Judges 11:29-40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 11:29-40

We have here Jephthah triumphing in a glorious victory, but, as an alloy to his joy, troubled and distressed by an unadvised vow. I. Jephthah's victory was clear, and shines very brightly, both to his honour and to the honour of God, his in pleading and God's in owning a righteous cause. 1. God gave him an excellent spirit, and he improved it bravely, Jdg. 11:29. When it appeared by the people's unanimous choice of him for their leader that he had so clear a call to engage, and by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah ,.... The spirit of strength, as the Targum; of fortitude of mind, of uncommon valour and courage, and of zeal for God and Israel, and against their enemies; such a spirit as used to be given to men, when they were in an extraordinary manner raised up by the Lord, to be judges, saviours, and deliverers of his people; so that as Jephthah was before chosen by the people to be the general and head of the tribes beyond Jordan, he was raised up and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord ,.... Before he set out for the land of the children of Ammon, and to fight with them; hoping that such a religious disposition of mind would be regarded by the Lord, and be acceptable to him, and he should be blessed with success in his enterprise: and said, if thou shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands ; though he was assured of the justness of his cause, and of his call to engage in it, he seems to have some little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:31

Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me ,.... If this phrase, "to meet me", is meant intentionally, then no other than an human creature can be meant; a child, or servant, or any other of mankind; for none else could come forth with a design to meet him: but if this is to be understood eventually, of what might meet him, though not with design, then any other creature may be intended; and it must be meant what came forth first, as the Vulgate Latin... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:32

So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon, to fight against them ,.... As in Judges 11:29 , after he had made the above vow: and the Lord delivered them into his hands ; when both armies met and engaged, victory was on the side of Jephthah; the Lord being with him, and giving him success, to where all is justly ascribed. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:33

And he smote them from Aroer ,.... A city which lay near the river Arnon, on the borders of Moab, Deuteronomy 3:12 . even till thou come to Minnith ; which seems to have been a place famous for wheat, Ezekiel 27:17 so David de Pomis F1 Tzemach David, fol. 81. 3. says it was a place where the best wheat grew. Jerom says F2 De loc. Heb. fol. 93. E. in his time was shown a village called Mannith, four miles from Esbus (or Heshbon), as you go to Philadelphia. Josephus F3 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:34

And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house ,.... Where he had uttered his words before the Lord, which had passed between him and the elders of Gilead, and from whence he set out to fight the children of Ammon, and whither he returned after he had got the victory over them, Judges 11:11 and where it seems he had a house, and his family dwelt; for upon his being fetched from the land of Tab, he brought what family he had with him, and settled them at Mizpeh, while he went on the expedition... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:35

And it came to pass, when he saw her ,.... She being the first person that presented to his view, as she was at the head of the virgins with their timbrels and dances: that he rent his clothes ; as was the usual manner, when anything calamitous and distressing happened; see Genesis 37:34 . and said, alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low ; damped his spirits, sunk him very low, so that he was ready to drop into the earth, as we say; he that was now returning in triumph,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:36

And she said unto him, my father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord ,.... The conditional word "if" may be left out, as it is not in the original text; for her father had told her that he had opened his mouth, or made a vow to the Lord, and had no doubt explained it to her what it was, though it is not expressed; she knew it respected her, as it had issued, and was concerning her, as appears by her later request: do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 11:37

And she said unto her father, let this thing be done for me ,.... She had but one favour to ask of him, which she thought might be granted, without any breach of the vow: let me alone two months she desired such a space of time might be allowed her before the vow took place; and the rather she might be encouraged to expect that her request would be granted, since no time was fixed by the vow for the accomplishment of it, and since the time she asked was not very long, and the end to be... read more

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