And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth–lehem–judah.
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth–lehem–judah, and was there four whole months.
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.
And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.
And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.
And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth–lehem–judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth–lehem–judah, but I am now going to the house of the Lord; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.
Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.
Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light.
And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.
And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
Judges 19 stands as a stark and disturbing illustration of the moral and spiritual decay plaguing Israel during the period of the Judges. In an era marked by the absence of a righteous king and a collective turning away from God's law, the chapter unveils a horrifying account of violence, inhospitality, and the utter disregard for human dignity. This narrative serves not only as a historical record but also as a chilling warning about the consequences of societal breakdown when spiritual foundations crumble. The keywords "Judges 19" will help those looking for answers to understand it better.
A Levite's Journey and a Concubine's Fate (Judges 19:1-9)
The story centers around a Levite residing in the territory of Ephraim. He takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. In ancient Near Eastern societies, concubines occupied a position somewhere between a servant and a wife, often lacking the full rights and status of a primary spouse. The text reveals that the concubine was unfaithful to the Levite, leading her to return to her father's house in Bethlehem (Judges 19:2). The Hebrew word used to describe her unfaithfulness, zanah, often implies sexual immorality or adultery.
After a period of four months, the Levite travels to Bethlehem to reconcile with her. His actions suggest a degree of forgiveness and a desire to restore their relationship (Judges 19:3). The woman's father welcomes him warmly and extends generous hospitality, urging him to prolong his stay. The Levite, perhaps out of politeness or a genuine desire to mend the relationship, remains longer than initially intended, delaying his departure for several days (Judges 19:4-9).
Unwelcomed in Gibeah (Judges 19:10-21)
Finally, the Levite, accompanied by his concubine and servant, sets out to return to Ephraim. As dusk approaches, they find themselves near Jebus (later Jerusalem), a city inhabited by non-Israelites. The servant suggests seeking lodging there, but the Levite, driven by a sense of religious purity, refuses to stay in a foreign city (Judges 19:10-12).
Instead, they press on to Gibeah, a city within the territory of Benjamin, expecting to find hospitality among their fellow Israelites. However, their hopes are quickly dashed. They arrive to find a community devoid of basic human kindness. No one offers them shelter or even a simple greeting. Forced to settle in the city square, they face the prospect of spending the night exposed and vulnerable (Judges 19:13-15).
In a surprising turn, an elderly man, not a native of Gibeah, encounters the travelers and offers them refuge in his home. Recognizing the dangers they face in the city square, he insists they accept his hospitality. This act of kindness stands in stark contrast to the apathy and indifference displayed by the rest of the community (Judges 19:16-21).
Echoes of Sodom: Depravity Unleashed (Judges 19:22-24)
As the Levite and his companions enjoy the old man's hospitality, a mob of depraved men, described as "sons of wickedness," surround the house. Echoing the infamous events of Sodom (Genesis 19:4-5), they demand that the Levite be brought out so they can sexually abuse him. The parallels to the story of Lot in Sodom are undeniable, highlighting the extent to which Israel had fallen into moral corruption, mirroring the very Canaanite practices they were commanded to avoid.
The old man, desperate to protect his guest, offers a horrifying alternative: his own virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine, inviting the mob to abuse them instead. This shocking proposal reveals the depth of the moral depravity that had gripped the city, where even acts of hospitality were tainted by a twisted and callous disregard for the value of human life.
A Woman's Tragedy and a Nation's Shock (Judges 19:25-30)
The mob ignores the old man's offer and continues to demand the Levite. In a moment of utter cowardice and cruelty, the Levite forces his concubine out of the house and into the hands of the mob. All night long, she is subjected to brutal rape and abuse, finally being released only shortly before dawn (Judges 19:25-26).
Exhausted and broken, she manages to drag herself to the doorstep of the old man's house, where she collapses and dies. The Levite, seemingly unmoved by her suffering, callously instructs her to get up and continue their journey in the morning. When she doesn't respond, he discovers her lifeless body. Without remorse, he places her on a donkey and carries her back to his home (Judges 19:27-28).
In a final, gruesome act, the Levite dismembers his concubine's body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout the territory of Israel, accompanied by a message detailing the horrific events that had transpired (Judges 19:29). This shocking act is intended to provoke outrage and a demand for justice. The people of Israel respond with stunned disbelief, recognizing that such a heinous crime had not been seen since the days of the Exodus (Judges 19:30).
Lessons for Today
Judges 19 is a difficult chapter to read, but it offers important lessons for us today. It reminds us of the importance of:
- Upholding moral standards: When a society abandons its moral foundations, it opens the door to all kinds of evil.
- Showing hospitality: We should be welcoming to strangers and those in need.
- Protecting the vulnerable: We have a responsibility to stand up for those who are being abused and exploited.
- Seeking justice: We should demand that those who commit heinous crimes be held accountable.
- The devastating consequences of spiritual compromise: The chapter serves as a sobering reminder that when a nation, especially God's people, turns away from Him, moral decay and societal chaos are inevitable. It underscores the critical need for a divine standard to guide individuals and nations, lest they descend into tragedy.
The events of Judges 19 serve as a stark warning about the consequences of moral decay and the absence of righteous leadership. The chapter's disturbing narrative calls us to examine our own hearts and societies, urging us to uphold moral standards, practice genuine hospitality, protect the vulnerable, and seek justice for the oppressed. Only by embracing these values can we hope to avoid the tragic fate that befell Israel during the time of the Judges.
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth–lehem–judah.
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth–lehem–judah, and was there four whole months.
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.
And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home.
But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.
And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah.
And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was no man that took them into his house to lodging.
And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth–lehem–judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Beth–lehem–judah, but I am now going to the house of the Lord; and there is no man that receiveth me to house.
Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.
Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.
But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light.
And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.
And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
Judges 19 stands as a stark and disturbing illustration of the moral and spiritual decay plaguing Israel during the period of the Judges. In an era marked by the absence of a righteous king and a collective turning away from God's law, the chapter unveils a horrifying account of violence, inhospitality, and the utter disregard for human dignity. This narrative serves not only as a historical record but also as a chilling warning about the consequences of societal breakdown when spiritual foundations crumble. The keywords "Judges 19" will help those looking for answers to understand it better.
A Levite's Journey and a Concubine's Fate (Judges 19:1-9)
The story centers around a Levite residing in the territory of Ephraim. He takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. In ancient Near Eastern societies, concubines occupied a position somewhere between a servant and a wife, often lacking the full rights and status of a primary spouse. The text reveals that the concubine was unfaithful to the Levite, leading her to return to her father's house in Bethlehem (Judges 19:2). The Hebrew word used to describe her unfaithfulness, zanah, often implies sexual immorality or adultery.
After a period of four months, the Levite travels to Bethlehem to reconcile with her. His actions suggest a degree of forgiveness and a desire to restore their relationship (Judges 19:3). The woman's father welcomes him warmly and extends generous hospitality, urging him to prolong his stay. The Levite, perhaps out of politeness or a genuine desire to mend the relationship, remains longer than initially intended, delaying his departure for several days (Judges 19:4-9).
Unwelcomed in Gibeah (Judges 19:10-21)
Finally, the Levite, accompanied by his concubine and servant, sets out to return to Ephraim. As dusk approaches, they find themselves near Jebus (later Jerusalem), a city inhabited by non-Israelites. The servant suggests seeking lodging there, but the Levite, driven by a sense of religious purity, refuses to stay in a foreign city (Judges 19:10-12).
Instead, they press on to Gibeah, a city within the territory of Benjamin, expecting to find hospitality among their fellow Israelites. However, their hopes are quickly dashed. They arrive to find a community devoid of basic human kindness. No one offers them shelter or even a simple greeting. Forced to settle in the city square, they face the prospect of spending the night exposed and vulnerable (Judges 19:13-15).
In a surprising turn, an elderly man, not a native of Gibeah, encounters the travelers and offers them refuge in his home. Recognizing the dangers they face in the city square, he insists they accept his hospitality. This act of kindness stands in stark contrast to the apathy and indifference displayed by the rest of the community (Judges 19:16-21).
Echoes of Sodom: Depravity Unleashed (Judges 19:22-24)
As the Levite and his companions enjoy the old man's hospitality, a mob of depraved men, described as "sons of wickedness," surround the house. Echoing the infamous events of Sodom (Genesis 19:4-5), they demand that the Levite be brought out so they can sexually abuse him. The parallels to the story of Lot in Sodom are undeniable, highlighting the extent to which Israel had fallen into moral corruption, mirroring the very Canaanite practices they were commanded to avoid.
The old man, desperate to protect his guest, offers a horrifying alternative: his own virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine, inviting the mob to abuse them instead. This shocking proposal reveals the depth of the moral depravity that had gripped the city, where even acts of hospitality were tainted by a twisted and callous disregard for the value of human life.
A Woman's Tragedy and a Nation's Shock (Judges 19:25-30)
The mob ignores the old man's offer and continues to demand the Levite. In a moment of utter cowardice and cruelty, the Levite forces his concubine out of the house and into the hands of the mob. All night long, she is subjected to brutal rape and abuse, finally being released only shortly before dawn (Judges 19:25-26).
Exhausted and broken, she manages to drag herself to the doorstep of the old man's house, where she collapses and dies. The Levite, seemingly unmoved by her suffering, callously instructs her to get up and continue their journey in the morning. When she doesn't respond, he discovers her lifeless body. Without remorse, he places her on a donkey and carries her back to his home (Judges 19:27-28).
In a final, gruesome act, the Levite dismembers his concubine's body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout the territory of Israel, accompanied by a message detailing the horrific events that had transpired (Judges 19:29). This shocking act is intended to provoke outrage and a demand for justice. The people of Israel respond with stunned disbelief, recognizing that such a heinous crime had not been seen since the days of the Exodus (Judges 19:30).
Lessons for Today
Judges 19 is a difficult chapter to read, but it offers important lessons for us today. It reminds us of the importance of:
- Upholding moral standards: When a society abandons its moral foundations, it opens the door to all kinds of evil.
- Showing hospitality: We should be welcoming to strangers and those in need.
- Protecting the vulnerable: We have a responsibility to stand up for those who are being abused and exploited.
- Seeking justice: We should demand that those who commit heinous crimes be held accountable.
- The devastating consequences of spiritual compromise: The chapter serves as a sobering reminder that when a nation, especially God's people, turns away from Him, moral decay and societal chaos are inevitable. It underscores the critical need for a divine standard to guide individuals and nations, lest they descend into tragedy.
The events of Judges 19 serve as a stark warning about the consequences of moral decay and the absence of righteous leadership. The chapter's disturbing narrative calls us to examine our own hearts and societies, urging us to uphold moral standards, practice genuine hospitality, protect the vulnerable, and seek justice for the oppressed. Only by embracing these values can we hope to avoid the tragic fate that befell Israel during the time of the Judges.