_A.M. 2598. B.C. 1406._ The adultery of the Levite's concubine, Judges 19:1; Judges 19:2. His reconciliation to her, and entertainment at her father's, Judges 19:3. His journey homeward as far as Gibeah, Judges 19:10. An Ephraimite takes him in, Judges 19:16. The men of Gibeah assault the house, Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 o... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 hus... [ Continue Reading ]
_The city of a stranger_ That is, of a strange nation; a city which the Canaanites possess. For though Jerusalem had been taken by Caleb, (chap. 1.,) yet the strong fort of Zion was still in their hands, whence it is likely they did much molest, and afterward, by God's permission, drive out the Isra... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sat down in the street of the city_ There being no public inns in that country in those days, this was the general custom. Travellers sat down in the streets till some person invited them into his house. And this was generally readily done by one or other, except in places where there was a grea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also of mount Ephraim_ Whence likewise the Levite was, which inclined him to show the more kindness to his countryman. _But the men of the place were Benjamites_ This was indeed one of the cities belonging to the priests; but the cities which were given to the priests, and whereof they were owners,... [ Continue Reading ]
_House of the Lord_ Which was in Shiloh. Thither he went, either because he lived there for that was in the tribe of Ephraim; or, rather, because he would there offer prayers and praises, and sacrifices to God, for his mercy in reconciling him and his wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet there is both straw_, &c. The Levite here acquaints the man that he had with him all things necessary both for himself and his concubine, his servant and his asses; so that he should not burden any man who should receive him, as he only wanted some place to lodge in. _For thy handmaid_ Or, as w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let all thy wants lie upon me_ It matters not whether thou wantest nothing or every thing; I will take care to supply all thy wants. _They washed their feet_ As they used to do to travellers in those hot countries.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As they were making their hearts merry_ That is, refreshing themselves with the provisions set before them. _Behold, certain sons of Belial_ Children of the devil, wicked and licentious men. _Bring forth the man_, &c. They wanted the Levite brought forth, that they might satisfy their unnatural lus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, here is my daughter_, &c. The master of the house came at last to a resolution that it was less wickedness to prostitute the women to their lusts than the Levite. The dilemma to which he was reduced was indeed dreadful, nevertheless he is not to be justified in the proposal which he makes,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then came the woman, and fell down_, &c. Namely, dead; killed partly with grief of heart, and partly with excessive abuse. Thus the sin she formerly chose, (Judges 19:2,) is now her destruction; and though her husband pardoned her, God would punish her, at least as to this life.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Went out to go his way_ Concluding, without doubt, that the Gibeathites had conveyed away his concubine, and would keep her, and therefore he hasted home to take proper measures for the recovery of her; as we find he did afterward to revenge her death. _He said unto her, Up_, _and let us be going_... [ Continue Reading ]
_He took a knife_, &c. As the Levite expected no justice from the elders of Gibeah, and there was no supreme head over all the tribes at that time, he had recourse to the elders of each respective tribe; and to move them the more, and stir them up to punish the offender, he sent a part of the body t... [ Continue Reading ]
_All said, There was no such deed done or seen_, &c. All who saw it, and heard the relation, were so moved with horror at it that they called upon each other to consult and give their opinion in what manner justice should be done upon the lewd and inhuman Gibeathites; as follows in the next chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]