Judges 19 Study Notes: The Outrage at Gibeah
A Levite from Ephraim fetches his concubine from Bethlehem, leaves late after repeated delays, and bypasses Jebus for the Benjamite town of Gibeah. Only an old outsider takes them in; that night the town’s men assault her after the Levite sends her out to them, and word of the crime shocks all Israel.
General
What did those who learned of the crime urge Israel to do (Judges 19:30)?
Answer: Weigh the matter, seek advice together, and declare what must be done
After the Levite sent word of the crime throughout Israel’s territory (19:29; compare 20:6), all who saw it declared that nothing like this had ever happened since Israel came out of Egypt (19:30). They called on the nation to think it over, consult together, and speak. This led to the whole nation gathering in unity at Mizpah in the LORD’s presence (20:1). Seeking counsel is wise (Proverbs 12:15), though the following chapters show how hard it was to act rightly in a time when everyone did what he thought best.
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Those who saw it say nothing like it has been seen since the exodus and urge Israel to consider, deliberate, and speak.
- Judges 20:1 (BSB)“Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.”All Israel assembles as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
- Proverbs 12:15 (BSB)“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.”A wise man listens to counsel.
Theological
What response does Judges 19:30 record from everyone who saw what had been done?
Answer: They said nothing like it had happened since the exodus and called for deliberation
The onlookers judge the deed unprecedented since Israel came out of Egypt and summon the nation to reflect, deliberate together, and give their judgment (19:30). The call leads to the united assembly of Israel at Mizpah in the LORD’s presence (20:1). Counsel is the way of wisdom (Proverbs 12:15), yet the sequel shows how difficult right action proved in a kingless age.
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Those who saw it say nothing like it has been seen since the exodus and urge Israel to consider, deliberate, and speak.
- Judges 20:1 (BSB)“Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.”All Israel assembles as one man before the LORD at Mizpah.
- Proverbs 12:15 (BSB)“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.”A wise man listens to counsel.
General
Which earlier account does the scene at Gibeah closely resemble (Judges 19:22-25)?
Answer: Sodom, where the townsmen ringed Lot’s house at night
The scene in Gibeah closely resembles what happened in Sodom: townsmen surround the house where a traveler is a guest, demand that he be brought out, and the host pleads with them and offers women of the household instead (compare 19:22-25 with Genesis 19:4-8). The shocking difference is that Gibeah was a town of Israel. God’s own people had become like Sodom, the city God destroyed (Genesis 19:24-25). Hosea later said Israel had kept on sinning ever since the time of Gibeah (Hosea 10:9), and those who saw what happened said nothing like it had occurred since the exodus (19:30).
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Those who saw it say nothing like it has been done since Israel came out of Egypt.
- Genesis 19:4 (BSB)“Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house.”At Sodom the men of the city, young and old, surrounded the house where Lot’s guests were staying.
- Genesis 19:24-25 (BSB)“Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground.”The LORD rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them.
- Hosea 10:9 (BSB)“Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?”Hosea says Israel has kept on sinning since the days of Gibeah.
Theological
Which account in Genesis does the scene in Judges 19:22-25 closely resemble, and what is the point of the likeness?
Answer: Sodom; an Israelite town now behaves like the city God destroyed
The narrative closely parallels Sodom (compare 19:22-25 with Genesis 19:4-8): townsmen surround the host’s house, demand the guest, and the host offers the women of the house. The point is devastating: an Israelite town has become Sodom, the city the LORD overthrew (Genesis 19:24-25). Hosea traces Israel’s persistent sin back to the time of Gibeah (Hosea 10:9), and the onlookers declare the deed unmatched since the exodus (19:30).
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Those who saw it say nothing like it has been done since Israel came out of Egypt.
- Genesis 19:4 (BSB)“Before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house.”At Sodom the men of the city, young and old, surrounded the house where Lot’s guests were staying.
- Genesis 19:24-25 (BSB)“Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground.”The LORD rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them.
- Hosea 10:9 (BSB)“Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity?”Hosea says Israel has kept on sinning since the days of Gibeah.
General
What repeatedly kept the Levite from leaving Bethlehem (Judges 19:4-8)?
Answer: Her father kept urging him to eat and stay longer
Her father prevailed on the Levite to stay three days, eating and drinking with him (19:4). On the fourth morning he urged him to eat first, and then pressed him to stay one more night and enjoy himself (19:5-7). When the fifth morning came he again urged him to eat, and they lingered until late afternoon (19:8). Generous hospitality was highly valued, as Abraham’s welcome of his guests shows (Genesis 18:2-5) and as the New Testament still teaches (Romans 12:13), but these repeated delays meant the travelers would set out with the day almost gone.
- Judges 19:4-6 (BSB)“His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there. On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning and prepared to depart, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and then you can go.” So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.””The father-in-law keeps the Levite three days, then persuades him to stay a fourth night.
- Judges 19:7-8 (BSB)“The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night. On the fifth day, he got up early in the morning to depart, but the girl’s father said, “Please refresh your heart.” So they waited until late afternoon and the two of them ate.”On the fifth day the father again urges him to eat, and they linger until late afternoon.
- Genesis 18:2-5 (BSB)“And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.””Abraham eagerly offered food and rest to his guests.
- Romans 12:13 (BSB)“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”Believers are told to practice hospitality.
Theological
How does Judges 19:4-8 describe the father-in-law’s treatment of the Levite?
Answer: He kept pressing him to eat, drink, and stay another night
The father-in-law detains the Levite three days (19:4), then on the fourth and fifth mornings repeatedly presses him to eat and stay longer (19:5-8). His lavish hospitality fits the honored custom seen in Abraham and commended in the New Testament (Genesis 18:2-5; Romans 12:13), but the cumulative delay means the party leaves late on the fifth afternoon, setting up the dangers of the night journey.
- Judges 19:4-6 (BSB)“His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there. On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning and prepared to depart, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and then you can go.” So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.””The father-in-law keeps the Levite three days, then persuades him to stay a fourth night.
- Judges 19:7-8 (BSB)“The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night. On the fifth day, he got up early in the morning to depart, but the girl’s father said, “Please refresh your heart.” So they waited until late afternoon and the two of them ate.”On the fifth day the father again urges him to eat, and they linger until late afternoon.
- Genesis 18:2-5 (BSB)“And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.””Abraham eagerly offered food and rest to his guests.
- Romans 12:13 (BSB)“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”Believers are told to practice hospitality.
General
True or False: When the girl’s father urged him to stay yet another night, the Levite refused and set out though the day was nearly over (Judges 19:9-10).
Answer: True
This is true. As evening approached on that fifth afternoon, the father-in-law pointed out that the day was nearly done and begged the Levite to spend one more night (19:9). The Levite would not stay. He left with his concubine, his servant, and his two donkeys, and by the time they came near Jebus, which the text identifies as Jerusalem, the day was far spent (19:10-11). Jebus had been allotted to Benjamin (Joshua 18:28), but the Jebusites still lived there because Benjamin had not driven them out (1:21).
- Judges 19:9-10 (BSB)“When the man got up to depart with his concubine and his servant, his father-in-law, the girl’s father, said to him, “Look, the day is drawing to a close. Please spend the night. See, the day is almost over. Spend the night here, that your heart may be merry. Then you can get up early tomorrow for your journey home.” But the man was unwilling to spend the night. He got up and departed, and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.”The Levite refuses another night and leaves late, arriving opposite Jebus, which is Jerusalem.
- Joshua 18:28 (BSB)“Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.”Jebus, identified as Jerusalem, and Gibeah were both listed among Benjamin’s cities.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”The Benjamites had not driven the Jebusites out of Jerusalem.
Theological
True or False: The Levite declined a further night in Bethlehem and departed with evening approaching (Judges 19:9-10).
Answer: True
This is true. Despite the father-in-law’s plea that the day was ending (19:9), the Levite insists on leaving and reaches the vicinity of Jebus, identified as Jerusalem, late in the day with his concubine, servant, and donkeys (19:10-11). Though listed among Benjamin’s cities (Joshua 18:28), Jebus remained in Jebusite hands (1:21).
- Judges 19:9-10 (BSB)“When the man got up to depart with his concubine and his servant, his father-in-law, the girl’s father, said to him, “Look, the day is drawing to a close. Please spend the night. See, the day is almost over. Spend the night here, that your heart may be merry. Then you can get up early tomorrow for your journey home.” But the man was unwilling to spend the night. He got up and departed, and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.”The Levite refuses another night and leaves late, arriving opposite Jebus, which is Jerusalem.
- Joshua 18:28 (BSB)“Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.”Jebus, identified as Jerusalem, and Gibeah were both listed among Benjamin’s cities.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”The Benjamites had not driven the Jebusites out of Jerusalem.
General
Why did the Levite travel to Bethlehem after his concubine left him (Judges 19:2-3)?
Answer: To win her back with gentle words and take her home
The concubine was unfaithful to the Levite and returned home to her father in Bethlehem, where she stayed four months (19:2). Then the Levite set out with his servant and two donkeys to win her back with gentle words and persuade her to return (19:3). She took him into the family home, and her father gladly welcomed him and pressed him to stay (19:3-4). When the Levite finally left for home, his concubine went with him (19:10), so the aim he set out with was reached. The rest of the chapter, however, shows how little his later conduct matched that gentle beginning.
- Judges 19:2-3 (BSB)“But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah. After she had been there four months, her husband got up and went after her to speak kindly to her and bring her back, taking his servant and a pair of donkeys. So the girl brought him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.”The concubine is unfaithful and returns to her father’s house; after four months the Levite goes to win her back.
- Judges 19:4 (BSB)“His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.”Her father persuades the Levite to stay with him three days.
- Judges 19:10 (BSB)“But the man was unwilling to spend the night. He got up and departed, and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.”The Levite sets out for home with his concubine.
Theological
What purpose does Judges 19:3 give for the Levite’s journey after his concubine had gone home to her father?
Answer: To win her back with gentle words and take her home
After her unfaithfulness and four months at her father’s house (19:2), the Levite sets out to address her gently and win her back (19:3), and her father receives him gladly and detains him (19:4). He does take her home with him (19:10), so the journey’s stated purpose is reconciliation. That gentle aim stands in stark contrast to how he later treats her in Gibeah.
- Judges 19:2-3 (BSB)“But she was unfaithful to him and left him to return to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah. After she had been there four months, her husband got up and went after her to speak kindly to her and bring her back, taking his servant and a pair of donkeys. So the girl brought him into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.”The concubine is unfaithful and returns to her father’s house; after four months the Levite goes to win her back.
- Judges 19:4 (BSB)“His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded him to stay, so he remained with him three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there.”Her father persuades the Levite to stay with him three days.
- Judges 19:10 (BSB)“But the man was unwilling to spend the night. He got up and departed, and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.”The Levite sets out for home with his concubine.
General
What happened when the travelers arrived in Gibeah at sunset (Judges 19:15)?
Answer: They sat in the open square, yet no one offered them lodging
Night was falling as they came close to Gibeah, a town of Benjamin (not to be confused with Gibeon), and they turned in to lodge there (19:14-15). The Levite took a seat in the open square, yet nobody brought them indoors for the night (19:15). God’s law told Israel to treat even a foreigner living among them like a native Israelite and to love him (Leviticus 19:33-34); if that was owed to a foreigner, how much more to a fellow Israelite. The New Testament also calls God’s people to welcome strangers (Hebrews 13:2; Romans 12:13). Gibeah’s coldness toward fellow Israelites is the first sign of the town’s moral condition.
- Judges 19:14-15 (BSB)“So they continued on their journey, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. They stopped to go in and lodge in Gibeah. The Levite went in and sat down in the city square, but no one would take them into his home for the night.”They reach Gibeah of Benjamin at sunset, sit in the square, and no one takes them in.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (BSB)“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”Israel was to treat the foreigner among them as native-born and love him.
- Hebrews 13:2 (BSB)“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”Believers must not neglect hospitality to strangers.
- Romans 12:13 (BSB)“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”Believers are told to practice hospitality.
Theological
What does Gibeah’s response to the travelers in Judges 19:15 reveal about the town?
Answer: It left fellow Israelites in the square with no welcome at all
Arriving at Gibeah of Benjamin at sunset (19:14), distinct from Gibeon, the travelers sit in the square and no one receives them (19:15). The law commanded love even for the foreigner residing in Israel (Leviticus 19:33-34), so how much more was kindness owed to a fellow Israelite, and the New Testament renews the call to hospitality (Hebrews 13:2; Romans 12:13). Gibeah’s failure here is the first symptom of the corruption about to be exposed.
- Judges 19:14-15 (BSB)“So they continued on their journey, and the sun set as they neared Gibeah in Benjamin. They stopped to go in and lodge in Gibeah. The Levite went in and sat down in the city square, but no one would take them into his home for the night.”They reach Gibeah of Benjamin at sunset, sit in the square, and no one takes them in.
- Leviticus 19:33-34 (BSB)“When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”Israel was to treat the foreigner among them as native-born and love him.
- Hebrews 13:2 (BSB)“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”Believers must not neglect hospitality to strangers.
- Romans 12:13 (BSB)“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”Believers are told to practice hospitality.
General
Who finally took the Levite and his party into his home in Gibeah (Judges 19:16-21)?
Answer: An aged Ephraimite who lived there as an outsider
As evening came, an old man returned from a day of labor in the fields. He was from Ephraim’s hill country, living as a resident in Gibeah, whose people were Benjamites (19:16). Seeing the traveler, he asked where he was going (19:17). After hearing that no one had taken them in, though they had their own supplies (19:18-19), he greeted them with peace, offered to meet all their needs, urged them not to stay out in the open square, and fed their donkeys, and the guests washed and shared a meal (19:20-21). It was an outsider, not a native of the town, who showed the kind of welcome Abraham had shown (Genesis 18:2-5) and Scripture commends (1 Peter 4:9).
- Judges 19:16-17 (BSB)“That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was residing in Gibeah (the men of that place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the field. When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?””An old man from Ephraim who lives in Gibeah comes in from the field and asks the traveler where he is going.
- Judges 19:20-21 (BSB)““Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.”The old man welcomes them, provides for all their needs, and brings them into his house.
- Genesis 18:2-5 (BSB)“And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.””Abraham’s welcome of strangers set the pattern of hospitality.
- 1 Peter 4:9 (BSB)“Show hospitality to one another without complaining.”Believers are to show hospitality without complaining.
Theological
What is significant about the man who sheltered the Levite in Gibeah (Judges 19:16-21)?
Answer: He was a fellow Ephraimite residing there, not a Benjamite native
The host is an elderly Ephraimite residing as a sojourner among the Benjamites of Gibeah (19:16). Hearing the travelers’ need (19:17-19), he bids them peace, supplies everything, and brings them in, feeding the animals, and the guests wash their feet and eat (19:20-21). The only hospitality in Gibeah comes from an outsider, echoing Abraham’s model (Genesis 18:2-5) and the hospitality Scripture enjoins (1 Peter 4:9), and exposing the native townsmen.
- Judges 19:16-17 (BSB)“That evening an old man from the hill country of Ephraim, who was residing in Gibeah (the men of that place were Benjamites), came in from his work in the field. When he looked up and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?””An old man from Ephraim who lives in Gibeah comes in from the field and asks the traveler where he is going.
- Judges 19:20-21 (BSB)““Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.”The old man welcomes them, provides for all their needs, and brings them into his house.
- Genesis 18:2-5 (BSB)“And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.””Abraham’s welcome of strangers set the pattern of hospitality.
- 1 Peter 4:9 (BSB)“Show hospitality to one another without complaining.”Believers are to show hospitality without complaining.
General
Why did the Levite refuse to lodge in Jebus (Judges 19:11-12)?
Answer: It was a city of foreigners, with no Israelites living there
Near Jebus, with daylight nearly gone, his servant suggested stopping there for the night (19:11). His master refused because it was a foreign city with no Israelites in it, and said they would press on toward Gibeah (19:12). Jebus was still in Jebusite hands because Benjamin had not driven them out (1:21). He preferred to stay among Israelites, but the Benjamite town of Gibeah would prove deeply wicked, so much so that all Israel later demanded that its wicked men be handed over (20:13).
- Judges 19:11-12 (BSB)“When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Please, let us stop at this Jebusite city and spend the night here.” But his master replied, “We will not turn aside to the city of foreigners, where there are no Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.””The servant suggests lodging in Jebus, but the Levite refuses to stay in a foreign city and presses on toward Gibeah.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”The Benjamites had failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem.
- Judges 20:13 (BSB)“Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.”Israel later demands that Benjamin hand over the wicked men of Gibeah.
Theological
What reason did the Levite give for bypassing Jebus in Judges 19:12, and what irony follows?
Answer: It was foreign, yet the Israelite town he chose proved deeply wicked
The Levite refuses to lodge among foreigners who are not Israelites and presses on to Gibeah (19:11-12); Jebus remained Jebusite because Benjamin had failed to dispossess it (1:21). The irony is bitter: the Israelite town he trusts becomes the scene of such wickedness that the tribes demand Benjamin surrender Gibeah’s wicked men (20:13).
- Judges 19:11-12 (BSB)“When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Please, let us stop at this Jebusite city and spend the night here.” But his master replied, “We will not turn aside to the city of foreigners, where there are no Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.””The servant suggests lodging in Jebus, but the Levite refuses to stay in a foreign city and presses on toward Gibeah.
- Judges 1:21 (BSB)“The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.”The Benjamites had failed to drive the Jebusites out of Jerusalem.
- Judges 20:13 (BSB)“Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.”Israel later demands that Benjamin hand over the wicked men of Gibeah.
General
True or False: Judges 19 opens by reminding readers once more that in those days Israel had no king.
Answer: True
This is true. The chapter begins in the days when Israel had no king (19:1), the same reminder that introduced the Danites’ story (18:1) and that the book’s final verse repeats in full, adding that everyone did what he thought was right (21:25). Moses had warned Israel against exactly that kind of self-rule (Deuteronomy 12:8). The main character is a Levite (a member of Israel’s priestly tribe of Levi) whose home was in the far hills of Ephraim and who took a concubine (a wife of secondary rank) from the Judean town of Bethlehem (19:1). He is a different man from the young Levite of chapters 17-18, who came from Bethlehem and served Micah’s idols.
- Judges 19:1 (BSB)“Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.”The account opens by noting again that Israel had no king, and introduces a Levite from Ephraim and his concubine from Bethlehem.
- Judges 18:1 (BSB)“In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.”The Danite story opened with the same reminder.
- Judges 21:25 (BSB)“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”The book ends with the full refrain about everyone doing what he thought right.
- Deuteronomy 12:8 (BSB)“You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.”Moses had warned against everyone doing what seemed right to himself.
Theological
True or False: The narrator opens Judges 19 with a renewed notice that Israel was without a king at that time.
Answer: True
This is true. The kingless refrain (19:1) introduces this account as it did the Danite migration (18:1), and the book closes with its full form, everyone following his own judgment (21:25), the very self-rule Moses forbade (Deuteronomy 12:8). The protagonist is a Levite living in remote Ephraim who takes a concubine (a secondary wife) from Bethlehem (19:1), not to be confused with the Bethlehemite Levite of chapters 17-18 who served Micah’s shrine.
- Judges 19:1 (BSB)“Now in those days, when there was no king in Israel, a Levite who lived in the remote hill country of Ephraim took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.”The account opens by noting again that Israel had no king, and introduces a Levite from Ephraim and his concubine from Bethlehem.
- Judges 18:1 (BSB)“In those days there was no king in Israel, and the tribe of the Danites was looking for territory to occupy. For up to that time they had not come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.”The Danite story opened with the same reminder.
- Judges 21:25 (BSB)“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”The book ends with the full refrain about everyone doing what he thought right.
- Deuteronomy 12:8 (BSB)“You are not to do as we are doing here today, where everyone does what seems right in his own eyes.”Moses had warned against everyone doing what seemed right to himself.
General
How does the book present what was done in Gibeah that night (Judges 19:22-28)?
Answer: As grave wickedness, condemned and in no way approved
While the old man was hosting his guests, the town’s wicked men ringed the house and demanded the Levite. The old man offered his own daughter and the concubine instead, and the Levite sent his concubine out to them, and the men assaulted her through the night (19:22-26). The narrator calls these men wicked (19:22), those who learned of it declared that no such deed had been done since the exodus (19:30), and the tribes named it wickedness and demanded that the guilty men be handed over (20:12-13). The old man’s offer and the Levite’s act are condemned too: God’s law commands love for one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), not sending a defenseless woman out to violent men. Centuries later, Hosea still pointed back to Gibeah as a byword for deep corruption (Hosea 9:9).
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Everyone who sees what was done says nothing like it has happened since the exodus and calls for Israel to deliberate.
- Judges 20:12-13 (BSB)“And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you? Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.”The tribes call the deed wickedness and demand the wicked men of Gibeah be handed over.
- Leviticus 19:18 (BSB)“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”God’s law commands love for one’s neighbor.
- Hosea 9:9 (BSB)“They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.”Hosea compares Israel’s deep corruption to the days of Gibeah.
Theological
How does the book frame the events of that night in Gibeah (Judges 19:22-28)?
Answer: As grave wickedness, condemned by the narrator and by God’s law
The townsmen besiege the house and demand the guest; the old man offers his daughter and the concubine, and the Levite sends his concubine out to them, and the men assault her through the night (19:22-26). The narrator’s own label for the men (19:22), the onlookers’ horror (19:30), and the tribes’ verdict (20:12-13) all brand the deed as wickedness, and God’s law of neighbor-love (Leviticus 19:18) condemns not only the mob’s crime but also the host’s offer and the Levite’s sending her out to them. Hosea makes the time of Gibeah a proverb of Israel’s corruption (Hosea 9:9).
- Judges 19:30 (BSB)“And everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has been seen or done from the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt until this day. Think it over, take counsel, and speak up!””Everyone who sees what was done says nothing like it has happened since the exodus and calls for Israel to deliberate.
- Judges 20:12-13 (BSB)“And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What is this wickedness that has occurred among you? Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.”The tribes call the deed wickedness and demand the wicked men of Gibeah be handed over.
- Leviticus 19:18 (BSB)“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”God’s law commands love for one’s neighbor.
- Hosea 9:9 (BSB)“They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.”Hosea compares Israel’s deep corruption to the days of Gibeah.