Judges 11 and 12
These chapters tell us the story of Jephtha, one of the saints listed in the Epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 11, the faith chapter.
In these chapters in Judges we find out that Jephtha is Gilead's son by a prostitute, and Gilead's legitimate sons chased him off of the family's property. But when the Ammonites attacked, the elders called Jephtha back to lead the military against them, and he did, to receive the honor and respect as the ruler that he did not get from his half-brothers.
But Jephtha made a foolish vow, and, being an honorable man, he was true to his word, even thought it grieved him terribly. And we never do learn the name of this young woman, only that she is Jephtha's daughter, his only child.
May we consider the consequences before we speak, and always honor what we have said, even if it is to our own hurt (see Psalm 15:4). This is what Jephtha did, and God put him into His Hall of Heroes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
