Judges 11:28

KJV

Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit the king {H4428} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983} hearkened {H8085} not unto the words {H1697} of Jephthah {H3316} which he sent {H7971} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the king of the people of 'Amon paid no attention to the message Yiftach sent him.

Berean Standard Bible

But the king of the Ammonites paid no heed to the message Jephthah sent him.

American Standard Version

Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 11:28 marks the decisive rejection by the Ammonite king of Jephthah's extensive and reasoned diplomatic overture. Following a meticulous presentation of Israel's historical and theological claim to the disputed territory, this verse succinctly reveals the Ammonite ruler's unyielding stance, thereby closing all avenues for peaceful resolution and setting the inevitable stage for military confrontation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic response to Jephthah's detailed diplomatic mission, recounted in [Judges 11:12-27](/judges/11-12 "Judges 11:12-27 - Jephthah's Diplomatic Exchange"). Having been appointed leader by the elders of Gilead, Jephthah, rather than immediately resorting to war, first sends messengers to the Ammonite king. His message is a masterclass in historical and theological argumentation, tracing Israel's journey from Egypt, their divinely-ordained inheritance of the land, and the long-standing peace with Moab and Ammon, despite their historical claims. Jephthah appeals to the principle that possession belongs to those whom their God has given it, challenging the Ammonite king's assertions. [Judges 11:28](/judges/11-28 "Judges 11:28 - Ammonite King's Rejection") abruptly ends this diplomatic exchange, signaling the failure of human reason and negotiation, and directly preceding the pivotal moment when the Spirit of the LORD comes upon Jephthah in [Judges 11:29](/judges/11-29 "Judges 11:29 - The Spirit of the LORD Comes Upon Jephthah"), preparing him for battle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 12th-11th century BCE) was characterized by tribal disunity, cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. Israel lacked a centralized monarchy, and local leaders ("judges") arose by divine appointment to address specific crises. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot ([Genesis 19:38](/genesis/19-38 "Genesis 19:38 - Origin of the Ammonites")), were a Transjordanian people frequently in conflict with Israel over territory, particularly Gilead, which lay east of the Jordan River. Their claims often stemmed from ancient disputes and a desire to expand their influence. Diplomacy, while attempted, was often a prelude to war in this era, and the refusal to "hearken" or accept terms was a clear declaration of hostile intent. The concept of "divine right" to land was central to Israelite identity, contrasting with the Ammonite king's purely territorial and power-based claims.
* **Key Themes:** [Judges 11:28](/judges/11-28 "Judges 11:28 - Ammonite King's Rejection") powerfully underscores several key themes within the book of Judges and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **futility of human reason and diplomacy** when confronted with a hardened heart and a determined will for aggression. Jephthah's articulate and historically sound argument is utterly dismissed, revealing the limits of human effort in resolving deep-seated conflict without divine intervention. Secondly, it exemplifies the theme of **stubbornness and rejection of truth**, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament where individuals or nations refuse to acknowledge God's sovereignty or His people's legitimate claims, often leading to divine judgment, as seen in [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - The Danger of a Hardened Neck"). Finally, this verse serves as a crucial **catalyst for divine empowerment**, immediately preceding the Spirit of the LORD coming upon Jephthah. This demonstrates that when human efforts fail, God often steps in to accomplish His purposes, transforming a diplomatic impasse into a divinely-ordained military campaign.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened not (Hebrew, _shama'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (_shama'_) is profoundly significant. While it literally means "to hear," its usage in biblical contexts frequently extends to "to listen attentively," "to understand," and, most importantly, "to obey" or "to heed." Therefore, the Ammonite king's refusal was not merely a failure to perceive Jephthah's words audibly, but a deliberate and active rejection of their content, their logic, and their underlying theological claims. It signifies an unwillingness to comply with the reasonable demands and historical truths presented, demonstrating a defiant posture and a closed mind.
* **words (Hebrew, _devarim'_):** The Hebrew term דְּבָרִים (_devarim_), meaning "words," "matters," or "affairs," refers here to the comprehensive message Jephthah sent. This was not a mere casual statement but a carefully constructed diplomatic argument, a detailed historical account, and a theological appeal to divine sovereignty over the land. The king's rejection of these "words" is thus a rejection of a reasoned, multi-faceted case, underscoring the depth of his intransigence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the antagonist and emphasizes his position of authority. The use of "Howbeit" (or "Nevertheless") signals a direct contrast to the preceding narrative, highlighting the unexpected and stubborn refusal despite Jephthah's extensive efforts. It sets up the tension between Jephthah's logical appeal and the king's unreasoning obstinacy.
* **"hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah":** This is the core action of the verse, conveying the king's decisive rejection. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," "hearkened not" implies a deliberate refusal to listen, understand, and obey. It signifies not just a lack of attention but an active, willful dismissal of Jephthah's entire diplomatic and theological argument, demonstrating a profound lack of respect for both Jephthah and the God of Israel whose sovereignty Jephthah invoked.
* **"which he sent him":** This concluding phrase subtly emphasizes Jephthah's proactive and earnest attempt at peaceful resolution. It highlights that Jephthah had exhausted all diplomatic avenues, sending messengers and presenting his case clearly and fully. The king's failure to "hearken" is therefore not due to a lack of clarity or effort on Jephthah's part, but solely to the king's own hardened will.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 11:28 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as the verse starkly contrasts Jephthah's elaborate, reasoned, and historically grounded diplomatic overture (detailed in [Judges 11:15-27](/judges/11-15 "Judges 11:15-27 - Jephthah's Diplomatic Argument")) with the Ammonite king's terse, unyielding rejection. This brevity of the king's response, compared to Jephthah's lengthy speech, highlights his stubbornness and dismissiveness. The verse also functions as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, signaling the inevitable shift from diplomacy to military conflict. By closing the door on peace, it directly sets the stage for the Spirit of the LORD to come upon Jephthah in the very next verse ([Judges 11:29](/judges/11-29 "Judges 11:29 - The Spirit of the LORD Empowers Jephthah")), indicating divine intervention in the impending war. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the king's refusal: by rejecting Jephthah's "words," which were intended to avert war, the king ironically ensures the very conflict he seemingly sought to avoid, ultimately leading to his own defeat.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Ammonite king's refusal to "hearken" in Judges 11:28 resonates deeply with a pervasive biblical theme: the danger and consequences of a hardened heart that rejects truth and divine counsel. This stubbornness is not merely a political miscalculation but a spiritual posture of defiance against God's established order and His people. It illustrates the limits of human reason and diplomatic effort when faced with an adversary whose will is set against peace and justice. Theologically, this verse underscores God's sovereignty even in human impasses; when all human efforts fail, it often becomes the moment for divine intervention, as the narrative immediately pivots to God's empowerment of Jephthah. The rejection of Jephthah's words, which were rooted in Israel's divinely-given history, is implicitly a rejection of Yahweh's claim over the land and His people, setting the stage for a conflict that will ultimately demonstrate God's power.

* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - The Danger of a Hardened Neck")
* [Exodus 7:13](/exodus/7-13 "Exodus 7:13 - Pharaoh's Hardened Heart")
* [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Refusal to Listen to God's Voice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 11:28 offers profound lessons for contemporary life, reminding us that not all conflicts can be resolved through negotiation or reason, especially when one party is unwilling to genuinely listen or acknowledge truth. In our personal and communal lives, we often encounter situations where our best efforts at communication, reconciliation, or presenting a clear case are met with a closed mind or an entrenched position. This verse encourages us to discern when diplomatic avenues have been exhausted and when further engagement is futile. It highlights the importance of having exhausted all peaceful means before resorting to more drastic measures, mirroring Jephthah's responsible leadership. Furthermore, it challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we truly "hearkening" to others, to truth, and especially to God's word, or are we, like the Ammonite king, stubbornly set in our own ways, unwilling to listen or change? The verse implicitly points to a greater reliance on God when human efforts reach their limit, prompting us to trust in His sovereignty and timing for justice and resolution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you experienced the futility of reason or diplomacy when confronted with a hardened heart?**
* **How do you discern when to continue pursuing peaceful resolution and when to recognize that an impasse requires a different approach?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be "hearkening not" to divine wisdom or the counsel of others?**
* **How does the Ammonite king's rejection of Jephthah's words, rooted in God's historical acts, challenge your own willingness to accept God's claims in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jephthah send messengers instead of immediately going to war?**

Answer: Jephthah's decision to send messengers and present a detailed historical and theological argument, as seen in [Judges 11:12-27](/judges/11-12 "Judges 11:12-27 - Jephthah's Diplomatic Exchange"), demonstrates responsible and righteous leadership. Before resorting to bloodshed, he exhausted all diplomatic avenues, seeking a peaceful resolution based on historical facts and divine claims. This approach aligns with biblical principles that encourage seeking peace and justice before engaging in conflict, even when one has a just cause (e.g., [Deuteronomy 20:10-12](/deuteronomy/20-10 "Deuteronomy 20:10-12 - Laws for War and Peace")). His actions show he was not a warmonger but a leader who sought to uphold God's covenant and protect His people through all available means.

**What was the significance of the Ammonite king's refusal to "hearken"?**

Answer: The refusal to "hearken" (Hebrew _shama'_) was more than just not hearing; it signified a deliberate and active rejection of Jephthah's entire message, including its historical accuracy and theological implications. It was a willful act of defiance, indicating a closed mind and a heart set on aggression rather than peace or justice. This stubbornness is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to severe consequences for those who refuse to listen to wisdom or divine instruction, as illustrated in passages like [Proverbs 1:24-25](/proverbs/1-24 "Proverbs 1:24-25 - Wisdom's Call Rejected"). The king's refusal made conflict inevitable and underscored his spiritual obstinacy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 11:28, though set in a context of ancient territorial dispute, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate rejection of God's perfect messenger, Jesus Christ. Just as Jephthah, acting as a deliverer and speaking words of truth rooted in God's historical acts, was "hearkened not" by the Ammonite king, so too was Jesus, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), rejected by many during His earthly ministry. He came speaking words of life, truth, and peace, offering the ultimate covenant of grace, yet [He was despised and rejected by mankind](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected"). The world, in its hardened heart, often refused to "hearken" to His message of repentance and salvation, preferring its own ways, much like the Ammonite king preferred his aggressive claims over Jephthah's reasoned plea. However, unlike Jephthah's subsequent military victory, Christ's "conflict" was the cross, where His rejection and suffering became the means of ultimate peace and reconciliation for all who would believe. His triumph over sin and death, achieved through His willing sacrifice, offers a peace that human diplomacy could never secure, fulfilling the deepest longing for true peace that the failed negotiations in Judges 11:28 could only hint at (cf. [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Thus, the stubborn refusal in Judges 11:28 serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting the profound grace and divine power demonstrated in Christ's ultimate victory over a world that "hearkened not."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 14:11

But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which [belongeth] to Judah.

Proverbs 16:18

¶ Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.