Judges 12
PATJudges 12:1
j^LND the men of Ephraim gathered themselves. In the Hebrew, were called, by a public cry, or proclamation, to arm themselves. And went northward.] To the country of Manasseh, on the other side Jordan. For this sufficiently shews that Mizpeh was in that country, and in the northern part of it, towards Lebanon and Hermon, as I observed before, xi. 29. Pet. Martyr thinks they did not march orderly thither, being not gathered together (as far as appears) bythe authority of the magistrate, but in a tumultuous manner, as seditious people are wont to do. And said unto Jephthah.] By this, anld by what follows/ it appears they came to Mizpeh, where Jephthah dwelt Wherefore passedst thou over.] They do not mean over Jordan, for there he was already; but from hence to the coast of the Ammonites. (See xi. 30. 32.) To fight against the children of Amnion, and didst not call us to go with thee?] Their pride made them take it ill, that they had not a share in the glory of the late victory. Just as formerly they quarrelled with Gideon upon the like occasion, (viii.’l.) which shews they were a haughty tribe. We will burn thine houseupon thee with fire] Their pride put them into such ai strange rage, that they seem to threaten to burn him as well as his house.’ *
Judges 12:2
And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children ofAmmon. He answers their furious language with great mildness; and first tells them, that he did not undertake this war till he was forced to it by the Ammonites, who sorely distressed them, (x. 9.) c, r •’ • And when I called yoti, ye delivered me not out of their hands.] In the second place he denies their charge, and affirms the contrary, that he had begged their assistance, but they refused to give it him: yea (as the word we translate called signifies), he had cried aloud to them with earnest importunities to help them in their distress.
Judges 12:3
And when I saw that you delivered me not. That there was no hope of your help to preserve us from ruin. I put my life in my hand.] Exposed myself to the utmost 2B