What vow did Jephthah make to secure victory against Ammon?

• A. He vowed to sacrifice whatever first walked out of his house.
• B. He vowed to fast for forty days.
• C. He vowed to give a tenth of spoils to the priest.
• D. He vowed to surrender the throne to his brother.

Answer: (A)

Jephthah’s vow centers on a rash promise to dedicate to the Lord whatever first comes out of his house to meet him after a victory over Ammon. He believes victory will come, and to honor the vow, he binds himself to that extreme act, showing how quickly a single impulsive oath can lead to tragic consequences. In Judges 11, the first to greet him is his daughter, which fulfills the vow in a devastating way and highlights the seriousness and danger of making oaths without careful consideration of the possible outcome. The other ideas—fasting for forty days, giving a tenth of spoils to the priest, or surrendering the throne to a brother—do not reflect this story or the vow Jephthah actually made.