And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead. (Judges 11:8)
It is not certain whether the answer of the elders refers to the first or to the last part of Jephthah’s statement. Either will make good sense. In the first case they would have said, in effect, “Yes, we acknowledge that we did not treat you in the right way, and for that reason we are now wanting to make it right and repair the old wrong.” In the second, “Exactly so, but because we are in very great distress we appeal to you for help to protect your native land.”
Be our head.
In addition to the former offer of military leadership (v. 6), they now offer Jephthah the headship of all the clans in Gilead in peace as well as in war.