Topical Bible: Israel: Scandal of the Bethlehemite's Concubine

◄ Israel: Scandal of the Bethlehemite's Concubine ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The scandal of the Bethlehemite's concubine, as recorded in the Book of Judges, is a harrowing narrative that underscores the moral and social decay in Israel during the time of the judges. This account is found in Judges 19-21 and serves as a grim illustration of the chaos and lawlessness that prevailed when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Background and Context

The account begins with a Levite residing in the remote hill country of Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. After a period of estrangement, the concubine returns to her father's house in Bethlehem. The Levite, seeking reconciliation, travels to Bethlehem to persuade her to return with him. After several days of hospitality from the concubine's father, the Levite departs with her, heading back to Ephraim.

The Outrage at Gibeah

As night falls, the Levite and his concubine find themselves in the Benjamite town of Gibeah. Despite the inhospitable nature of the town, an old man offers them shelter. However, the night takes a dark turn when "wicked men of the city" surround the house, demanding to have relations with the Levite (Judges 19:22). In a desperate attempt to protect himself, the Levite sends out his concubine to the mob, who abuse her throughout the night. At dawn, she collapses at the doorstep and dies.

The Call to Justice

The Levite's response to this atrocity is both shocking and symbolic. He dismembers the concubine's body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout the territories of Israel, a call to arms and a demand for justice. The gruesome act galvanizes the tribes of Israel, who gather at Mizpah to address the crime committed in Gibeah.

Civil War and Retribution

The tribes of Israel, united in outrage, demand that the tribe of Benjamin surrender the perpetrators. When the Benjamites refuse, a civil war ensues. The conflict is devastating, resulting in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites, struck by the potential loss of one of their tribes, devise a plan to ensure the survival of Benjamin, which involves further morally questionable actions, including the abduction of women from Shiloh to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites.

Moral and Theological Implications

The scandal of the Bethlehemite's concubine is a narrative that highlights the depths of moral depravity and the consequences of a society that has turned away from God's covenantal laws. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for righteous leadership and adherence to divine commandments. The account is a testament to the chaos that ensues when God's people forsake His ways, emphasizing the necessity of justice, mercy, and the rule of law as foundational to a godly society.

This account, while deeply disturbing, is preserved in Scripture as a sobering reflection on human sinfulness and the dire need for redemption and divine intervention.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 19:1
And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
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Judges 20:1
Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, to the LORD in Mizpeh.
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