Judges, Ruth: Revised Edition (The NIV Application Commentary)

by K. Lawson Younger

The elders’ initial offer of 10:18 was that “whoever” saved them would become the “head” (ro’sh) of all those living in Gilead, that is, their tribal chief. But in their first approach to Jephthah (11:4–5), they make the lesser offer of qatsin (commander, 11:6). It may be that the elders first offer Jephthah the title qatsin instead of the title ro’sh (head) because he had been disinherited. It may be that being disinherited somehow disqualified him from being ro’sh over Gilead.27 The essence of Jephthah’s response in 11:7 is a rejection of their offer: “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why [maddua‘] do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?” The use of the term “why” (maddua‘) in this rhetorical question’s context has particular force, the essence of which is: The Gileadites have undeniably rejected Jephthah and expelled him. Given these facts, how, he asks, can you now come to me when you need help? People do not go to those they have rejected for help, nor does the victim of rejection help his rejecters. Nobody in his right mind would come to ask for help in such circumstances: your plea is rejected; I will not help you.28 In other words, Jephthah rejects the elders because they have previously rejected his case in court and have annulled an adoption agreement that his father made in his favor. Moreover, their offer of making Jephthah commander (qatsin) is rightly perceived for what it is. Only after Jephthah’s objection (11:7) do they raise ...