Read the actual text of Judges 11-12:7

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah

No more talk!

Jephthah went after the Ammonites! (Judges 11:29)

Jephthah's noble, unnecessary vow to God:
The battle was already won!

"And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: 'If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord's, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."
(Judges 11:30-31)

The Victory was God's!
"Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands." (v. 32)
The Sacrifice was Gods!
"When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter." (v:34)

Jephthah's Response
"When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, 'Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.'"
(v. 35)

His Daughter's Response
"'My father,' she replied, 'you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.'"
(v.36)
After 2 months, it was done, and a custom was begun. (vs. 36-40)
 

The last battles may have been the most important victories:
 Jephthah's and his daughter's test of faithfulness to a vow to God!

Unfinished Business

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