College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 19 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 19
The Levite in Bethlehem. The Levite from Ephraim had taken a concubine from Bethlehem-judah. When she was unfaithful to him, she returned to her father's house and stayed there for four months. The Levite went to Bethlehem-judah to ask her to return to him. The kind hospitality of the woman's father caused the Levite to linger longer than he had originally intended to stay.
The Levite lodged in Gibeah. The continued pleading of the woman's father prevented the Levite from leaving Bethlehem-judah until the day was so far spent that he could not reach his home before nightfall. When he came to Gibeah, he stopped and intended to spend the night in the street.
The death of the concubine. An old man coming from the field at the close of day saw the Levite in the streets and took him, his servant, and his concubine to his house. The wicked men of the city insisted that they be allowed to commit acts of sexual perversion with the Levite. Instead, the Levite gave his concubine to them, and they mistreated her all the night long until she was left dying at the door of the host's house.
Israel alerted of the sin in Gibeah. The Levite took the corpse of his concubine and dissected it into twelve pieces. He sent this evidence of the wicked deed done in Gibeah to all the tribes of Israel.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Hospitality is ageless. When Abraham was given a revelation of God's intentions of destroying Sodom, three men came to him as he sat in his tent (Genesis 18:1). Abraham was concerned for the comfort of these strange visitors, and he entertained them royally. The father-in-law of the Levite took the Levite into his house and kept him there for more than four days. He was still reluctant to see his guest leave. The old man coming from the field in Benjamin took the strangers from Ephraim into his house. Christians are enjoined not to forget to show love unto strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2). Gaius, the recipient of the third epistle of John, was commended because brethren and strangers were welcome in his house (3 John 1:5-8).
2.
The imagination of man's heart is evil continually. In the days before the flood it was said that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Sodom and Gomorrah became so wicked that God could no longer spare these twin cities. Not even ten righteous people were found there, for God said He would spare them for the sake of ten righteous people (Genesis 18:32 b). Once again in the days of the judges the darkness of men's hearts is revealed in the tragic death of the Levite's concubine.
3.
Love rejoiceth not in evil. There were some good people left in Israel. When they saw the evidence of the crime in Gibeah, they said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day. Consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds (Judges 19:30). The Apostle Paul said that love never rejoiceth in unrighteousness but rejoiceth with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 19
1.
Where was the home of the Levite?
2.
Where was the home of the concubine of the Levite?
3.
How long had the Levite stayed in the home of his father-in-law before he started to go home?
4.
On what day did he finally depart?
5.
Where did the servant of the Levite propose staying all night?
6.
Where did the Levite want to go before stopping for the night?
7.
Where did they finally stay all night?
8.
In what tribe was this city?
9.
Where did the Levite tell his host he was going?
10.
Into how many pieces was the concubine dissected?