Judges 20:6

Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel's inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.

Study Bible

Then I took my concubine,

The Levite recounts the aftermath of the assault at Gibeah, where his concubine had been abused through the night and died at the doorway of the house. A concubine held a recognized marital relationship, though of lower status than a primary wife. Her death exposed not only the cruelty of the men of Gibeah but also the failure of Israel to protect the vulnerable within its own covenant community.

Jdg 19:25 But the men would not listen to him. So the Levite…
2Sa 5:13 After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more wives…

cut her into pieces,

The Levite’s dismemberment of her body was a horrifying public summons for Israel to confront the evil committed in Benjamin. The act communicated that an outrage had occurred that could not be hidden or treated as a private grievance. Saul later used a similar call to unite Israel against an enemy by sending pieces of oxen throughout the tribes (1 Samuel 11:7).

1Sa 11:7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces…
Exo 29:17 Cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs,…
Lev 1:6 Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it…

and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance,

The portions were sent through the tribal territories allotted by the Lord, calling every tribe to recognize its responsibility before God. Gibeah’s sin stained the whole nation because Israel was one people under the covenant and could not tolerate such violence among them.

Jdg 19:29 When he reached his house, he picked up a knife…
Jos 13:7 Now therefore divide this land as an inheritance…

because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.

The men of Gibeah committed an act resembling the wickedness of Sodom (Genesis 19:4–8), violating God’s commands concerning sexual purity, hospitality, justice, and the protection of life. Their crime revealed the spiritual anarchy of the period of the judges, when Israel repeatedly abandoned God’s rule and did what was right in its own eyes.

Deu 22:21 she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house,…
Gen 34:7 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned…
2Sa 13:12 “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me”…

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Levite
A central figure in this account, the Levite's actions set off a chain of events leading to civil war. His decision to dismember his concubine and send her parts throughout Israel was a call to action against the atrocity committed in Gibeah.

2. The Concubine
The Levite's concubine was the victim of a horrific crime in Gibeah. Her tragic death becomes the catalyst for the events that follow.

3. Gibeah
A town in the territory of Benjamin where the crime against the concubine occurred. It becomes the focal point of Israel's outrage and subsequent military action.

4. The Israelites
The tribes of Israel, who are called to respond to the atrocity. Their reaction leads to a civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.

5. The Benjamites
The tribe of Benjamin, who initially refuse to surrender the perpetrators of the crime, leading to conflict with the other tribes of Israel.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Moral Decay
The events in Judges 20:6 illustrate the severe consequences of moral and spiritual decay within a community. When God's laws are ignored, chaos and injustice can prevail.

The Importance of Justice
The Levite's drastic actions underscore the need for justice in the face of evil. As believers, we are called to stand against injustice and seek righteousness.

The Role of Leadership
The lack of strong, godly leadership in Israel during this time led to moral anarchy. This highlights the importance of having leaders who uphold God's standards.

Community Responsibility
The collective response of the tribes of Israel shows the importance of community responsibility in addressing sin and wrongdoing. As a body of believers, we must hold each other accountable.

The Dangers of Unchecked Sin
The account warns of the dangers of allowing sin to go unchecked within a community. It can lead to greater evils and ultimately, destruction.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of the Levite and his concubine reflect the spiritual state of Israel during the time of the Judges?

2. In what ways does the response of the Israelite tribes to the crime in Gibeah demonstrate the importance of communal action against sin?

3. How can we apply the lessons of leadership and accountability from this passage to our own church communities today?

4. What parallels can we draw between the events in Judges 20 and the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, and what do these parallels teach us about God's view of sin?

5. How can we ensure that we are not desensitized to sin and injustice in our own lives and communities, and what steps can we take to address these issues biblically?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 19
The events in Gibeah echo the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, highlighting themes of hospitality, sexual immorality, and divine judgment.

Deuteronomy 13
The call to action against the Benjamites can be seen in light of the laws concerning idolatry and the need to purge evil from among the people.

1 Samuel 11
Saul's call to arms against the Ammonites by sending pieces of oxen throughout Israel parallels the Levite's actions, showing a cultural method of rallying the tribes.