Judges 11 · Grade 4
Jephthah's Hasty Vow
Read and Think
Jephthah was a brave warrior, but his half-brothers drove him away because his mother was not their mother. He lived in Tob, and other outcasts joined him. When Ammon attacked, the elders who had rejected him came asking for help. Jephthah agreed to lead them, and he spoke all his words before Yahweh in Mizpah.
Before fighting, Jephthah tried words. He sent messengers to the king of Ammon, retelling how Israel came from Egypt, went around Edom and Moab, and received the land from God. He said Israel had lived there three hundred years. He ended, May Yahweh the Judge be judge today. The king would not listen.
Yahweh's Spirit came on Jephthah. Then he vowed that whatever came out of his house to meet him would be offered to Yahweh. God gave him a great victory. But his only child, his daughter, came out dancing with tambourines. Jephthah tore his clothes in grief. She asked for two months to mourn with her friends. Then he kept his vow, and the text gives no more detail. God never asked for such a promise.
Show What You Know
Why did his half-brothers drive Jephthah away?
What did Jephthah try before fighting?
How long had Israel lived in the land?
Who came out of Jephthah's house?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- was a brave warrior, but his half-brothers drove him away because his mother was not their mother.
- He lived in , and other outcasts joined him.
- When Ammon attacked, the who had rejected him came asking for help.
- Jephthah agreed to lead them, and he spoke all his words before Yahweh in .
- He sent messengers to the king of , retelling how Israel came from Egypt, went around Edom and Moab, and received the land from God.
Think About It
The people who rejected Jephthah later needed him. How can God use people that others push away?
Jephthah's vow was hasty. Why is it wise to think carefully before making promises, even to God?
Memory Verse
“Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and chief over them. Jephthah spoke all his words before Yahweh in Mizpah.”
Judges 11:11 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for never pushing me away. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What does it mean to speak all your words before God?
- Why is it better to trust God than to bargain with Him?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.