4 Some time later, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel,
4 And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.
4 After a time the Ammonites made war against Israel.
4 Some time passed. And then the Ammonites started fighting Israel.
4 It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel.
4 At about this time, the Ammonites began their war against Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 11:4
Commentary on Judges 11:1-11
(Read Judges 11:1-11)
Men ought not to be blamed for their parentage, so long as they by their personal merits roll away any reproach. God had forgiven Israel, therefore Jephthah will forgive. He speaks not with confidence of his success, knowing how justly God might suffer the Ammonites to prevail for the further punishment of Israel. Nor does he speak with any confidence at all in himself. If he succeed, it is the Lord delivers them into his hand; he thereby reminds his countrymen to look up to God as the Giver of victory. The same question as here, in fact, is put to those who desire salvation by Christ. If he save you, will ye be willing that he shall rule you? On no other terms will he save you. If he make you happy, shall he make you holy? If he be your helper, shall he be your Head? Jephthah, to obtain a little worldly honour, was willing to expose his life: shall we be discouraged in our Christian warfare by the difficulties we may meet with, when Christ has promised a crown of life to him that overcometh?