And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The LORD will be witness between us, if we do not do as you say.”
Here is, I. The distress which the children of Israel were in upon the Ammonites' invasion of their country, Jdg 11:4. Probably this was the same invasion with that mentioned, Jdg 10:17, when the children of Ammon were gathered together and encamped in or against Gilead.
Commenting on Judges 11:4-11
And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah,.... Assenting to his proposal, and not only giving their word for it, but their oath: the Lord be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words; that is, make him head over them; they appealed to the omniscient God, and called on him to be a witness of their agreement to it, and...
THE GILEADITES COVENANT WITH JEPHTHAH. (Jdg 11:4-11) in process of time--on the return of the season. the children of Ammon made war against Israel--Having prepared the way by the introduction of Jephthah, the sacred historian here resumes the thread of his narrative from Jdg 10:17. The Ammonites seem to have invaded the country, and active hostilities were inevitable.
Commenting on Judges 11:4-11