORD delivers them to me, shall I be your head?" 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, k "The LORD will be a witness between us, if we do not do according to your words." 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him l head and commander over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words m before the LORD in Mizpah.

12 Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, n "What do you have against me, that you have come to fight against me in my land?" 13 And the king of the people of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, o "Because Israel took away my land when they came up out of Egypt, from p the Arnon as far as q the Jabbok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore, restore those lands peaceably." 14 So Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, 15 and said to him, "Thus says Jephthah: r 'Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the people of Ammon; 16 'for when Israel came up from Egypt, they walked through the wilderness as far as the Red Sea and s came to Kadesh. 17 'Then t Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, "Please let me pass through your land." u But the king of Edom would not heed. And in like manner they sent to the v king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel w remained in Kadesh.

18 'And they x went along through the wilderness and y bypassed the land of Edom and the land of Moab, came to the east side of the land of Moab, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab. 19 'Then z Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon; and Israel said to him, "Please a let us pass through your land into our place." 20 b 'But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together, encamped in Jahaz, and fought against Israel. 21 'And the LORD God of Israel c delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they d defeated 3 them. Thus Israel gained possession of all the land of the Amorites, who inhabited that country. 22 'They took possession of e all the territory of the Amorites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan. 23 'And now the LORD God of Israel has 4 dispossessed the Amorites from before His people Israel; should you then possess it? 24 'Will you not possess whatever f Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whatever g the LORD our God takes possession of before us, we will possess. 25 'And now, are you any better than h Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever strive against Israel? Did he ever fight against them? 26 'While Israel dwelt in i Heshbon and its villages, in j Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities along the banks of the Arnon, for three hundred years, why did you not recover them within that time? 27 'Therefore I have not sinned against you, but you wronged me by fighting against me. May the LORD, k the Judge, l render judgment this day between the children of Israel and the people of Ammon.' " 28 However, the king of the people of Ammon did not heed the words which Jephthah sent him.

  1. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:32
    And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
  2. Cross References
    Judges 6:12
    And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!
    2 Kings 5:1
    Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 21:10
    Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.
    Deuteronomy 23:2
    One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 10:6
    When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of Maacah one thousand men, and from Ish-Tob twelve thousand men.
    2 Samuel 10:8
    Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field.
  5. Cross References
    1 Samuel 22:2
    And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
  6. Cross References
    Judges 10:9
    Moreover the people of Ammon crossed over the Jordan to fight against Judah also, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed.
    Judges 10:17
    Then the people of Ammon gathered together and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled together and encamped in Mizpah.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 26:27
    And Isaac said to them, "Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?
  8. Cross References
    Judges 10:18
    And the people, the leaders of Gilead, said to one another, "Who is the man who will begin the fight against the people of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 17:4
    "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
  10. Cross References
    Judges 10:18
    And the people, the leaders of Gilead, said to one another, "Who is the man who will begin the fight against the people of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 31:49
    Also Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.
    Genesis 31:50
    "If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us - see, God is witness between you and me!"
    Jeremiah 29:23
    Because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the LORD.
    Jeremiah 42:5
    So they said to Jeremiah, "Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you.
  12. Cross References
    Judges 11:8
    And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That is why we have turned again to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the people of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.
  13. Cross References
    Judges 10:17
    Then the people of Ammon gathered together and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled together and encamped in Mizpah.
    Judges 20:1
    So all the children of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, as well as from the land of Gilead, and the congregation gathered together as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
    1 Samuel 10:17
    Then Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah.
  14. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:10
    But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'
  15. Cross References
    Numbers 21:24 - 26
    Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.
  16. Cross References
    Joshua 13:9
    From Aroer which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the town that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain of Medeba as far as Dibon.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 32:22
    And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.
  18. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 2:9
    "Then the LORD said to me, 'Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.'"
    Deuteronomy 2:19
    'And when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.'"
  19. Cross References
    Numbers 13:26
    Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
    Numbers 20:1
    Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.
  20. Cross References
    Numbers 20:14
    Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. "Thus says your brother Israel: 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us.
  21. Cross References
    Numbers 20:14 - 21
    Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. "Thus says your brother Israel: 'You know all the hardship that has befallen us.
  22. Cross References
    Joshua 24:9
    Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.
  23. Cross References
    Numbers 20:1
    Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there.
  24. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 2:9
    "Then the LORD said to me, 'Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.'"
    Deuteronomy 2:18
    This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab.
    Deuteronomy 2:19
    'And when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.'"
  25. Cross References
    Numbers 21:4
    Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.
  26. Cross References
    Numbers 21:21
    Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying.
    Deuteronomy 2:26 - 36
    And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying.
  27. Cross References
    Numbers 21:22
    "Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into fields or vineyards; we will not drink water from wells. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory."
    Deuteronomy 2:27
    Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left.
  28. Cross References
    Numbers 21:23
    But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.
    Deuteronomy 2:27
    Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left.
  29. Cross References
    Joshua 24:8
    And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the other side of the Jordan, and they fought with you. But I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you.
  30. Cross References
    Numbers 21:24
    Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.
    Numbers 21:25
    So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages.
  31. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 2:36
    From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the LORD our God delivered all to us.
    Deuteronomy 2:37
    Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon - anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the LORD our God had forbidden us.
  32. Cross References
    Numbers 21:29
    Woe to you, Moab! You have perished, O people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, And his daughters into captivity, To Sihon king of the Amorites.
    1 Kings 11:7
    Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
    Jeremiah 48:7
    For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, You also shall be taken. And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, His priests and his princes together.
  33. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 9:4
    Do not think in your heart, after the LORD your God has cast them out before you, saying, 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land'; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out from before you.
    Deuteronomy 9:5
    It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
    Joshua 3:10
    And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites:
  34. Cross References
    Numbers 22:2
    Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
    Joshua 24:9
    Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.
    Micah 6:5
    O My people, remember now What Balak king of Moab counseled, And what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, From Acacia Grove to Gilgal, That you may know the righteousness of the LORD.
  35. Cross References
    Numbers 21:25
    So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages.
    Numbers 21:26
    For Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and had taken all his land from his hand as far as the Arnon.
  36. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 2:36
    From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the LORD our God delivered all to us.
  37. Cross References
    Genesis 18:25
    "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
  38. Cross References
    Genesis 16:5
    Then Sarai said to Abram, "My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.
    Genesis 31:53
    The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
    1 Samuel 24:12
    Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
    1 Samuel 24:15
    "Therefore let the LORD be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand."
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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