Judges 11:28

Jephthah persistently reached out for peace, yet *“the king of the sons of Ammon disregarded the message which Jephthah sent him”* (v.28). By highlighting the hardened response of Ammon’s king, this verse emphasizes a refusal to reconcile peacefully and reveals the spiritual hardness often noted throughout the era of the judges, which lasted approximately from 1400 BC to 1050 BC. Jephthah, who served as one of Israel’s judges during this time, had attempted to negotiate and clarify Israel’s history in the region, showing he understood both the legal and covenantal background of the land in dispute.

When *“the king of the sons of Ammon disregarded the message which Jephthah sent him”* (v.28), it underscores the tension that had been brewing between the Israelites and the Ammonites, who inhabited territory northeast of the Dead Sea. This region was known for its contested borders and harsh desert landscapes, making it a frequent setting for conflicts. By rejecting Jephthah’s explanation and plea for peace, the Ammonites essentially chose hostility over dialogue. This refusal echoed broader patterns in the Book of Judges, where foreign kings would ignore Israel’s rightful occupancy (Judges 11:15–26, NASB-95) and chase military confrontations instead.

The verse also highlights an element of divine justice looming in the background. Though Jephthah was not perfectly righteous—his own history and rash vow would later cast a shadow over his leadership—the attempt to resolve conflict peacefully parallels Christ’s message of reconciliation (Romans 12:18, NASB-95). The king of Ammon’s dismissal of that peace prefigures the stubbornness Christ encountered in His own ministry centuries later.

God’s people often face opposition when standing on purposeful truth.