4. At about this time, the Ammonites began their war against Israel.
5. When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob.
6. The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!”
7. But Jephthah said to them, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you’re in trouble?”
8. “Because we need you,” the elders replied. “If you lead us in battle against the Ammonites, we will make you ruler over all the people of Gilead.”
9. Jephthah said to the elders, “Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?”
10. “The lord is our witness,” the elders replied. “We promise to do whatever you say.”
11. So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their ruler and commander of the army. At Mizpah, in the presence of the lord, Jephthah repeated what he had said to the elders.
12. Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon, asking, “Why have you come out to fight against my land?”