שופטים, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ז

The conclusion of a diplomatic exchange often strips away political excuses to reveal the core truth of a conflict. Jephthah ends his message to the Ammonite king by firmly establishing that there is no justified cause for war, ultimately leaving the final verdict to the highest authority.

The primary approach among commentators is that the Israelites never attacked the Ammonites, nor did they take any action designed to provoke a fight or invite revenge. Since the Ammonites possess no valid territorial claim over the land, the only remaining justification for a military strike would be a personal offense or an insult to their honor. Because no such offense ever occurred, launching a military campaign is an outright moral injustice [מלבי״ם]. Choosing to go to war without a legitimate cause is a wrongful act that violates the established laws of kings and the accepted rules of diplomatic conduct [מלבי״ם].

When sovereign nations clash, there is often no earthly court capable of mediating the dispute. In the absence of a human judge to resolve the conflict, the decision must be handed over to heaven. God, as the true judge of the entire earth, is called upon to weigh the actions of both sides and deliver His ruling between Israel and Ammon [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].