Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What have you to do with me, that you are come to me to fight against my land?
The king of Ammon made it quite clear in this reply that nothing short of Israel's giving up the disputed lands could avert the impending war.  It is to Jephthah's great credit that he effectively defended Israel's right to the disputed territory.  He did this with four very brilliant and truthful arguments.