What does Judges 19:4 mean?
"And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there." - Judges 19:4
In Judges 19:4, the King James Version reads, "And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there."
The book of Judges is a part of the Old Testament and follows the book of Joshua. It tells the stories of the Israelites during the time between the leadership of Joshua and the first king, Saul. This period is marked by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The verse in question occurs in a particularly dark and troubling part of the book, the story of the Levite and his concubine.
In this particular verse, the Levite and his concubine were traveling to the city of Gibeah when they stopped to spend the night at the house of the concubine's father. The text indicates that they stayed with him for three days, eating, drinking, and lodging there. On the surface, this verse seems unremarkable, but within the context of the larger story, it becomes deeply troubling.
The themes of hospitality and betrayal are central to this verse. In ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality was highly valued, and guests were to be treated with honor and respect. In this case, the Levite and his concubine were welcomed into the home of the concubine's father, where they ate, drank, and stayed for three days. However, this hospitality was ultimately betrayed, as we see in the following verses. The men of the city of Gibeah come to the house, demanding to have sex with the Levite. In an effort to protect himself, the Levite offers his concubine to the men, who then rape and abuse her throughout the night, ultimately leading to her death.
The three days that the Levite and his concubine spend at the father's house are symbolic of the rest and peace that they experienced before the horrific events that followed. This serves as a stark contrast to the violence and depravity that they would soon encounter, highlighting the sudden and brutal nature of their experiences.
Furthermore, the three days spent in the house also foreshadow the three days that the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb before his resurrection. While the Levite and his concubine experienced despair and death, Jesus' resurrection brings hope and new life. This connection draws attention to the importance of recognizing the difference between the evil and sin present in the world and the hope and redemption offered through Christ’s sacrifice.
The verse also serves as a reminder of the importance of discerning the intentions of those who offer hospitality. While the initial hospitality shown to the Levite and his concubine seemed genuine, it was ultimately revealed to be a facade, leading to their tragic circumstances. This demonstrates the need for discernment in all aspects of life, as well as the potential consequences of misplaced trust.
Overall, Judges 19:4 is a deeply troubling and complex verse within the larger narrative of the book of Judges. It touches on themes of hospitality, betrayal, and the sudden and violent nature of the world. It also serves as a stark contrast to the hope and redemption offered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and the potential consequences of misplaced trust in a fallen world.
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Judges 19:4 - "And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there."
"And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there." - Judges 19:4
Judges 4:19 - "And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him."
Acts 4:19 - "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye."
Judges 4:4
Judges 4:4 - "¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time."
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 19:19 - "Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing."
2 Chronicles 19:6 - "And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."
Judges 4:4 - "¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time."
2 Chronicles 19:5 - "¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,"
Judges 5:19 - "The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money."
"¶ And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." - Judges 4:4
James 2:4 - "Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"
Judges 19:14 - "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."
Judges 19:7 - "And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again."
Judges 19:26 - "Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light."
Judges 4:15 – "The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword."
Deuteronomy 19:18 - "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;"
Judges 19:21 - "So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink."
Judges 4:12 - "And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor."
Judges 1:19 - "And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron."
Judges 19:20 - "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
Luke 11:19 - "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."
Deuteronomy 19:17 - "Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;"
Judges 19:12 - "And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah."
Judges 11:4 - "¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel."
Judges 4:23 - "So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel."
Judges 4:1 - "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead."
Judges 19:13 - "And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah."