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Judges 11:24

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee - As if he had said: "It is a maxim with you, as it is among all nations, that the lands which they conceive to be given them by their gods, they have an absolute right to, and should not relinquish them to any kind of claimant. You suppose that the land which you possess was given you by your god Chemosh and therefore you will not relinquish what you believe you hold by a Divine right. Now, we know that Jehovah, our God, who is the Lord of heaven and earth, has given the Israelites the land of the Amorites; and therefore we will not give it up." The ground of Jephthah's remonstrance was sound and good.

  1. The Ammonites had lost their lands in their contests with the Amorites.
  • The Israelites conquered these lands from the Amorites, who had waged a most unprincipled war against them.
  • God, who is the Maker of heaven and earth had given those very lands as a Divine grant to the Israelites.
  • In consequence of this they had possession of them for upwards of three hundred years.
  • 5. These lands were never reclaimed by the Ammonites, though they had repeated opportunities of doing it, whilst the Israelites dwelt in Heshbon, in Aroer, and in the coasts of Arnon; but they did not reclaim them because they knew that the Israelites held them legally. The present pretensions of Ammon were unsupported and unjustifiable.

    Albert Barnes
    Notes on the Whole Bible
    Verses 15-28

    Consult the marginal references. If the ark with the copy of the Law Deuteronomy 31:26 was at Mizpeh, it would account for Jephthah‘s accurate knowledge of it; and this exact agreement of his message with Numbers and Deuteronomy would give additional force to the expression, “he uttered all his words before the Lord” Judges 11:11.

    Judges 11:17

    No mention is made of this embassy to Moab in the Pentateuch.

    Judges 11:19

    Into my place - This expression implies that the trans-Jordanic possessions of Israel were not included in the land of Canaan properly speaking.

    Judges 11:21

    The title “God of Israel” has a special emphasis here, and in Judges 11:23. in a narrative of transactions relating to the pagan and their gods.

    Judges 11:24

    Chemosh was the national god of the Moabites (see the marginal references); and as the territory in question was Moabitish territory before the Amorites took it from “the people of Chemosh,” this may account for the mention of Chemosh here rather than of Moloch, or Milcom, the god of the Ammonites. Possibly the king of the children of Ammon at this time may have been a Moabite.

    Judges 11:25, Judges 11:26

    Jephthah advances another historical argument. Balak, the king of Moab, never disputed the possession of Sihon‘s kingdom with Israel.

    Matthew Henry
    Concise Bible Commentary
    One instance of the honour and respect we owe to God, as our God, is, rightly to employ what he gives us to possess. Receive it from him, use it for him, and part with it when he calls for it. The whole of this message shows that Jephthah was well acquainted with the books of Moses. His argument was clear, and his demand reasonable. Those who possess the most courageous faith, will be the most disposed for peace, and the readiest to make advances to obtain; but rapacity and ambition often cloak their designs under a plea of equity, and render peaceful endeavours of no avail.
    The Period of the Judges
    The Judges of Israel
    Jephthah and the Ammonites
    The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to the Plains of Moab