Jephthah's covenant with the Gileadites: his vow; which he performeth on his daughter.
Before Christ 1186.
Judges 11:1. The son of an harlot— See the note on Joshua 2:1. Josephus understands it, that he was a stranger by the mother's side. The meaning of the original word, which we render harlot, is explained in the second verse;—a strange woman, or a woman of another country.
REFLECTIONS.—The people being reduced to straits, and a captain wanted, we have here an account of one whom, though under a brand of disgrace, God chooses to be their deliverer. A Gileadite, whose name was Jephthah, the son of an harlot, or a Gentile; whose brethren, on their father's decease, counting him a scandal to the family, expelled him from the house. Being brought hereby into great distress, and a man of valour, he resolves to live by the sword; collecting a band of men, therefore, he maintained them and himself, most probably, by incursions on Israel's enemies. Note; (1.) A man should not be reproached with the unhappiness of his birth, when his ways bespeak him deserving of a more honourable relation. (2.) They who know the difficulties of adversity are best prepared for the blessings of prosperity.