Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 11:12

"And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come unto me to fight against my land?" — Judges 11:12 (ASV)

What hast thou to do with me? —Literally, What to me and to you? (Joshua 22:24; 2 Samuel 16:10, and other similar passages). Jephthah speaks in the name of Israel, as an acknowledged prince. His message resembles the preliminary negotiations of the Roman generals when they sent the Fetiales to proclaim the justice of their cause (Liv. i. 24).