John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead , etc.] In answer to their request; who though not backward to engage in the war with them, yet thought it proper to take this opportunity to upbraid them with their former unkindness to him: did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house ? for it seems some of these elders at least were his brethren; for who else could be thought to hate him, and through hatred to thrust him out of his father’s house, but they? nor is it at all improbable that they were among the elders of Gilead, considering what family they were of: though indeed the magistrates of the city might be assisting to Jephthah’s brethren in the expulsion of him, or however connived at it, when they should, as he thought, have protected him, and taken care that he had justice done him; for even though illegitimate, a maintenance was due to him: and why are ye come unto me now, when ye are in distress ? intimating, that it was not love and respect to him, but necessity, that brought them to him with this request; and that since they used him so ill, they could not reasonably expect he should have any regard unto them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success, knowing how justly God might suffer the Ammonites to prevai for the further punishment of Israel. Nor does he speak with an confidence at all in himself. If he succeed, it is the Lord deliver them into his hand; he thereby reminds his countrymen to look up to God as the Giver of victory. The same question as here, in fact, is put to those who desire salvation by Christ. If he save you, will ye be willing that he shall rule you? On no other terms will he save you. I he make you happy, shall he make you holy? If he be your helper, shal he be your Head? Jephthah, to obtain a little worldly honour, wa willing to expose his life: shall we be discouraged in our Christia warfare by the difficulties we may meet with, when Christ has promise a crown of life to him that overcometh?
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 יפתח3316 לזקני2205 גלעד1568 הלא3808 אתם859 שׂנאתם8130 אותי853 ותגרשׁוני1644 מבית1004 אבי1 ומדוע4069 באתם935 אלי413 עתה6258 כאשׁר834 צר׃6862
