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Judges 19 Israel's Idolatry and the Levite's Concubine

1 A Levite and His Concubine
In those days Israel had no king.
Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.

2 But she was unfaithful to him. She left him and went back to her father’s house in Bethlehem, Judah. After she had been there four months,

3 her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had with him his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.

4 His father-in-law, the girl’s father, prevailed upon him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there.

5 On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to leave, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh yourself with something to eat; then you can go.”

6 So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Afterward the girl’s father said, “Please stay tonight and enjoy yourself.”

7 And when the man got up to go, his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night.

8 On the morning of the fifth day, when he rose to go, the girl’s father said, “Refresh yourself. Wait till afternoon!” So the two of them ate together.

9 Then when the man, with his concubine and his servant, got up to leave, his father-in-law, the girl’s father, said, “Now look, it’s almost evening. Spend the night here; the day is nearly over. Stay and enjoy yourself. Early tomorrow morning you can get up and be on your way home.”

10 But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

11 When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Come, let’s stop at this city of the Jebusites and spend the night.”

12 His master replied, “No. We won’t go into an alien city, whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.”

13 He added, “Come, let’s try to reach Gibeah or Ramah and spend the night in one of those places.”

14 So they went on, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin.

15 There they stopped to spend the night. They went and sat in the city square, but no one took them into his home for the night.

16 That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was living in Gibeah (the men of the place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the fields.

17 When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”

18 He answered, “We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim where I live. I have been to Bethlehem in Judah and now I am going to the house of the Lord. No one has taken me into his house.

19 We have both straw and fodder for our donkeys and bread and wine for ourselves your servants—me, your maidservant, and the young man with us. We don’t need anything.”

20 “You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need. Only don’t spend the night in the square.”

21 So he took him into his house and fed his donkeys. After they had washed their feet, they had something to eat and drink.

22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.”

23 The owner of the house went outside and said to them, “No, my friends, don’t be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don’t do this disgraceful thing.

24 Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don’t do such a disgraceful thing.”

25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go.

26 At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight.

27 When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold.

28 He said to her, “Get up; let’s go.” But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.

29 When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel.

30 Everyone who saw it said, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!”

Previous Chapter Judges 18 Next Chapter Judges 20

Analysis of Judges Chapter 19

Judges Chapter 19 stands as one of the most troubling and thought-provoking chapters in the entire Bible. It delves into the dark depths of human depravity, showcasing the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during the time of the Judges. This chapter is not only a narrative of events but also a stark warning against the consequences of turning away from God. Through a detailed analysis of this chapter, we can glean important insights into the nature of sin, the significance of hospitality in ancient cultures, and the concept of justice and retribution. Let us examine the chapter verse by verse to uncover its deep meanings and theological implications.

Verses 1-3: Introducing the Levite and His Concubine

The chapter begins with the introduction of a Levite man from the hill country of Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. The word “concubine” refers to a secondary wife, often of lower social status, who nonetheless shares a formal and legitimate connection with the man.

“In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. And his concubine was unfaithful to him, and she went away from him to her father’s house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there some four months.” (Judges 19:1-2, ESV)

A couple of important elements stand out in these introductory verses:

  • No king in Israel: The repeated phrase “In those days there was no king in Israel” signals moral and social chaos, emphasizing the anarchy and lawlessness of the period. It sets the tone for the chaotic and disturbing events that follow.
  • Unfaithfulness and Reconciliation: The concubine’s unfaithfulness leads her to flee back to her father’s house. Despite her betrayal, the Levite sets out to bring her back, indicating a desire for reconciliation. This theme of seeking and granting forgiveness resonates deeply, even amid the turbulent context.

Verses 4-10: Hospitality and Departure

Upon arriving at the concubine’s father’s house, the Levite is received with great hospitality. This warm reception is a critical aspect of ancient Near Eastern culture, where hospitality was a fundamental virtue.

“And her father saw him, he came with joy to meet him. And his father-in-law, the girl’s father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there.” (Judges 19:3-4, ESV)

The extended period of hospitality, during which the father repeatedly encourages the Levite to stay longer, showcases the social norms of the time:

  • Hospitality as a Virtue: In the biblical context, offering hospitality was not merely a courtesy but a sacred duty. The father-in-law’s insistence on prolonging the stay highlights the cultural importance of ensuring guests are well taken care of.
  • Reconciliation Finalized: The Levite’s decision to stay multiple days signifies the mending of the relationship between him and his concubine. The narrative conveys reconciliation, reflecting the theme of grace and forgiveness.

Verses 11-15: Seeking Shelter in Gibeah

After finally departing, the Levite and his concubine, along with a servant, travel towards Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. As night falls, they seek a place to stay in the city square but receive no hospitality from the inhabitants.

“They turned aside there, to go in and spend the night at Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, for no one took them into his house to spend the night.” (Judges 19:15, ESV)

This verse contrasts sharply with the earlier display of hospitality:

  • Lack of Hospitality: The absence of an invitation heightens the tension and forebodes the tragic events to come. It reflects a major societal flaw and a departure from the expected moral standards.
  • Isolation and Vulnerability: The travelers’ isolation in the city square emphasizes their vulnerability and sets the stage for their ensuing ordeal.

Verses 16-21: The Kindness of an Old Man

Eventually, an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who is residing in Gibeah, offers them shelter. He ensures their safety and provides for their needs, upholding the virtue of hospitality where the Benjamites failed.

“And the old man said, ‘Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants. Only, do not spend the night in the square.’ So he brought him into his house and gave the donkeys feed. And they washed their feet, and ate and drank.” (Judges 19:20-21, ESV)

This kind gesture holds significant theological and moral undertones:

  • Contrast in Character: The old man’s hospitality starkly contrasts the inhospitable nature of the townspeople, shedding light on individual righteousness amid collective moral decay.
  • Sanctuary and Protection: The old man’s intervention provides a temporary sanctuary for the travelers, embodying the protective aspect of hospitality and foreshadowing a brief respite amid the upcoming horror.

Verses 22-26: The Heinous Crime

As the travelers enjoy the old man’s hospitality, a mob of wicked men from the city surround the house and demand to sexually assault the Levite. The old man offers his virgin daughter and the Levite’s concubine to the mob instead. Eventually, the Levite gives his concubine over to them, resulting in her brutal assault and eventual death.

“And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, until it was light.” (Judges 19:25-26, ESV)

The gravity of this crime is immense and serves as the climax of the chapter:

  • Depravity and Sin: The heinous actions of the mob reflect the utter moral corruption prevalent in Israel at the time. This event echoes the narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting the extent of Israel’s fall from grace.
  • Failure of Justice: The failure of the townspeople to offer hospitality is compounded by their perpetration of violence, demonstrating a breakdown of societal and judicial norms.
  • The Victim’s Silent Cry: The concubine’s death symbolizes the ultimate price of sin and moral decay. Her tragic end underscores the social and individual consequences of turning away from God’s justice and mercy.

Verses 27-30: The Aftermath and Call for Justice

In the morning, the Levite discovers his concubine dead at the doorstep. He takes her body, returns home, and dismembers her into twelve pieces, sending them throughout the twelve tribes of Israel as a call for justice.

“And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.” (Judges 19:29, ESV)

This final act is both shocking and symbolic:

  • Call for Justice: The dismemberment and distribution of the concubine’s body parts serve as a grim call for communal justice. It is an extraordinary and horrifying way to capture the attention of the entire nation and demand action.
  • Symbolic Reminder: Each tribe receiving a piece of her remains acts as a sobering reminder of the cost of collective sin and the need for unified repentance and redress.

Theological and Ethical Implications

Judges Chapter 19 brings to the fore several critical theological and ethical themes:

  • The Depth of Human Depravity: The narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the depths of human sin when divorced from the guiding principles of God’s law. It vividly portrays the complete breakdown of moral order.
  • The Role of Hospitality in Society: The contrasting examples of hospitality and its absence highlight the importance of caring for strangers and the catastrophic consequences when this virtue is neglected.
  • Communal Responsibility and Justice: The collective response to the injustice done to the concubine underscores the communal nature of justice and the need for society to address and rectify moral failings.
  • Echoes of Sodom and Gomorrah: The parallels to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a literary and theological device, linking the sins of Gibeah to those notorious cities and reinforcing the idea of divine judgment against collective sinfulness.

Conclusion

In its brutal and stark narrative, Judges Chapter 19 challenges readers to confront the realities of sin and the breakdown of social order. It serves as a grim reminder of what can occur when people forsake divine principles. Yet, it also holds within it an urgent call for justice, repentance, and the necessity of returning to God’s ways. This chapter, though dark and unsettling, underscores the Bible’s unflinching portrayal of human nature and the urgent need for divine grace and guidance in every age.