Judges 11:3

3. Fled Violence and abuse were apparently used in thrusting him out.

Land of Tob A district lying northeast of Gilead, and apparently between the Syrians and Ammonites. Compare 2 Samuel 10:6. It has not been identified with any modern name.

Vain men Loose and desperate characters like those whom Abimelech made his friends.

Judges 9:4. These eastern deserts were the common resort of such characters. See note on 2 Samuel 13:37. Jephthah’s mode of life during this period has been aptly compared to that of David when he fled from the court of Saul, and gathered round him a company of lawless characters, (1 Samuel 22:2,) and also to that of a Scottish border chieftain in the Middle Ages, and that of Robin Hood in England.