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.

And he said {H559} unto his servant {H5288}, Come {H3212}, and let us draw near {H7126} to one {H259} of these places {H4725} to lodge all night {H3885}, in Gibeah {H1390}, or in Ramah {H7414}.

He said to his servant, "Let's go, and we'll get to one of those places; we'll stay in Giv'ah or Ramah."

He continued, β€œCome, let us try to reach one of these towns to spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.”

And he said unto his servant, Come and let us draw near to one of these places; and we will lodge in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

Commentary

Judges 19:13 captures a seemingly innocuous decision that tragically sets the stage for one of the most disturbing narratives in the book of Judges. A traveling Levite, with his concubine and servant, is seeking a place to rest for the night, having journeyed from Bethlehem.

Context

This verse is part of a dark and graphic account (Judges 19-21) that vividly illustrates the moral and spiritual decline of Israel during the period of the Judges. It follows the era of charismatic leaders like Samson and precedes the establishment of the monarchy. The book of Judges frequently highlights the moral decay of Israel during this period, where every man did that which was right in his own eyes, signifying a lack of central authority and widespread societal breakdown.

The Levite and his company are on their way back to Ephraim, his home territory. After a long day's journey, they need shelter. The choice between Gibeah and Ramah, both towns in the territory of Benjamin, appears practical. However, the subsequent events reveal Gibeah to be a place of extreme depravity, making this decision a fateful one.

Key Themes

  • Search for Lodging and Hospitality: The immediate need for shelter highlights the ancient Near Eastern custom and expectation of hospitality. The Levite's dilemma underscores the vulnerability of travelers and the critical role of a welcoming host. The tragic events that follow this verse reveal a profound failure of this societal and religious obligation in Gibeah.
  • Foreshadowing of Darkness: This verse, with its simple proposal to lodge in one of two cities, is the calm before a horrific storm. The choice of Gibeah, though seemingly arbitrary, tragically leads to an appalling act of violence and depravity, triggering a civil war that almost annihilated the tribe of Benjamin. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential for evil lurking beneath the surface of society.
  • Geographic Significance: Both Gibeah and Ramah were Benjaminite cities. Gibeah was particularly significant, later becoming notably associated with King Saul, Israel's first monarch. The moral bankruptcy depicted in Judges 19 provides a grim backdrop to the future history of this strategically important region.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "draw near" (Hebrew: nāgaő) implies a deliberate approach, not just a casual passing. It suggests a conscious decision to seek refuge and spend the night. The urgency of "lodge all night" reflects the practical necessity of finding safe harbor before darkness fully set in, a common concern for travelers in that era.

Practical Application

Judges 19:13, while simple in its statement, carries profound implications. It reminds us that seemingly small decisions can lead to significant, unforeseen consequences. It underscores the importance of community and the moral responsibility of a society to uphold basic standards of decency and hospitality. The narrative that unfolds from this verse serves as a sober warning about the dangers of moral relativism and the societal decay that can occur when divine law and common human decency are abandoned.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 18:28 (2 votes)

    And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which [is] Jerusalem, Gibeath, [and] Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This [is] the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

  • Isaiah 10:29 (2 votes)

    They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

  • Hosea 5:8 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, [and] the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud [at] Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

  • Joshua 18:25 (2 votes)

    Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

  • Joshua 18:26 (2 votes)

    And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

  • 1 Samuel 10:26 (2 votes)

    And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.