1. Jephthah becomes head in Gilead (1-13)

Jephthah was similar to Abimelek: he was the son of an outcast mother, scoundrels worked with him, and he was not clearly appointed by the Lord, but chosen as head by the elders of Gilead. But like Gideon, he was called a "mighty warrior" (1; 6:12). He was ambitious to be the head in Gilead (9). He asked the Ammonite king, "Why have you attacked?" The king replied, "You took my land. Give it back."

2. Jephthah's speech (14-28)

Jephthah reviewed Israel's history in the promised land: Israel passed by Edom and Moab. But when Sihon king of the Amorites decided to fight, the Lord gave Israel victory. So Israel took the land from the Amorites, not the Ammonites. Jephthah said, "Take what your god gives you. We'll possess what the Lord our God has given us...You are in the wrong. The Lord is Judge and he'll decide this dispute." But the king ignored Jephthah's message.