Judges 19
PATthese images remained. And this taking of th£ ark, the Psalmist expressly calls a captivity, when he saith, Psal. lxxviii. 60, 61. " He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, &c. and delivered his strength into captivity; his glory into the enemy’s hand." As for the interpretation of Ralbag, who takes this captivity to have been in the days of Jabin, king of Canaan, it is not worth confuting. saluted him kindly, after the usual manner that friends and neighbours greeted each other.. Howsoever.’] Do npt speak of that.:,; Let all thy wants be upon me; only lodge not in the street.] I had rather entertain thee at my charge, than suffer thee to lie in the street.
Judges 19:1
Jx.ND it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israeli. In the time beforementioned, xvii. 6. xviii. 1. (See there.) « That there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of Mount Ephraim.] He seems to have been a stranger in this country, as the other Levite was, who sojourned in the land of Judah, (xvii. 7.) And he took him a concubine out of Beth-lehem- Judah.’]’ That is, a wife of the secondary sort, without such solemn espousals, or a dowry, as those called wives had. So the Talmudists generally think. But Abarbinel, following Rasi, thinks, that a concubine was taken with espousals, and only wanted a dowry, or a jointure (as we speak). Certain itis, such persons were really wives; and it was adultery in any other person that lay with them, but he who had married them. As this man had this woman, for he is expressly called her husband in the next chapter, (xx. 4.) and her father is called his father-in-law in this chapter, (ver. 47.) See Selden, lib. v. de Jure Nat. et Gent. cap. 7. and Buxtorf, de Sponsal. et Divortiis, p. 11, &c. where the opinion of Abarbinel is largely represented.
Judges 19:2
And his concubine played the whore against him. “Was false to his bed, into which she admitted some other person. And went away from him unto her father’s house in Bethlehem- Judah,,] To escape the punishment unto which she was liable as an adulteress: but there are those who, by the word tizneh, which we translate played the whore, will have no more; to be meant, but that she was froward and contumaciously disobedient; so that she could not endure his company, but forsook him: the Ch’aldee plainly inclines this way; and the LXX. translate it vpyfoSt) airy, She carried herself like a fury to him; and Josephus aWorplwg dfj^, She behaved herself nntowardly. And was there four whole months.] Or, as others take it, A year and four months. For days in Scripture frequently signify a year: but the LXX. and Josephus take it for sO many days as made four months.
Judges 19:3
And her husband arose, and xvent after her. His anger was over by this time, and his affection to her revived: perhaps also he heard she repented, and was become a better woman. To speak friendly to her.] In the Hebrew, To speak to her heart; that is, to make her sensible of his kindness to her, notwithstanding her’offence, and to assure her of his pardon. And to bring her again.] To his own habitation, from whence she went away. Having a servant with him, and a couple of asses.] And for that end came attended with a servant, to carry her and her baggage (as we now speak), with necessary provisions. And she brought him into her father’s house.] She. seems to have been as ready as he for a reconciliation. And when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to seehim.] Embraced him with great affection and joy.
Judges 19:4
And his father-in-law, the damseVs father, retained him. Would not let him go away, as soon as he desired.
Judges 19:5
And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he arose up to depart. With an intention to leave him, and return to his own house,. And the damseVs father said unto his son-in-taw, Comfort thy heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.] Her father had no mind to part.with him so soon, hoping, by keeping him longer in his housfe, their conjugal love and affection would be more confirmed: and devising’ this way to detain him, by desiring him to take a short repast with him, before he began his journey; for” this is meant by a morsel of bread, under which all sort of provisions are comprehended: wherewith lie desired himto comfort, or, as the word literally signifies in the Hebrew, support his heart; Which in English we express exactly by stay his stomach with a morsel, &c. For, in many authors, the heart signifies the stomach, as several have observed, particularly Gataker, in his Cinhus, lib. ii. cap. 16. Ver. G. And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together.] He made him a great feast, at which they sat a long time. For the damseVs father had said unto the man, Be content, J pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thy heart bd merry.] For he was earnest with him not to think of going away that day, but to spend it joyfully with him and with his daughter.
Judges 19:7
And token the man rose up to depart, his fatherin-law urged kim; therefore he lodged tkere again. He pressed bis stay so hard, that when he offered to be gone, he prevailed with htm to lodge there another night.
Judges 19:8
And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s fatker said unto him, Comfort thy keart, J pray thee. Stay till after dinner. And they tarried till afternoon, and they did eat both of them.] He prolonged the entertainment, so that the sun began to decline before they had done.
Judges 19:9
And ivhen the man rose up to depart, he, and Ids concubine, and his servant. Who had made all ready for their journey. His father-in-law, the damseVsfatker, said unto kim, Behold, noiv the day draweth towards evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day draweth to an end.] In the Hebrew the words are, It is the pitching time of the day; that is, when men pitch their tents, to take their rest. Lodge here, that thine heart may be merry.] He prays him that they may rejoice together one night more. And to-morroio get you early on your way, that thon mayest go home.] He promises not to detain them longer than this night, but to let them go away as early as they pleased next morning, without any entertainment.
Judges 19:10
But the man would not tarry that night. Suspecting his father would use still the same kind artifice, or some other, to keep him longer with him. But he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus (which is Jerusalem), and there were with him two asses saddled, and his concubine also was with him.] He carried away all that he brought, (ver. 3.) and his wife also, whom he went to invite again to dwell with him.
Judges 19:11
And when they toere by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in unto tkis city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. The famous city of Jerusalem (anciently called Jebus) had been taken by the children of Judah, (i. 8.) but the Jebusites still kept the strong fort of Sion, till the time of David, and thereby so commanded the lower town, that they forced the children of Judah and Benjamin to let them dwelj ^ith them there; (i. 21. Josh. xv. ult.) and it appears by this place, that they were the ruling party, and therefore it is called this city of the Jebusites. (See Josh. x. 1.)
Judges 19:12
And his master said unto kim, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel. This is an argument that he was not like the other Levite, mentioned in the seventeenth chapter; for he would not take up his lodging among idolaters: and it also shews, that the greater part of the inhabitants were Jebusites, and the children of Israel had little or no power there; yea, it is possible that this happened so long before the days of the judges, that Jerusalem was not yet taken by the children of Judah. We will pass over to Gibeah.] Which was possessed by the children of Israel, viz. the Benjamites.
Judges 19:13
And he said unto his servant, Come, and let its draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in RamakJ. The servant, I suppose, made some objection against Gibeah, and therefore he put him to his choice, either to go thither, or to Raraah; which was also a city belonging unto Benjamin, both of them lying northward of Jerusalem, and not far from it.
Judges 19:14
And they passed on, and went their way; and the sun tvent down tipon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongetk to Benjamin. This is noted, to distinguish it from another Gibeah which belonged to Judah, (Josh. xv. 57.)
Judges 19:15
And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah. Being unable to reach Ramah, unless they would have travelled in the night, which had not been safe. And token he went in, he sat him doxon in a street of tke city.] There being, I suppose, no public inn in the town, unto which strangers might resort. For there teas no man that took them into his kouse to lodging.] They were grown so lewd in this place, that there was no humanity left among them; but the ancient custom of hospitality, in entertaining strangers, was quite’ abolished: or, if any had so much goodness remaining as to be inclined to it; they durst not make any invitation of a stranger to their houses, for fear of drawing mischief upon themselves, from their debauched neighbours. Ver. 1G. And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at evening.] Before it was quite dark, which was also of Mount Ephraim, where this Levite dwelt, and he sojourned in Gibeah. Being but a sojourner himself, he had the more compassion dn a stranger. But the men of the place toere Benjamites.] This was one* of the cities given to the priests, Josh. xxi. 17. But the priests did not inhabit them alone, especially now when they were but few, and therefore let other persons, who were not priests, dwell there together with them.
Judges 19:17
And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a way-faring mail in the street of the city. Who looked as if he was at a loss for a lodging. And the old man said, Whither goest thon? and whence comest thou?] These were the usual questions made to travellers.
Judges 19:18
And he said unto him, We are passing from Betk-lehem- Judah towards tke side of Mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Betk-lehem-Judah. This is a full answer to one part of his question, giving him an account where he commonly lived; though his occasions car* rying him to Beth-lehem-Judah, he now immediately came from thence. But I am noio going to tke kouse of the io?*d.],This is an answer to the other part of his question: for Shiloh, where the house of God was settled, was in the tribe of Ephraim; (Josh, xviii. 1.) and thither, like a good man, he intended first to go, and give thanks to God, for restoring his wife to him; and, perhaps, to offer an expiation for her sin; and then to return to his own home, on the side of Mount Ephraim. And there is no man that recewetk me to house.] Whereby he was in danger to lie in the street all night.
Judges 19:19
Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and tkere is bread and wine for me, and for thy handmaid, and for tke young man which is with thy servant. He uses very civil and humble language, and also signifies he did not desire to be chargeable to any body; being so well provided with all things necessary, that he need not be a burden to him that would entertain him. There is no want of any thing.] But only of a lodging.
Judges 19:20
And tke old man said, Peace be witk thee. He
Judges 19:21
So he brought him into his house, and gave provender for their asses.) Took care both of them and of their beasts, at his own costs, as the words seem to import. And he washed their feet.) As the custom was in those countries after travelling…. And did eat and drink.] Sat down to supper.
Judges 19:22
And, as they were making their hearts merry. Eating and drinking very freely…, Behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial.] See Deut. xiii. 13; Beset the house round about.] That none might go out; and beat at the door; as if they would force their entrance: which made the master of the house come to ask them what they would have. And they spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring hither the man that came into thy house, that tve may know him.] These last words are capable of a good meaning, as if they designed only to examine him, and know who he was, and whence he came, &c. but the old man being acquainted with their wicked manners, understood their lewd intentions, and accordingly gave them the following answer. (See Gen. xix. 5.)
Judges 19:23
And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing this man is come into my house, do not this folly.] He endeavours to divert them from their purpose with kind words and humble entreaties; urging withal, the title the man had to his protection by the laws of hospitality, and the greatness of the sin they were about to commit.
Judges 19:24
Behold, here is my daughter, a maiden, and his concubine, them will I bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them as seems good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing.] His earnest desire to preserve the laws of hospitality from violation (which was a thing very sacred in those days), made him forget the care he ought to have had to preserve his daughter’s purity. He hoped also, perhaps, that they were not grown yet so wicked as to offer this injury to a neighbour, though they regarded not what they did to strangers, whiich made him offer them the man’s concubine also, supposing it belter than to let them do violence to her husband. He must be considered as in a confusion of thoughts, (like Lot, see Gen. xix. 8.) and so not to have minded so much what was right, as what was least wrong.
Judges 19:25
J$ut the men would not hearken to him. And the Levite also, I suppose, absolutely refused to have the old man’s daughter or his concubine exposed to their lust: whence arose a quarrel, insomuch that they threatened and designed to kill him, (as he himself tells the story, xx. 5.) which, it is likely, moved the old man to persuade him not to be so obstinate; but for the preservation of his life, which was in. great danger, to yield a little to them: and persuading the men of the city not to be so furious, they came at last to compound the matter; and finding the’Levite so resolutely bent to defend himself, were content only to have his con- V0L’ “’ Digitized by cubine (whose beauty they admired, as Josephus saith, when they saw her coine into their city), and to let him and the old man’s daughter alone. Unto this. they agreed, of two evils choosing the least. So the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them.] With her own consent, it is probable; for she thought her husband would lose his life, and she not preserve herself. And they knew, her, and abused her all night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.] Lest the light should discover who they were that had been so villanously wicked.
Judges 19:26
Then came the woman, at the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light. She fell down dead, virb XvnriQ ml ataxic ( as Josephus speaks), with grief at what she had suffered, and shame to look upon her husband; and, it may be added, with the excessive abuse of her body.
Judges 19:27
And her lord rose up in the morning. So the women in these old times called their husbands, out of reverence to them, as the head of the wife. (SeelPet.iii.5.) And opened the door of his house, and went out to go his ivay.J Imagining, perhaps, that they intended to keep ber> and he did not know where to find her, but must seek somewhere else by what means to recover her. And, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down. at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.] She being stretched out at length; as people are sometimes, when they fall down with weariness upon their faces into a profound sleep..
Judges 19:28
And he said, Up, and let us be going. Supposing her to be only in a deep sleep, he began to rouse her up, and to speak comfortably to her (as Josephus takes it), knowing she was under a force, and did not willingly submit to their filthiness..:.. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him into his place.] When he saw she was dead he made no outcry; but (as Josephus observes) prudently carried her away, as fast as he could, to his own home.
Judges 19:29
, And when he tvas come to his house, he took a knife, and laid hold upon his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones. In the Hebrew the words are, according to her bones; that is, some of the pieces.were bigger, some lesser, according as the joints would suffer her body to be divided. Into twelve pieces.’] That every tribe might have a limb of her, Benjamin not excepted. Among whom it was to be hoped there were some who would resent so foul a fact, though committed by their own brethren. And sent her into all the coasts of Israel] Giving the messengers a charge (as Josephus observes) to relate how she had been abused, which was the cause of her death. He knew not what other course to take to have justice done; for, as Josephus there observes, (lib. v. Antiq. cap.; 2.) there was no settled court of judicature established according to the law. Which is the reason he gives (chapter the fifth of that book) why Eglon attempted to subdue the Israelites, because they were all in disorder, the laws being not put in executioh.
Judges 19:30
And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen, from the day that the chiU Microsoft® 2E 20G [chap. XX. dren of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt.’] They not only condemned the fact, bat were highly incensed at it, as a crime beyond all that had been heard of since they were a people: for it was a mixture of adultery and murder, with an attempt of sodomy, and that upon a Lcvite; a person consecrated to the Divine service, in some lower ministries. Consider of it, take advice, and speak your mind.’] These are cither the words of the messenger, or rather of the people themselves, who exhorted one. another not to pass over this deed, only with expressing their abhorrence of it; but to consider, and consult one with another what was to be done, and to declare their opinion freely, how so heinous a crime was to be punished. And accordingly we find, in the beginning of the next chapter, that, by common consent, the whole body of the people met together to advise about this matter.
And they set up Micatts graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh:. . Which was all the time of the judges mentioned in this book; who, though zealous reformers, could not, it seems, extend their authority to the very skirts of the country, where idolatry still lurked in this corner of the land: for scarce any one of the judges ruled over the whole country of Israel; but only over such tribes as they delivered from imminent danger. This appears by the armies which Barak and Gideon raised; and in the double oppression they lay under, at the same time, in the west and in the east, by the Philistines and the Ammonites; when Jephthah was raised up against the latter, and Samson against the former: no wonder therefore that none of them could make a general reformation, nor abolish the idolatry in this place: but God used the Philistines as instruments to put an end to it; for when they destroyed Shiloh, where the true house of God was, they destroyed this house of gods, (as they esteemed it, see xvii. 5.) being a resemblance of it: and perhaps, as they brought the ark into the field against the Philistines, so the Danites brought these images, with the ephod and teraphim, and the priest, who w r as slain with Hophni and Phinehas; or, as Huetius thinks, carried captive into the land of the Philistines, with a great many other Israelites. But this place remained still so famous for the resort of people thither to worship, that when Jeroboam set up his golden calves, he erected one of them here in Dan, as another in Beth-el: where, there having been a real appearance of God, in ancient time, to Jacob, the people were easily made to believe there had been the like in Dan, in the time here mentioned. CHAP. XIX;