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.

 

They had sat down to breakfast and they started eating and it seemed to have turned in to a feast for they tarried long at the breakfast table.  The father must have really enjoyed the company of this Levite because he was asking him to be content, that is, if he would decide to stay all night again and let his heart be merry.  No doubt the father was bringing out the wine which caused them to be merry and helped forget about his wanting to leave so soon but they were not drinking to be drunk, but to be social.  They would also have pleasant dialogue all night.

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