Judges 11:12

12 Yiftach sent messengers to the king of the children of `Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you are come to me to fight against my land?

Judges 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 11:12

And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of
Ammon
Being now declared chief and sole governor of the tribes on the other side Jordan, he acted in character, and as such sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, to know the reason of his invading the land that belonged to Israel, being desirous of adjusting things in an amicable way, and to prevent the shedding of blood; in which he behaved as a good man, and not at all inconsistent with a man of valour and courage:

saying, what hast thou to do with me;
to invade my land, and disturb my people, what have I or they done to give occasion for it?

that thou art come against me to fight in my land?
he speaks in the language of a governor, and as a man of spirit concerned for the good of his country, and determined to defend the rights and liberties of it.

Judges 11:12 In-Context

10 The Zakenim of Gil`ad said to Yiftach, the LORD shall be witness between us; surely according to your word so will we do.

11 Then Yiftach went with the Zakenim of Gil`ad, and the people made him head and chief over them: and Yiftach spoke all his words before the LORD in Mitzpah.

12 Yiftach sent messengers to the king of the children of `Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you are come to me to fight against my land?

13 The king of the children of `Ammon answered to the messengers of Yiftach, Because Yisra'el took away my land, when he came up out of Mitzrayim, from the Arnon even to the Yabbok, and to the Yarden: now therefore restore those [lands] again peaceably.

14 Yiftach sent messengers again to the king of the children of `Ammon;