Jephthah's Daughter: The Sacrifice (Judges 11)

The judge Jephthah the Gileadite, preparing for battle against the children of Ammon, makes an unnecessary vow to God that he will sacrifice the first thing he sees upon his victorious return home.  Jephthah's daughter, rushing out to greet her father in joy, becomes the willing sacrifice, provided she be allowed two months alone with her female companions to lament her premature death as a virgin.  She thus becomes a nameless legend among the daughters of Israel.