A Levite from Ephraim's hill country takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah; when she leaves him, he goes to bring her back. After extended hospitality with her father, they depart late and refuse to stay in Jebusite Jerusalem, pressing on to Gibeah in Benjamin where an old Ephraimite takes them in. Worthless men of Gibeah surround the house demanding the Levite for homosexual rape; the host offers his virgin daughter and the concubine instead, and the Levite pushes his concubine outside where they abuse her all night until she falls dead at the doorstep. The Levite cuts her body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout Israel, provoking unprecedented horror and the assembly's determination to address this outrage.
Read Judges Chapter 19 Summary
Characters in This Chapter

Prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over the Canaanites

Judge who defeated the Midianites with 300 men, demonstrating God's power

Nazirite judge with supernatural strength who fought the Philistines

Outcast who became judge and defeated the Ammonites

Youngest Son of Jacob
Places in This Chapter

The Promised Land where Israel settled but failed to completely drive out the inhabitants

Jerusalem is the holiest city in Judaism and Christianity, central to the biblical narrative. King David captured it and made it his capital, and his son Solomon built the First Temple there. It was the site of Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and the birth of the Christian church at Pentecost. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history.

Gibeah of Benjamin is remembered for two contrasting associations. Its darkest moment came in Judges 19-21 when its residents committed an atrocity that nearly led to Benjamin's extinction. Yet it later became the hometown of Saul, Israel's first king.

Ramah (also Ramathaim-zophim) was the hometown of Samuel the prophet. He lived here, judged Israel from here, and was buried here. It was a center for the prophets and the school of prophets. Saul first met Samuel here when searching for his father's donkeys.

Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Position in Book
Two appendices showing Israel's deep moral corruption: Micah's idolatry and the Levite's concubine incident.
Bible Bites
A left-handed hero the enemy never saw coming
The judge Ehud was left-handed, so he hid his sword on his right thigh, the side guards never checked (Judges 3:15-21). His 'weakness' became the very reason his surprise attack succeeded. The Bible loves an unlikely hero.
Judges 3:15-21

