And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?
Ver. 12. And Jephthah sent messengers.] He would treat before he would fight: not for want of courage, as Philip said of the Athenians, but in obedience to God. Deu 20:10 So the Romans first sent heralds to require right, and proffer peace, before they proclaimed war: Cuncta prius tentanda, saith the poet. a And Omnia prius experiri consilio quam armis sapientem decet, saith the comedian. b It becometh a wise man to prevent blows as much as may be.
To fight in my land.] This he could not have said if they had not made him their head. Now he hath a just title, and pleadeth it.
a Ovid.
b Terent.