The people,the leadersof Gilead,saidto oneanother,"Whois the manwhowill beginto fightagainst the sonsof Ammon?He shall becomeheadover allthe inhabitantsof Gilead."
Its nobles--thereis noonethere[Whom] they may proclaimking--And allits princeswill be nothing.
Now it cameabout afterthe deathof Joshuathat the sonsof Israelinquiredof the LORD,saying,"Whoshall goup firstfor us againstthe Canaanites,to fightagainst them?"
Then the sonsof Ammonwere summonedand they campedin Gilead.And the sonsof Israelgatheredtogether and campedin Mizpah.
Now Jephthahthe Gileaditewas a valiantwarrior,but he was the sonof a harlot.And Gileadwas the fatherof Jephthah.
Then Jephthahwentwith the eldersof Gilead,and the peoplemadehim headand chiefoverthem; and Jephthahspokeallhis wordsbeforethe LORDat Mizpah.
It cameabout aftera whilethat the sonsof AmmonfoughtagainstIsrael.
JephthahjudgedIsraelsixyears.Then Jephthahthe Gileaditediedand was buriedin [one of] the citiesof Gilead.
The menof Israelsaid,"Have you seenthismanwho is comingup? Surelyhe is comingup to defyIsrael.And it will be that the kingwill enrichthe manwhokillshim with greatrichesand will givehim his daughterand makehis father'shousefreein Israel."
