Judges 19:14

Judges 19:14 (KJV) describes a seemingly ordinary moment in the unfolding tragedy of the Levite and his concubine: "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them [when they were] by Gibeah, which [belongeth] to Benjamin." This verse, though brief, marks a critical turning point, setting the stage for one of the most disturbing and violent episodes in the Bible, revealing the depths of Israel's moral decay during the period of the Judges.

Context

This verse is part of a harrowing narrative found in Judges chapters 19-21. The Levite, traveling from Bethlehem in Judah with his concubine and servant, is seeking lodging for the night. They had previously chosen to bypass the Jebusite city of Jerusalem (which was not yet fully under Israelite control) in favor of an Israelite city, expecting safety and hospitality among their own people. Their choice to press on to Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, proves to be a fatal miscalculation. The setting sun emphasizes their dwindling options and the approaching darkness, both literally and figuratively, for the events that are about to transpire.

Key Themes

• Ill-Fated Choices: The decision to avoid a foreign city only to fall into extreme danger within an Israelite city highlights a profound irony and foreshadows the deep moral corruption within Israel itself. The Levite's choice, though seemingly prudent, leads to catastrophe.
• Lack of Hospitality: Ancient Near Eastern culture placed a high value on hospitality, especially towards travelers. The events immediately following this verse showcase a shocking and unprecedented failure of this sacred custom in Gibeah, contrasting sharply with examples of genuine hospitality elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Abraham's welcome of strangers in Genesis 18).
• Moral Decay of Israel: Gibeah, a city of Benjamin, becomes a stark symbol of the spiritual and moral decline that plagued Israel during the era described in Judges. This period is characterized by the repeated phrase, "there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). The horrific events in Gibeah ultimately provoke a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:1-48), demonstrating the devastating consequences of national sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, Gib'ah) literally means "hill." While not a profound linguistic insight for this specific verse, it serves as a geographical identifier, noting that they arrived at a prominent location within Benjamin's territory. The simple, factual statement "the sun went down upon them" creates a sense of foreboding, as the approaching night portends the dark deeds to come.

Practical Application

Judges 19:14, as a gateway to the subsequent narrative, offers several powerful lessons:

• The Gravity of Choices: Even seemingly minor decisions about where to stop or whom to trust can have profound, unforeseen consequences. The Levite's choice to press on to Gibeah illustrates how critical discernment is, especially when facing moral ambiguities.
• Societal Responsibility: The story of Gibeah serves as a grim reminder that the moral health of a society impacts everyone within it. When a community abandons divine standards and basic human decency, it can descend into chaos and depravity.
• Warning Against Moral Relativism: The book of Judges continually illustrates the dangers of a society where "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 19:14 leads into an extreme example of the horrific outcomes when objective moral truth is rejected, and individuals are left to their own corrupt desires.