Judges 19:6

KJV

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they sat down {H3427}, and did eat {H398} and drink {H8354} both {H8147} of them together {H3162}: for the damsel's {H5291} father {H1} had said {H559} unto the man {H376}, Be content {H2974}, I pray thee, and tarry all night {H3885}, and let thine heart {H3820} be merry {H3190}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the two of them sat down and ate and drank together. Then the girl's father said to the man, "Please stay one more night, and have a good time."

Berean Standard Bible

So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.”

American Standard Version

So they sat down, and did eat and drink, both of them together: and the damsel’s father said unto the man, Be pleased, I pray thee, to tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 19:6 depicts a deceptive moment of comfort and insistent hospitality, where the Levite and his concubine are urged by the woman's father to prolong their stay in Bethlehem. This seemingly innocuous act of feasting and merriment, driven by cultural norms of generosity, inadvertently creates a critical delay in their journey, setting the stage for the horrific and morally depraved events that unfold later in Gibeah. The verse, therefore, serves as a chilling prelude, highlighting the profound dramatic irony between temporary ease and impending catastrophe, and subtly underscores the dangerous consequences of misplaced priorities and a lack of discernment in a morally decaying society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 19:6 is centrally positioned within one of the Bible's most disturbing narratives, detailing the Levite, his concubine, and the subsequent civil war. The preceding verses [Judges 19:1-5](/judges/19-1 "Judges 19:1-5 - The Levite and His Concubine") establish the Levite's journey to retrieve his concubine from her father's house in Bethlehem-Judah, where they are met with overwhelming and repeated hospitality. This verse marks the second day of their extended stay, emphasizing the father's persistent pleas for them to remain. The subsequent narrative [Judges 19:7-9](/judges/19-7 "Judges 19:7-9 - Further Delays") continues this pattern of delay, ultimately leading to their late departure and forced overnight stay in the wicked city of Gibeah [Judges 19:10-15](/judges/19-10 "Judges 19:10-15 - Journey to Gibeah"), where the narrative descends into unspeakable violence and depravity [Judges 19:22-30](/judges/19-22 "Judges 19:22-30 - The Atrocity in Gibeah"). The seemingly pleasant scene of eating and drinking in Judges 19:6 thus serves as a stark and tragic contrast to the horrors that immediately follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative of Judges unfolds during a period in Israelite history characterized by significant moral and spiritual decline, famously summarized by the refrain, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel"). Hospitality was a paramount cultural value in the ancient Near East, considered a sacred duty to protect and provide for travelers, often extending for several days. A host's honor was tied to the generosity and persistence of their hospitality. The father's actions in Judges 19:6, while excessive, align with this cultural expectation. Geographically, Bethlehem-Judah was a relatively safe and familial environment, contrasting sharply with the dangerous and morally corrupt Benjamite territory, particularly Gibeah, where the travelers would eventually face their ordeal. This cultural emphasis on hospitality, when taken to an extreme, inadvertently contributes to the unfolding tragedy.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 19:6, though seemingly benign, is crucial for developing several key themes within the broader narrative. The theme of **Perverted Hospitality** is subtly introduced; while the father's actions are rooted in a cultural virtue, his excessive insistence on delay ultimately leads his guests into grave danger, highlighting how even good intentions can have disastrous consequences without discernment. **Dramatic Irony** is powerfully at play, as the "merry heart" and comfort described in this verse stand in chilling contrast to the immense suffering and moral decay that immediately follows their departure, creating a profound sense of foreboding for the astute reader. Furthermore, the **Consequences of Delay and Poor Timing** are underscored, as the prolonged stay, driven by the father's hospitality, directly contributes to their late departure and subsequent exposure to the perils of the night. Ultimately, this verse serves as a pivotal setup for the overarching theme of **Moral and Spiritual Decline in Israel**, illustrating how the absence of righteous leadership and adherence to God's law led to widespread chaos and depravity, even twisting seemingly positive cultural norms into catalysts for evil.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Be content (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** While commonly translated as "peace," here the imperative form of _shalom_ (שָׁלוֹם) conveys a sense of urging someone to settle down, be at ease, or remain undisturbed. It's a strong plea for the Levite to relax and feel completely comfortable, implying a desire for him to extend his stay without any sense of urgency or worry. The father's use of this word underscores his insistence and the cultural pressure to accept prolonged hospitality.
* **Merry (Hebrew, _yatav lev'_):** This phrase (יָטַב לֵב) literally translates to "let your heart be good" or "feel good." It signifies cheerfulness, enjoyment, and a state of well-being. The father's instruction for the Levite's heart to be merry emphasizes his desire for the guest to experience full comfort and pleasure, free from the burdens of travel. This expression of desired joy and ease stands in stark and tragic contrast to the horrific events that await the travelers shortly after their departure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together":** This clause establishes a scene of communal comfort and shared sustenance. Sitting down signifies rest and a break from travel, while eating and drinking together are acts of fellowship, hospitality, and bonding in ancient cultures. It portrays a moment of peace and normalcy, reinforcing the pleasant atmosphere created by the father-in-law's hospitality.
* **"for the damsel's father had said unto the man":** This acts as a parenthetical explanation, providing the direct reason for their continued repose and shared meal. It attributes their extended stay directly to the father's persuasive words, highlighting his active role in delaying their departure.
* **"Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night":** This is the direct plea from the father. "Be content" (as discussed above) is an earnest request for the Levite to relax and stay. "Tarry all night" is the crucial command that dictates their schedule, preventing them from leaving at a safer, earlier time. This insistence, though culturally appropriate in its intent, becomes the catalyst for their later predicament.
* **"and let thine heart be merry":** This final phrase reinforces the father's desire for the Levite to fully enjoy his stay, free from worry or haste. It's an encouragement to embrace the comfort and pleasure of the moment. This seemingly innocent wish takes on a chilling **dramatic irony** given the unspeakable suffering and terror that awaits them just hours after this moment of "merriment."

#### Literary Devices
Judges 19:6 is rich in **dramatic irony**, where the audience is aware of the impending doom that the characters, particularly the Levite and his concubine, are oblivious to. The scene of eating, drinking, and a "merry heart" creates a false sense of security and comfort, directly contrasting with the horrific violence and moral depravity that will engulf them shortly after their departure from Bethlehem. This pleasant interlude also serves as **foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the tragic consequences of delay and complacency. The father's repeated insistence on staying, though an act of hospitality, becomes a fatal delay, emphasizing the narrative's focus on **cause and effect**. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the overarching **contrast** between the warmth and familial safety of Bethlehem and the utter depravity and danger of Gibeah, highlighting the stark moral landscape of Israel during the period of the Judges.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 19:6, embedded within one of the darkest narratives of the Old Testament, offers profound theological insights into human responsibility, the deceptive nature of comfort, and the consequences of moral decline. While hospitality is a virtue commended throughout Scripture, this passage subtly warns against its excess when it leads to a lack of discernment or creates vulnerability. The father's well-intentioned insistence, leading to the travelers' late departure, underscores how even seemingly good actions, when unbalanced by wisdom or a clear understanding of potential dangers, can have catastrophic outcomes. It highlights the human tendency towards complacency, prioritizing immediate comfort over prudent action, a theme echoed in other biblical warnings about sudden destruction. The verse also implicitly critiques the moral vacuum of the Judges period, where the absence of divine guidance and righteous leadership allowed such a seemingly innocuous delay to contribute to an unspeakable tragedy, demonstrating the profound need for discernment in a world where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

* [Proverbs 27:12](/proverbs/27-12 "The Prudent See Danger")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:3](/1_thessalonians/5-3 "Sudden Destruction")
* [Luke 12:19-20](/luke/12-19 "The Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 19:6 presents a chilling paradox: a moment of warmth and hospitality that ironically precipitates unimaginable horror. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and a present sense of ease or merriment does not guarantee future safety or well-being. It challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment in all circumstances, not just in the face of overt evil, but also in seemingly benign situations. We are called to consider the long-term consequences of our decisions, particularly those involving timing and complacency. While hospitality is a virtue, this narrative subtly warns against the dangers of excess or a lack of wisdom that might expose ourselves or others to unnecessary risks. It compels us to ask whether our pursuit of comfort or adherence to cultural norms might inadvertently lead us into spiritual or physical peril. More broadly, this passage, as a prelude to the depravity of Gibeah, underscores the critical importance of righteous leadership, adherence to God's moral standards, and the dire consequences when a society abandons divine truth, leading to chaos where every person acts according to their own fallen desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of "good intentions" and their potential, unforeseen consequences?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Levite, be lulled into a false sense of security by present comfort, neglecting future dangers or necessary actions?**
* **What lessons does the broader narrative of Judges 19, initiated by this delay, teach us about the importance of moral discernment and righteous living in a chaotic world?**

### FAQ

**Why is the father's hospitality, seemingly a good thing, portrayed so negatively in this narrative?**

Answer: The father's hospitality itself is not inherently negative; in ancient Israel, it was a deeply valued cultural and religious duty to welcome and protect travelers. However, in this narrative, the father's hospitality is portrayed as excessive and ultimately detrimental because his insistence on prolonging the stay directly leads to the Levite and his concubine departing late in the day. This delay exposes them to the dangers of traveling at night and forces them to seek lodging in the morally corrupt city of Gibeah, setting the stage for the horrific events that follow. The narrative uses this seemingly virtuous act to highlight how even good intentions, when unbalanced by wisdom or discernment, can have unforeseen and catastrophic consequences, especially in a morally decayed society where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")).

**What does "let thine heart be merry" mean in this context, given the later events?**

Answer: "Let thine heart be merry" is an invitation to enjoy the moment, to be at ease, and to find comfort in the present circumstances of feasting and fellowship. It signifies a desire for the Levite to be cheerful and unburdened by the worries of his journey. However, in the context of the unfolding narrative, this phrase takes on a profound **dramatic irony**. The temporary joy and sense of security it conveys stand in stark and chilling contrast to the unspeakable suffering, terror, and moral depravity that will befall the concubine and the Levite just hours after this moment of "merriment." It underscores the deceptive nature of appearances and the suddenness with which peace and comfort can give way to profound tragedy, serving as a literary device to heighten the sense of impending doom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Judges 19, with Judges 19:6 as its deceptively pleasant beginning, powerfully illustrates the desperate need for a true King and a perfect Shepherd in Israel. The Levite, a figure meant to represent spiritual leadership, fails spectacularly to protect his concubine, and the father's misguided, excessive hospitality inadvertently leads to disaster. This chaotic and morally bankrupt era, where "every man did what was right in his own eyes" ([Judges 21:25](/judges/21-25 "Judges 21:25 - No King in Israel")), stands in stark contrast to the reign of Christ. Unlike the self-serving and cowardly Levite, Jesus is the ultimate **Good Shepherd** ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), who does not delay or hesitate but actively lays down His life for His sheep, offering true protection and security. The superficial and temporary merriment offered by the father in Judges 19:6, which quickly turns to terror, is replaced by the enduring and profound peace that Christ offers His followers, a peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace")). The moral decay and human depravity vividly displayed in Judges underscore the absolute necessity of Christ's atoning work on the cross, which alone can bring light into the darkness of human sin and offer a path to righteousness and true spiritual well-being, fulfilling the longing for a righteous ruler who brings order and justice to His **Kingdom** ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God")), unlike the chaos and false security depicted in the period of the Judges.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.