Judg. 19 A Levite’s concubine runs from him to her father’s house at Beth-lehem; he goeth to fetch her back; is kindly entertained by her father; he departs, and comes to Gibeah of Benjamin, and his concubine with him, Judg. 19:1–14. An old man of Mount Ephraim entertains them, Judg. 19:15–21.

In those days; of which See Poole “Judg. 17:1”. On the side, Heb. in the sides, i.e. in one of the sides, as Judg. 19:18. A concubine, Heb. a wife a concubine, i.e. such a concubine as was also his wife, as appears from Judg. 19:3–5, Judg. 19:7, Judg. 19:9, Judg. 19:26–27, Judg. 20:4.

Against him, i.e. against her faith given to him, or to his wrong; or, with him, i.e. in his house; or whilst she lived with him, which is opposed to her going away, which here follows.

To speak friendly unto her, or, to speak to her heart, i.e. kindly and comfortably, as that phrase is taken, Gen. 1:21, Hos. 2:14, to offer, her pardon and reconciliation, and restitution to her former state. To bring her again, to wit, to his own house.

The day groweth to an end, Heb. it is the encamping time of the day, i.e. the evening, when armies having marched in the day, begin to pitch their camp; or, when the sun that makes the day begins to encamp himself and go toward rest; so it is a poetical expression taken from hence, that the sun,…

Of a stranger, i.e. of a strange nation, which the Canaanites possess; for though the city Jerusalem had been taken by Caleb, Judg. 1:0, yet the strong fort of Zion was still in their hands, 2 Sam.

Both which places lay in Benjamin’s portion, a little northward from Jerusalem, and in the road from Bethlehem-judah to Gibeah.

This is added to difference it from another Gibeah in Judah, Josh. 15:57. Possibly this is that which was called Gibeah of Saul, 1 Sam. 11:4.

Though they were soft and effeminate in other respects, yet they were hard-hearted towards strangers or indigent persons. Either there were no public houses to receive and entertain travellers, as may be gathered from Genesis 28:0; Genesis 42:0; Genesis 45:0; Josh. 9:0 &c.

Of Mount Ephraim; whence also the Levite was, which obliged and inclined him to show the more kindness to his countryman. The men of the place were Benjamites: this was indeed one of thee cities belonging to the priests, Josh. 21:0; 1 Chron.

The house of the Lord was in Shiloh, Josh. 18:1, Josh. 22:12 Thither he went, either because he lived there, for that in the tribe of Ephraim; or rather, because he would there offer prayers, and praises, and sacrifices unto God, for his mercy in reconciling him and his wife together, and for his…

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 these hot countries, Gen. 18:4, Gen. 19:2, Gen. 24:32;c.

Making their hearts merry, i.e. refreshing themselves with the provisions set before them. Certain sons of Belial; wicked and licentious men: see Deut. 13:13.

This man is come into mine house, and therefore I am obliged to protect him by the laws of hospitality. Compare Gen. 19:17, Gen. 19:8.

He offers this to avoid a greater and more unnatural sin, which he thought they designed; but it seems they did not, their abuse being confined to the woman, and not extended to the man, who also was in their power, if they had lusted after him.

The man took his concubine; being willing to expose her rather than the daughter of his host, who had expressed such a singular care and affection for him.

Fell down, to wit, dead, as the following words show, and as that word is oft used, as Ex. 19:21, Ps. 82:7, Ps. 91:7, Hos. 5:5; killed, partly with grief of heart, and partly with excessive abuse of her body, of which there have been divers instances. Thus the sin she formerly chose, Judg.

The posture either of one that had fallen down, or of one that was laid down to sleep, her hands or arms (for the Hebrew word signifies both) leaning upon the threshold and being put under her head; and therefore he thought to awake her, and raise her up.

None answered; for she was dead, as is said, Judg. 20:5.

Together with her bones, or, according to her bones, according to the joints of her body, for there he made a division. This might seem to be a barbarous and inhuman act in itself; but may seem excusable, if it be considered that the sadness of the spectacle did highly contribute to stir up the…

No such deed; so wicked and abominable. Consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds; let us meet together, and seriously consider, and every one freely speak what is to be done in this case.