Judges 19:2-3. Played the whore against him Against her faith given to him. Went away Either for fear of punishment, or because her heart was alienated from him; wherein not only she sinned, but her father, by connivance at her sin, and neglect of just endeavours for her reconciliation to her husband. Her husband went to speak friendly unto her To offer her pardon and reconciliation. read more
The war with Benjamin (19:1-21:25)A Levite whose concubine had run away from him came to Judah looking for her. When they were reunited, her father was so pleased he did not want them to leave. They therefore stayed with him a few days, then set out to return to the Levite’s home in Ephraim (19:1-9).The route back to Ephraim took the couple through the tribal territory of Benjamin. Looking for somewhere to sleep the night, they preferred not to stay in Jerusalem, which was inhabited by... read more
in those days. In the same days as Ch. Judges 18:1 . Soon after the death of Joshua. Figure of speech Hysterologia. App-6 . no king. See note on Judges 18:1 . a certain Levite. The house of God neglected. Priests and Levites unemployed and wandering about. Compare Judges 17:7 . mount = the hill country of. read more
four whole months. Hebrew "days, four months", so some think = "a year and four months". read more
friendly. Hebrew "to her heart" = affectionately. read more
EXAMPLE 2THE NEAR EXTERMINATION OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN (Judges 19-21)THE ATROCIOUS MURDER OF A LEVITE'S CONCUBINEIn these chapters, the near-total collapse of moral integrity in Israel occurred. Richard Halverson, as quoted by Campbell, stated that:"Here we have the sewer of Scripture ... the most disgusting story in the Bible, unredeemed by an admirable character or a noble act. To read these chapters is to be repelled by them; and one cannot help feeling rather dirty. It is almost as bad as... read more
THE LEVITE WELCOMED BY HIS CONCUBINE'S PARENTS"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. And it came to pass on the fourth day, that they arose up early in the morning and he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son-in-law, Strengthen thy heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward ye shall go your way. So they sat down, and did eat and drink; both of them together: and the... read more
CHAP. XIX. A Levite passes the night in Gibeah of Benjamin: the men of Gibeah abuse his concubine to death: the Levite divides her body into twelve parts, which he sends to the twelve tribes. Before Christ 1426. Judges 19:1. Took to him a concubine— Women of this sort differed little from the wife, except in some outward ceremonies and stipulations, but agreed with her in all the true essences of marriage, and gave themselves up to the husband, (for so he is called in the next chapter, Judges... read more
Judges 19:2. And his concubine played the whore against him— The Chaldee renders this, she despised him, &c. the LXX, she separated herself from him, with which Josephus agrees. It is probable, that this is the true reading; for one can hardly imagine, that otherwise her husband would have made such haste to follow, and obtain a reconciliation with her. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 19:1
Judges 19:1. Who took him a concubine Hebrew, a wife, a concubine, that is, such a concubine as was also his wife: called a concubine only because she was not endowed. Perhaps he had nothing to endow her with, being himself only a sojourner. “Women of this sort differed little from the wife, except in some outward ceremonies and stipulations, but agreed with her in all the true essentials of marriage, and gave themselves up to the husband, (for so he is called in the next chapter, Judges... read more