⁴Some time later, the Ammonites went to war against Israel. ⁵So the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. ⁶“Come with us,” they said. “Be our commander. Then we can fight against the Ammonites.”

⁷Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me? Didn’t you drive me away from my father’s house? Why are you coming to me only when you are in trouble?”

⁸The elders of Gilead replied to him. “You are right,” they said. “That’s why we’re turning to you now. Come with us and fight against the Ammonites. Then you will be our leader. You will rule over everyone who lives in Gilead.”

⁹Jephthah said, “Suppose you take me back to fight against the Ammonites. And suppose the Lord gives them over to me. Then will I really be your leader?”

¹⁰The elders of Gilead replied, “The Lord is our witness. We’ll certainly do as you say.” ¹¹So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead. And the people made him their leader and commander. He went to Mizpah. There he repeated to the Lord everything he had said.

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