Judges 19

Judges 19:1

WHen there was no king] i. e. No supreme magistrate to punish sin: which is rendred as a reason of this concubines continuing in whoredom, because she was not punished for it, neither in Judah nor Ephraim; and of that outragious wickednesse of the men of Gibeah, which followed upon it. See Chap. 17. 6. and 18. 1. and 21. 25.

a cencubine] Hebr. a woman a concubine, or, a wife a concubine; so called, to distinguish her from a common harlo; and also from the lawfull wife, who was mother of the family, and the onely true wife, by Gods first institution, Genesis 2:18; Genesis 2:24. Malachi 2:15. Matthew 19:4. 5. and by his law, Leviticus 18:18. 1 Corinthians 7:2.

Beth-lehem-judah] See Chap. 12. 7.

Judges 19:2

against him] i. e. Against her faith and promise made unto him, she committed whoredom with others; for though concubines were no wayes equall to the lawfull wife, yet were they contracted, though not so solemnly; and therefore bound to keep their faith to them to whom they were contracted. See Genesis 22:24. 1 Kin. 11. 1.

went away] i. e. Out of dislike or fear.

four whole moneths] Or, a yeer and four moneths. Hebr. dayes four moneths.

Judges 19:3

to speak friendly] Hebr. to her heart: i. e. By loving perswasions to reclaim and bring her back with him, Genesis 34:3.

Judges 19:4

eat and drink] i. e. They feasted and made merry one with another, as the phrase is usually taken, Exodus 32:6.

Judges 19:5

they arose] i. e. They of the family.

he rose] i. e. The Levite also.

comfort thine heart] i. e. Refresh and strengthen thy self for thy journey. So Genesis 18:5. 1 Kings 13:7-8.

Comfort] Hebr. strengthen.

morsell of bread] i. e. With a little food.

Judges 19:8

untill after noon] Hebr. till the day declined.

Judges 19:9

groweth to an end] i. e. And therefore it is a time more fit to take up ones lodging, then to begin a journey.

home] Hebr. to thy tent.

Judges 19:10

Jerusalem] i. e. So called afterwards, but now a city of the Jebusites, Joshua 15:63. So that this story was of things done before the taking of Jerusalem, and expelling of the Jebusites, spoken of, Chap. 1. 8. if at least the people of Judah were not for their sins again beaten out by the Jebusites after they first took it.

Judges 19:11

Jebusites] Who were of the posterity of Canaan. See Genesis 10:16.

Judges 19:12

city of a stranger] i. e. A cursed nation, estanged from God and his people.

Judges 19:13

in Gibeah, or in Ramah] These two cities were neer Jebus northward, situate on hils in the way to mount Ephrain, whither the Levite travelled, v. 18. Some think that there were two cities of this name in the tribe of Benjamin; one situate on a mountain, the other in a plain, unto which this Levite came. See Chap. 20. 31.

Judges 19:18

house of the Lord] Which then was in Shiloh, not fr from mount Ephraim, Joshua 18:1. 1 Samuel 1:3.

receiveth] Hebr. gathereth.

Judges 19:19

there is] To wit, with us, for our own provision in our journey.

of any thing] To wit, saving a place to lodge in.

Judges 19:20

peace be with thee] i. e. Be of good chea, quiet and comfort thy self.

let all thy wants] Heb. i. e. I will undertake to supply all thy wants, and therefore take care for nothing.

Judges 19:21

they washed their feet] Which was one of the rites of hospitality towards travellers, in those hot countreys. See Genesis 18:4. 19 2.

Judges 19:22

sons of Belial] i. e. Most wicked men, or desperately wicked, who had quite shaken off all law, and the yoke of government, Deuteronomy 13:13.

beset the house round about] Genesis 19:4. Hosea 9:9. and Hosea 10:9.

may know them] A modest expression of their slthy lust, according to the scripture phrase. See Genesis 19:5. Genesis 4:1.

Judges 19:23

into my house] To wit, that ye may be afe under my protection from suffering any wrong. See Genesis 19:8.

folly] See Genesis 34:7. 2 Samuel 13:12-13. Proverbs 7:7.

Judges 19:24

humble ye them] See Genesis 19:8. It was commendable in him that he highly prizeth the laws of hospitality; but the means to be condemned, as sinfull: and we may not do evil that good may come of it.

what seemeth good] i. e. use them at your pleasure.

so vile a thing] i. e. Such a notorious villany.

Judges 19:25

so the man] To wit, the Levite.

took his concubine] i. e. So reverencing the laws of hospitality, that he thought it unreasonable to expose his hosts daughter to be abused for his sake.

knew her] See v. 22.

Judges 19:26

fell down] i. e. Dead, or ready to die.

her lord] i. e. Her husband; so called for honours fake, which the Apostle commendeth in Sarah, 1 Peter 3:6.

Judges 19:27

go his way] i. e. To go on his journey.

and her hands] As if she had lien asleep.

Judges 19:28

none answered] She being stk dead.

Judges 19:29

sent her] To wit, piece-meal, that by such a horrid spectacle he migh incense their wrath, to take the more sharp revenge: the which his fact was inhumane, Deuteronomy 21:22.

into all the coasts] Because there was at that time no supreme to punish this soul fact, he addresseth himself and his complaint to the whole body of the people.

Judges 19:30

take advice] To wit, what course is to be taken in such a wofull case.