After the death of Abimelech, a series of judges were raised up by the lord to direct the affairs of Israel, but little or no information is given concerning them until we come to Jephthah, Gilead's son he introduced as being a mighty man of valor. Jephthah was socially ostracized by his brother because he was the son of a harlot, and he fled from his brethren and dwelt in the land of Tob.
His ability as a leader and militarist was apparently recognized even by those who thought themselves socially superior; when Israel became sore oppressed by the Ammonites, the elders sought out Jephthah and asked for his help, promising him the leadership of the nation after he defeated the Ammonites. Jephthah reluctantly accepted and was victorious, like many another Israelites generals previously had been when the lords blessing was upon them.
However, his name prominent in the sacred record not because of his military victories, but because of his military victories, but because of a vow which would be given to him by divine help. The vow was that whatever first came out of his house when he returned from the battle would be offered to the Lord in sacrifice.
When he did return from the battle, his young daughter was the first to come out from the battle, his young daughter was the first to come out from the house to meet him.
To be continued
