Bible Strands
Judges 11:28
But the king of the Ammonites paid no heed to the message Jephthah sent him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jephthah’s diplomatic appeal to the Ammonite leadership in Judges 11:27 is met with silence by the Ammonite king. This refusal occurs immediately before the Spirit of the LORD empowers Jephthah to mobilize against Ammon in Judges 11:29.
The words — The Hebrew phrase לֹא שָׁמַע (lo sha.ma) literally means “he did not listen” and captures the king’s active rejection. The text pairs this negation with דִּבְרֵי (div.rei), “the words,” to emphasize that Jephthah’s message was received but deliberately ignored.
The thread — The narrative pattern of a ruler refusing to heed a warning before battle appears in 2 Kings 14:11. The theological principle behind this refusal aligns with Proverbs 16:18, which links a haughty spirit to impending destruction.
Why it lands — The text records that diplomatic appeals grounded in historical claim and divine arbitration are rejected by the opposing ruler. Readers must acknowledge that ignoring a clear message shifts the situation from negotiation to inevitable conflict.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 14:11 But Amaziah would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel advanced. He and King Amaziah of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh in Judah.
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.