Judges 19

A Levite and His Concubine

1 And it came to pass in those days, a when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite staying in the remote mountains of Ephraim. He took for himself a concubine from b Bethlehem in Judah. 2 But his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there four whole months. 3 Then her husband arose and went after her, to c speak 1 kindly to her and bring her back, having his servant and a couple of donkeys with him. So she brought him into her father's house; and when the father of the young woman saw him, he was glad to meet him. 4 Now his father-in-law, the young woman's father, detained him; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there. 5 Then it came to pass on the fourth day that they arose early in the morning, and he stood to depart; but the young woman's father said to his son-in-law, d "Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way." 6 So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman's father said to the man, "Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry." 7 And when the man stood to depart, his father-in-law urged him; so he lodged there again. 8 Then he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart, but the young woman's father said, "Please refresh your heart." So they delayed until afternoon; and both of them ate. 9 And when the man stood to depart - he and his concubine and his servant - his father-in-law, the young woman's father, said to him, "Look, the day is now drawing toward evening; please spend the night. See, the day is coming to an end; lodge here, that your heart may be merry. Tomorrow go your way early, so that you may get 2 home."

10 However, the man was not willing to spend that night; so he rose and departed, and came to opposite e Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). With him were the two saddled donkeys; his concubine was also with him. 11 They were near Jebus, and the day was far spent; and the servant said to his master, "Come, please, and let us turn aside into this city f of the Jebusites and lodge in it." 12 But his master said to him, "We will not turn aside here into a city of foreigners, who are not of the children of Israel; we will go on g to Gibeah." 13 So he said to his servant, "Come, let us draw near to one of these places, and spend the night in Gibeah or in h Ramah." 14 And they passed by and went their way; and the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. 15 They turned aside there to go in to lodge in Gibeah. And when he went in, he sat down in the open square of the city, for no one would i take them into his house to spend the night.

16 Just then an old man came in from j his work in the field at evening, who also was from the mountains of Ephraim; he was staying in Gibeah, whereas the men of the place were Benjamites. 17 And when he raised his eyes, he saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, "Where are you going, and where do you come from?" 18 So he said to him, "We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah toward the remote mountains of Ephraim; I am from there. I went to Bethlehem in Judah; now I am going to k the house of the LORD. But there is no one who will take me into his house, 19 "although we have both straw and fodder for our donkeys, and bread and wine for myself, for your female servant, and for the young man who is with your servant; there is no lack of anything." 20 And the old man said, l "Peace be with you! However, let all your needs be my responsibility; m only do not spend the night in the open square." 21 n So he brought him into his house, and gave fodder to the donkeys. o And they washed their feet, and ate and drank.

Gibeah's Crime

22 As they were p enjoying themselves, suddenly q certain men of the city, r perverted 3 men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, s "Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!" 23 But t the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! Seeing this man has come into my house, u do not commit this outrage. 24 v "Look, here is my virgin daughter and 4 the man's concubine; let me bring them out now. w Humble them, and do with them as you please; but to this man do not do such a vile thing!" 25 But the men would not heed him. So the man took his concubine and brought her out to them. And they x knew her and abused her all night until morning; and when the day began to break, they let her go. 26 Then the woman came as the day was dawning, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, till it was light.

27 When her master arose in the morning, and opened the doors of the house and went out to go his way, there was his concubine, fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 And he said to her, "Get up and let us be going." But y there was no answer. So the man lifted her onto the donkey; and the man got up and went to his place. 29 When he entered his house he took a knife, laid hold of his concubine, and z divided her into twelve pieces, 5 limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 And so it was that all who saw it said, "No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, a confer, and speak up!"

  1. Cross References
    Judges 17:6
    In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
    Judges 18:1
    In those days there was no king in Israel. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for itself to dwell in; for until that day their inheritance among the tribes of Israel had not fallen to them.
    Judges 21:25
    In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
  2. Cross References
    Judges 17:7
    Now there was a young man from Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah; he was a Levite, and was staying there.
    Ruth 1:1
    Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 34:3
    His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman.
    Genesis 50:21
    Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 18:5
    "And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant." They said, "Do as you have said."
    Judges 19:8
    Then he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart, but the young woman's father said, "Please refresh your heart." So they delayed until afternoon; and both of them ate.
    Psalms 104:15
    And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.
  5. Cross References
    Joshua 18:28
    Zelah, Eleph, Jebus (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kirjath: fourteen cities with their villages. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
    1 Chronicles 11:4
    And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
    1 Chronicles 11:5
    But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You shall not come in here!" Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
  6. Cross References
    Joshua 15:8
    And the border went up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom to the southern slope of the Jebusite city (which is Jerusalem). The border went up to the top of the mountain that lies before the Valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the Valley of Rephaim northward.
    Joshua 15:63
    As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
    Judges 1:21
    But the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.
    2 Samuel 5:6
    And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here.
  7. Cross References
    Joshua 18:28
    Zelah, Eleph, Jebus (which is Jerusalem), Gibeath, and Kirjath: fourteen cities with their villages. This was the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
  8. Cross References
    Joshua 18:25
    Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 25:43
    'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 104:23
    Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.
  11. Cross References
    Joshua 18:1
    Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.
    Judges 18:31
    So they set up for themselves Micah's carved image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
    Judges 20:18
    Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, "Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?" The LORD said, "Judah first!
    1 Samuel 1:3
    This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
    1 Samuel 1:7
    So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 43:23
    But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
    Judges 6:23
    Then the LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.
    1 Samuel 25:6
    And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: 'Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!
  13. Cross References
    Genesis 19:2
    And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square.
  14. Cross References
    Genesis 24:32
    Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
    Genesis 43:24
    So the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 18:4
    Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
    John 13:5
    After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
  16. Cross References
    Judges 16:25
    So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, "Call for Samson, that he may perform for us." So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars.
    Judges 19:6
    So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman's father said to the man, "Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.
    Judges 19:9
    And when the man stood to depart - he and his concubine and his servant - his father-in-law, the young woman's father, said to him, "Look, the day is now drawing toward evening; please spend the night. See, the day is coming to an end; lodge here, that your heart may be merry. Tomorrow go your way early, so that you may get home.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 19:4
    Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
    Genesis 19:5
    And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.
    Judges 20:5
    And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house at night because of me. They intended to kill me, but instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
    Hosea 9:9
    They are deeply corrupted, As in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins.
    Hosea 10:9
    O Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah; There they stood. The battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity Did not overtake them.
  18. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 13:13
    Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods" ' - which you have not known -
    1 Samuel 2:12
    Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.
    1 Kings 21:10
    And seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, "You have blasphemed God and the king." Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.
    2 Corinthians 6:15
    And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
  19. Cross References
    Genesis 19:5
    And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.
    Romans 1:26
    For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
    Romans 1:27
    Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
  20. Cross References
    Genesis 19:6
    So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him.
    Genesis 19:7
    And said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!
  21. Cross References
    Genesis 34:7
    And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing which ought not to be done.
    Deuteronomy 22:21
    Then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done a disgraceful thing in Israel, to play the harlot in her father's house. So you shall put away the evil from among you.
    Judges 20:6
    So I took hold of my concubine, cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of the inheritance of Israel, because they committed lewdness and outrage in Israel.
    Judges 20:10
    "We will take ten men out of every hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, a hundred out of every thousand, and a thousand out of every ten thousand, to make provisions for the people, that when they come to Gibeah in Benjamin, they may repay all the vileness that they have done in Israel."
    2 Samuel 13:12
    But she answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!
  22. Cross References
    Genesis 19:8
    "See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof."
  23. Cross References
    Genesis 34:2
    And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her.
    Deuteronomy 21:14
    And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall set her free, but you certainly shall not sell her for money; you shall not treat her brutally, because you have humbled her.
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 4:1
    Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD.
  25. Cross References
    Judges 20:5
    And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house at night because of me. They intended to kill me, but instead they ravished my concubine so that she died.
  26. Cross References
    Judges 20:6
    So I took hold of my concubine, cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of the inheritance of Israel, because they committed lewdness and outrage in Israel.
    1 Samuel 11:7
    So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen." And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
  27. Cross References
    Judges 20:7
    "Look! All of you are children of Israel; give your advice and counsel here and now!"
    Proverbs 13:10
    By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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