And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:
When the Ammonites started fighting against Israel, the leaders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob.
The writer is showing how desperate times forced Israel's leaders to seek help from someone they had previously rejected.
📚 Historical Context
In the era of the Judges, ancient Israel was a loose confederation of tribes facing frequent invasions from neighboring enemies, such as the Ammonites, who were descendants of Lot and often clashed with Israel over territorial disputes. Jephthah, an outcast son of Gilead born to a prostitute, had been driven away by his half-brothers and fled to the land of Tob, where he gathered a band of followers and established himself as a warrior leader. When the Ammonites launched an attack against the region of Gilead, the tribal elders, desperate for a capable commander, sought out Jephthah despite his past rejection.
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