Jephthah

Jephthah (Judges 10:6–12:7)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   introduction: Israel's oppression and cry for help10:6–16chronological note
2. b
   diplomacy in response to Ammonite threat10:17–11:28begins: Ammonites gird arms (wayyēʾāsəpû); Ammonites cross over to Gilead to fight (11:12); why have you come against me to fight in my land? (11:12); Jephthah responds twice to diplomacy, which fails
3. c
   Jephthah's vow11:29–31
4. d
   TURNING POINT: Yahweh gives victory11:32–33
5. c′
   Jephthah's vow sadly fulfilled11:34–40
6. b′
   diplomacy in response to Israelite threat: tragic civil war12:1–6begins: Ephraimites cross over to Gilead to fight; why have you come over against me to fight? (12:3); Jephthah responds twice to diplomacy, which fails
7. a′
   conclusion: summary of Jephthah's rule, his death and burial12:7chronological note