The story of Jephthah, dark and ambiguous as it is, would be insignificant if he had not made the unnecessary “vow” to sacrifice a person. Perhaps this sacrifice is the biggest irony in the entire book. Jephthah, hated and pushed aside by his brothers for being an illegitimate son with no right to inherit the land, is forced to flee to the region of Tob to live among people who have no jobs or income. The author does not yet reveal that the Spirit of God is with this brave warrior, yet he becomes the leader of a small group of men. Jephthah’s half-brothers overlook their old prejudices against him when they find themselves oppressed by the Ammonites and seek him out as their leader. At this point, the reader can see that something is wrong because instead of calling out to God, they first turn to this illegitimate son of Israel.