then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, Please let me pass through your land; but the king of Edom didn't listen. In the same way, he sent to the king of Moab; but he would not: and Israel abode in Kadesh.
Finally, Jephthah called on Yahweh the Judge to judge who had rightful title to the land (Judges 11:27). The Ammonite king disregarded Jephthah’s message (Judges 11:28). He obviously believed he could take Gilead in battle.