Topical Bible: Jephthah: His Message to the King of the Ammonites

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Jephthah, a judge of Israel, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative found in the Book of Judges. His encounter with the Ammonites is a pivotal moment that highlights his role as a leader and negotiator. The account of Jephthah's message to the king of the Ammonites is recorded in Judges 11:12-28.

Background

Jephthah was the son of Gilead and a harlot, which led to his rejection by his half-brothers and his subsequent life in the land of Tob, where he gathered a group of adventurers. Despite his outcast status, Jephthah was recognized for his valor and leadership abilities. When the Ammonites waged war against Israel, the elders of Gilead sought Jephthah's help, promising to make him their leader if he would lead them to victory.

The Message to the King of the Ammonites

Upon assuming leadership, Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites to understand the cause of their aggression. The king claimed that Israel had taken his land when they came up from Egypt, demanding its return peaceably. Jephthah's response is a masterful blend of historical recounting, theological insight, and diplomatic reasoning.

1. Historical Recounting: Jephthah begins by correcting the Ammonite king's historical claims. He explains that Israel did not take land from Moab or Ammon. Instead, when Israel came out of Egypt, they requested passage through Edom and Moab but were denied. They then journeyed through the wilderness and did not encroach upon the lands of Moab or Ammon (Judges 11:14-18).

2. Conquest of the Amorites: Jephthah recounts how Israel, under divine guidance, defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, who attacked Israel when they requested peaceful passage through his land. The land in question was taken from the Amorites, not the Ammonites, and was given to Israel by the LORD (Judges 11:19-22).

3. Theological Insight: Jephthah invokes the sovereignty of God in the matter, asserting that the LORD, the God of Israel, had dispossessed the Amorites before His people. He challenges the Ammonite king by asking why he should possess what the LORD had given to Israel. Jephthah further questions why the Ammonites had not reclaimed the land during the 300 years of Israelite settlement (Judges 11:23-26).

4. Diplomatic Reasoning: Jephthah appeals to the Ammonite king's sense of justice and fairness, stating that Israel had not wronged Ammon. He concludes his message by placing the matter in the hands of the LORD, seeking divine judgment between Israel and Ammon (Judges 11:27).

Outcome

The king of the Ammonites disregarded Jephthah's message, leading to conflict. Empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, Jephthah led Israel to victory over the Ammonites, securing peace for the region. This episode underscores Jephthah's role as a divinely appointed leader who sought to resolve conflict through dialogue and faith in God's providence.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 11:12-28
And Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you are come against me to fight in my land?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First Kings.
... child of Elkanah and Hannah, given to them, like Jephthah and Samson ... The Lord's message
was the following: ... Soon after came the trial of his ability as a general ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Historical Books.
... Ammonites and the period during which Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon ... the invasion of the
Philistines, of his resort in ... a familiar spirit, of the terrible message that he ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... "And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. ... Jephthah is said to
have had Gilead for his father and a harlot for his mother. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm