Verse 30
30. Vowed a vow unto the Lord Bound himself by a strong oath and solemn appeal to Jehovah. So Jacob did at Bethel, (Genesis 28:20,) and Hannah at the tabernacle. 1 Samuel 1:11. Although vows were not commanded in the Old Testament, they were often taken, and the law made provision for different kinds of vows. They might be pleasing or displeasing to God, according to their real character. A rash vow could never be pleasing to God, though it might be excusable from the ignorance of him that vowed.
It is not to be assumed that Jephthah uttered this vow under divine inspiration. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and quickened him with energy and heroism to go and conquer Ammon, but not to make this vow. It is to be noted that no sacred writer commends Jephthah’s vow.
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