Judges 19:1-30 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:1-15

The domestic affairs of this Levite would not have been related thus largely but to make way for the following story of the injuries done him, in which the whole nation interested themselves. Bishop Hall's first remark upon this story is, That there is no complain of a public ordered state but there is a Levite at one end of it, either as an agent or as a patient. In Micah's idolatry a Levite was active; in the wickedness of Gibeah a Levite was passive; no tribe shall sooner feel the want of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:16-21

Though there as not one of Gibeah, yet it proved there was one in Gibeah, that showed some civility to this distressed Levite, who was glad that any one took notice of him. It was strange that some of those wicked people, who, when it was dark, designed so ill to him and his concubine, did not, under pretence of kindness, invite them in, that they might have a fairer opportunity of perpetrating their villany; but either they had not wit enough to be so designing, or not wickedness enough to be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:22-30

Here is, I. The great wickedness of the men of Gibeah. One could not imagine that ever it should enter into the heart of men that had the use of human reason, of Israelites that had the benefit of divine revelation, to be so very wicked. ?Lord, what is man!? said David, ?what a mean creature is he!? ?Lord, what is man,? may we say upon the reading of this story, ?what a vile creature is he, when he is given up to his own heart's lusts!? The sinners are here called sons of Belial, that is,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:1

And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel ,.... The same is observed in Judges 17:6 and refers to the same times, the times before the judges, between them and the death of Joshua, during which time there was no supreme magistrate or ruler in Israel, which is meant; and this is observed, as before, to account for wickedness being committed with impunity, such as adultery, sodomy, murder, &c.; afterwards related: that there was a certain Levite sojourning on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:2

And his concubine played the whore against him ,.... Was unfaithful to him and his bed, and broke the covenant and agreement between them; or "with him" F9 עליו "apud eum", Pagninus, Piscator; "cum eo", Junius & Tremellius. , while she was with him in the house; or "before him" F11 "Conspectu ejus", Vatablus; "coram eo", Drusius. , of which he had knowledge and proof; though some think this is not to be understood of whoredom or adultery, but of her ill usage of him, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:3

And her husband arose ,.... From the place where he lived: and went after her ; to Bethlehemjudah, where her father lived: to speak comfortably to her "or to her heart" F12 על לבה "ad cor", Pagninus. ; having heard perhaps that she repented of her sin, or if it was only upon a quarrel between them, his anger might cool and subside, and therefore sought for a reconciliation; and which was the more commendable in him, as he did not put her away, but she departed from him: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:4

And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him ,.... Prevailed upon him to stay some time with him: and he abode with him three days ; it seems as if he agreed to stay with him so long, and that time he stayed contentedly: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there ; the Levite and his servant were very handsomely entertained, and had everything provided for them convenient for meat, drink, and lodging. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:5

And it came to pass on the fourth day ,.... The time the Levite had agreed to stay being up: when they arose early in the morning the Levite, his concubine and servant, in order to set out on their journey: that he arose to depart; the Levite rose up from his seat to take his leave of his father-in-law, and depart from his house, and proceed on his way homeward; for rising out of his bed is before expressed: and the damsel's father said to his son in law, comfort thy heart with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:6

And they sat down ,.... Not only sat down upon their seats again, the Levite having rose up in order to go away, but sat down at table: and did eat and drink both of them together ; both the Levite and his father-in-law; and it appears by this, and what follows, that the Levite did not take only a short repast, or breakfast with him, but stayed and dined with him, when they ate a plentiful meal, and drank freely after dinner: for the damsel's father had said to the man, be content, I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:7

And when the man rose up to depart ,.... Rose up from table, having ate and drank sufficiently, in order to depart the house, and proceed on his journey: his father in law urged him ; with much entreaty, and earnest solicitations, that he would stay all night with him: therefore he lodged there again ; another night, being prevailed upon through his father's importunity. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:1-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:16-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 19:22-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 19:7

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