JUDGES 19-21

These gory stories prepare us to have a negative view of King Saul, who (in I Samuel 9-11) (a) was of the tribe of Benjamin, (b) from Gibeah which was the scene of this chapter, (c) was a man of valor, a term used of the Benjamites in Judges 20 who were killed, (d) of the smallest tribe, because of events in Judges 20, and (e) similarly cuts up oxen and sends them to all tribes commanding they join him in battle at Mizpah where they had earlier met to exterminate the Benjamites.

Chapters 18 and 19-20 both involve a Levite who in one case lives in Bethlehem but travels to Ephraim and in the other case lives in the territory of Ephraim but travels to Bethlehem.

1. “In those days” (19:1a)

    2. The rape of the Levite's concubine (19:1b-30)

        3. Assembly at Mizpah (20:1-17)

            4. War against the Benjamites (20:18-48)

                a. Inquiring of the LORD (20:18)

                    b. First battle (20:19-21)

                a'. Inquiring of the LORD (20:23)

                    b'. Second battle (20:22,24-25)

                a''.Inquiring of the LORD (20:26-28)

                    b''.Third battle (20:29-48)

        3'. Oath taken at Mizpah Assembly (21:1-9)

    2'. The rape of Jabesh-gilead and Shiloh women (21:10-24)

1'. “In those days” (21:25)

Judges 19:1-3

19:1 This is similar to ch. 18: Same intro, another Levite story, and the woman is not a full legal wife.

19:2 The Masoretic Text adds “because she played the harlot against him,” in an attempt to shift any 

blame away from the Levite.

19:3 As to why he is referred to as “her husband,” The New Bible Dictionary explains that a concubine 

was “a secondary wife acquired by purchase or as a war captive.” They were distinguished from 

regular wives (Judges 8:31) and were more easily divorced. See Genesis 21:10-11.

19:4-9 Why is the girl's father delaying their departure? He probably treats him as a real son-in-

law and wants him to treat his daughter well. This excessive hospitality is a set up for the inhospitality 

the Levite will find in Gibeah, and for the callousness with which the Levite treats the concubine..

19:11-12 Judges 1:21 explained that the Jebusites were not driven out of Jerusalem by the 

Jews, as commanded. The irony is that they try to avoid a Canaanite town in favor of an Israelite one, 

where they are attacked.

Judges19:22-24 This is very Sodom and Gomorrah-esque. It is practically a replay of Genesis 19.

Judges 19:25-30

19:25 He treats her more like a slave, just throwing her to the wolves. And this is despite the fact that

concubines were protected under the Mosaic Law. See Exodus 21:7-11 and Deuteronomy 21:10-14.

19:27-28a The Levite has been able to sleep through the night and roughly tells her to pull herself 

together so they can go.

19:28b-30 A Levite's job was to cut up the sacrificed animals so he would have had plenty of practice at this job.

Judges 20

20:5 Note how the Levite shades the truth to protect himself.

20:13 The Benjamites chose to defend the guilty parties rather than submit to the judgment of the united tribes. Tribal solidarity vs. what is correct (The Civil War in America).

20:18 They probably used the Urim and Thummin to decide the tribe.

20:22 This time the whole of Israel joins battle against the Benjamites.

20:26-28 It is interesting the anguish they show from fighting against other Israelites. This was obviously seen as something out of the ordinary. Before the first battle, the Israelites inquire of God; before the second battle they weep and inquire of God; before the third battle they weep and fast and offer sacrifices and inquire of God.

20:47 More of the Benjamites are killed than all of the Canaanites killed in the Book of Joshua. Only 600 remain. Sometimes we get the maddest with those closest to us because we think they should agree with us completely.

20:48 This is an example of herem, or total warfare and dedication to the LORD.

Judges 21

21:8-11 Next the Israelites destroy the men of Jabesh-gilead since they had not joined the battle. This is the city that Jephthah had earlier saved from the Ammonites. Pointedly, the Israelites did not inquire of the LORD concerning the city and therefore the Israelite's actions are not at his command. Notice that these events were the result of the people's rash vow not to give their daughters in marriage (similar to the Jephthah story).

21:12 400 women for the 600 Benjamites who were still alive is not quite enough.

21:19-22 This chapter is almost comical. The consent of the woman was apparently not a concern, and not only that, but they use a festival for the LORD as an occasion to rape young women, and tell their fathers that it is a generous act and a clever way to get around the vow they all took. Again, keeping a vow is felt to be more important than the welfare of the women. Chapters 19 begins with the abuse of one woman and ends with the abuse of many women.

21:25 This double conclusion points forward to I Samuel where the last judge, Samuel, will anoint Saul the first king.