Jephthah

Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a prostitute. When Gilead's legitimate sons grew up, they drove Jephthah away, saying, "Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman." Jephthah fled to the land of Tob, where he gathered a band of "vain men" around him and became a mighty warrior.

When the Ammonites made war against Israel, Gilead's elders desperately sought Jephthah's help. He confronted their hypocrisy: "Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?" They promised to make him their leader, and Jephthah accepted, first attempting diplomacy with the Ammonite king.

When negotiations failed, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. Before battle, he made a fateful vow: whatever came out of his house to meet him upon his victorious return, he would offer as a burnt offering. He won a great victory, but when he returned home, his only daughter came out dancing with timbrels to celebrate.

Jephthah was devastated: "Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low." His daughter accepted her fate with remarkable faith, asking only for two months to mourn. The text says Jephthah "did with her according to his vow." This tragic episode became a memorial in Israel, with daughters mourning Jephthah's daughter annually for four days.