Looking for a commander-in-chief is normal. The embarrassment of not finding one is not. It shows that the Israelites (in this case, the Gileadites) are out of practice for warfare. Israel should have still been fighting against the inhabitants of the Promised Land, but they have been loath to do so for quite some time now (compare Judges 1:27–36). Consequently their military organization and power has weakened.
18 Le peuple, les chefs de Galaad se dirent l'un à l'autre: Quel est l'homme qui commencera l'attaque contre les fils d'Ammon? Il sera chef de tous les habitants de Galaad.