In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth When The Judges Ruled Israel

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  A Levite living in Ephraim takes for himself a concubine from Bethlehem Judah v. 1b  She was not faithful…she played the harlot and returns to her father’s house v. 2  After 4 months, the Levite plans to get her back by speaking tenderly to her v. 3a

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  At his father-in-law’s house vv. 3b-9  The Levite came prepared to take her home  The concubine’s father detained him for feasting for at least 4 days & nights  On the 5th day, the Levite was asked to stay the night…he refused and left at evening

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The Levite & his traveling party came to a place opposite Jebus (Jerusalem)  His servant suggested they stay the night  The Levite was not willing to stay with “foreigners” 1:21

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  He wanted to go as far as Gibeah or Ramah (in Benjaminite territory)  Arriving in Gibeah after sunset, no one takes them into their home…they are forced to set up their lodging in the open city square

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  An old man from Ephraim came in from his labors in the field  He sees the Levite, concubine, & servant and inquires about their identity  He asks them to lodge with him

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The Levite replied they were fine in the “camp” they had made in the square  The old man implored them to come with him  Obviously, the old man knew what could happen to them unprotected in the open

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  Later, “worthless men” from Gibeah surround the house and demand the old man give up the Levite to them for purposes of sodomy  This had to have been his earlier worry  A familiar scene to Gen 19:1-11 (Lot)

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The old man goes outside to plead with them not to engage in such “folly”  As an alternative, he offers the men his own virgin daughter & the Levite’s concubine… they could “ravish” them as they pleased

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  Another indication of Israel’s decline  The man was so opposed to homosexual rape that heterosexual rape wasn’t as bad  He was willing to sacrifice his own daughter  Such a devaluation of human life!!

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The Gibean sodomites didn’t like the old man’s alternative  As a result, the Levite’s concubine was given over to these men…they raped & abused her all night long until the early morning

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The text is unclear re: “the man” of v. 25  If the Levite, he was guilty of saving himself at the concubine’s expense  If the old man, he didn’t care for the woman either & the Levite was guilty of cowardice

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The concubine makes it back to the old man’s house…she falls dead at the threshold at daybreak  The Levite tells her to get up…not answering, he puts on a donkey & takes her home

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Staying in Benjamin vv  The Levite had as little respect (compassion) for the concubine in her death as he had when she was alive  Any modern-day similarities to our own culture and society?

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Back in Ephraim vv  The Levite dismembers his concubine and sends the 12 pieces all throughout Israel  Israel reacted… “Nothing like this has ever happened…since the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt”

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  The Levite & His Concubine 19:1-30  Back in Ephraim vv  There’s no indication Israel knew about how the concubine had been treated…did the Levite attach a note to the body parts sent?  It seems more likely sending the body parts was a way to call Israel to action 1 Sam 11:7

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  All Israel gathered at Mizpah to find out what had happened vv. 1-3  Tribal chiefs…400,000 foot soldiers  The Levite describes his episode in Gibeah at the old man’s house vv. 4-6  The Levite sought Israel’s advice v. 7

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The Levite’s “version of the story” v. 5  His portrayal doesn’t make him look bad at all  The Gibeanites never stated they planned to kill him…yet, that could have happened  He implied his concubine was “taken”…she was actually “given” (sacrificed)

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  Israel’s decision re: Benjamin vv  The author is careful to emphasize Israel’s unity at this moment vv. 1, 8, 11  They decide to punish Gibeah  Plans were drawn up re: provisions and preparations for war

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  Israel’s decision re: Benjamin vv  They demanded the Gibean sodomites be handed over for execution vv a  Benjamin refused…instead, they decided to defend them and go to war vv. 13b-14  Benjamin had 26,000…Israel had 400,000

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  Israel’s decision re: Benjamin vv  Of Benjamin’s 26,000 was 700 left-handed “experts” with a sling v. 16  If this story occurred early in the time period, it could be possible Ehud (Israel’s 2nd judge) was among these 700 “experts” 3:15

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 1 vv  Israel inquired who should lead…it was Judah  Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelites  Israel retreated, mourned their losses…asked God if they should continue…answer of “YES”

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 2 vv  Israel again suffered defeat…this time, Benjamin killed 18,000 Israelites  Again, Israel retreated, mourned their losses

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 2 vv  This time, Israel gave sacrifices & offerings  Phineas (high priest) used the ark to inquire of God re: whether to continue the battle  God said “Yes”…this time, they would win Another reason for a possible earlier date re: this story He began serving before Joshua’s death Josh 22

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv  Israel used different tactics this time  They put 10,000 in hiding for an ambush  They met Benjamin as before…30 were killed  They feigned retreat to drawn Benjamin out

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv  When Benjamin pursued in confidence, the 10,000 attacked the exposed city  Israel stopped fleeing and turned back… Benjamin was caught in a trap

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Civil War In Israel 20:1-48  The war vv [In 3 “stages”] Stage 3 vv  When Israel saw the rising smoke from Gibeah, that was the signal to turn on Benjamin  Benjamin lost their courage…25,000 were killed  600 managed to escape to the wilderness

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25  Before the civil war, Israel had sworn that no tribe should give its daughters to Benjamin for marriage v. 1  After the war, “reality set in”…Israel now recognized an entire tribe would be lost… Israel wept before the Lord vv. 2-4

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth The “Second Appendix” Judg  Saving The “Lost Tribe” 21:1-25  To show their remorse, Israel gathered together and began thinking of a way to provide for Benjamin’s existence while at the same time remaining true to their vow vv. 5-7

In The Days When The Judges Ruled Biblical Studies From Judges & Ruth …