Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Mennene fra Efraim ble kalt sammen. De dro over mot Safon og sa til Jefta: «Hvorfor dro du for å krige mot Ammons folk uten å sende bud på oss, så vi kunne dra med deg? Vi skal sette fyr både på deg og huset ditt!» Jefta sa til dem: «Både folket mitt og jeg var i en voldsom kamp med folket fra Ammon. Da jeg sendte bud etter dere, reddet dere meg ikke. Da dere ikke kom, tok jeg dette i egne hender og dro over mot folket fra Ammon. Herren lot meg vinne. Hvorfor har dere da kommet mot meg i dag for å kjempe mot meg?»
What Does This Mean?
The men of Ephraim are upset with Jephthah for not including them in the battle against the Ammonites. They threaten to burn Jephthah's house if he does not explain himself.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend went to play a big game without asking you to come along. You might feel left out and angry. The Ephraimites felt the same way about Jephthah, and they were so upset they threatened to burn his house!
Historical Background
This verse is part of the Book of Judges, written around 1000 BCE. It tells the story of Jephthah and his battles, and was written for the Israelites to understand their history and the consequences of their actions.
Living It Out Today
In modern life, this verse can remind us of the importance of communication and teamwork. If a leader excludes others without a good reason, it can lead to conflict. Imagine a project manager not consulting the team before making decisions; it could lead to similar tensions as described here.