Judges 19:1-6
Judges 19:1
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.
This
chapter ends with a revenge killing which basically describes the debauchery
which was permeating Israel. Once
again the Scriptures emphasize that there was no king in Israel and the people
were doing what was right in their own eyes.
Today we would probably call it “situation ethics” where a person does
what the situation calls for, whether it is right or wrong.
This is a narrative about a Levite who lived in the same place as
Jonathan did in chapter 18. This
chapter focuses on another Levite.
Instead of becoming married, he took a concubine from the area of
Bethlehem-Judah. A concubine was a
woman who would live with a man without the benefit of marriage.
Judges 19:2
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.
This
concubine played the whore against him, that is, she was unfaithful to him.
It also carries the meaning that she abhorred him so she left to go back
to her father’s house where she was welcomed to stay if she wanted to.
No parent would reject their child if they came home to stay.
She had stayed at her parent’s home for a full four months.
Some commentators believe she was there a full year.
Judges 19:3
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.
Then
the Levite went after her to claim her back and his intention was not bring her
back in a rough way but that he was coming to speak to her in a kind way.
The donkeys were to bring provisions for the journey and one for her to
ride upon. The distance from
Jerusalem in Bethlehem-Judah to Mount Ephraim was about 25 miles (40 km).
Once he arrived at her house, she introduced him to her father and the
result was that he was happy to meet him.
She may have given her father a good report about him and that increased
his joy in meeting him.
Judges 19:4
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.
The
woman’s father had compelled him to stay with them and not to depart in a short
time. He probably wanted to get to
know him a little better. So the
Levite stayed on to lodge there for three days.
Since there is no evidence that he was married to this woman, the term
“father in law” would have to be symbolic in the matter of their arrangement
where they lived together and the fact that it may have been a “common law”
marriage where no vows are said just living together.
Judges 19:5
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.
Then
after the three days were over, the Levite and the woman were ready to leave her
father’s house but the father had asked them to stay and have something to eat
and then begin their journey back home.
Then once they have breakfast, the three of them could begin their trek
toward home.
Judges 19:6
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.