and of the laws. So the Ammonites and Philistines had them in
contempt, and laid waste the country with a great army; and when
they had taken all Perea, they were so insolent as to attempt to
gain the possession of all the rest. But the Hebrews, being now
amended by the calamities they had undergone, betook themselves
to supplications to God; and brought sacrifices to him,
beseeching him not to be too severe upon them, but to be moved by
their prayers to leave off his anger against them. So God became
more merciful to them, and was ready to assist them.

8. When the Ammonites had made an expedition into the land of
Gilead, the inhabitants of the country met them at a certain
mountain, but wanted a commander. Now there was one whose name
was Jephtha, who, both on account of his father's virtue, and on
account of that army which he maintained at his own expenses, was
a potent man: the Israelites therefore sent to him, and entreated
him to come to their assistance, and promised him the dominion
over them all his lifetime. But he did not admit of their
entreaty; and accused them, that they did not come to his
assistance when he was unjustly treated, and this in an open
manner by his brethren; for they cast him off, as not having the
same mother with the rest, but born of a strange mother, that was
introduced among them by his father's fondness; and this they did
out of a contempt of his inability [to vindicate himself]. So he
dwelt in the country of Gilead, as it is called, and received all
that came to him, let them come from what place soever, and paid
them wages. However, when they pressed him to accept the
dominion, and sware they would grant him the government over them
all his life, he led them to the war.