Topical Bible: Hospitality: Man of Gibeah to the Levite

◄ Hospitality: Man of Gibeah to the Levite ►

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The account of the hospitality extended by the man of Gibeah to the Levite is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 19. This narrative provides a complex and sobering illustration of hospitality, a virtue highly esteemed in biblical tradition, juxtaposed with the moral decay prevalent during the time of the Judges.

Context and Setting

The account unfolds during a period when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This era was marked by social and spiritual chaos, as the Israelites frequently turned away from God’s commandments. The Levite, whose name is not mentioned, was traveling with his concubine from Bethlehem in Judah to his home in the hill country of Ephraim. As night approached, they sought shelter in the town of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin.

The Hospitality of the Old Man

Upon entering Gibeah, the Levite and his concubine found no one willing to take them in for the night, a stark violation of the cultural norms of hospitality. Eventually, an old man, himself a sojourner from the hill country of Ephraim, encountered them in the town square. Recognizing their plight, he extended an invitation to stay at his home, saying, "Peace to you. Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square" (Judges 19:20).

The old man's actions reflect the biblical mandate to show kindness to strangers, as seen in passages like Leviticus 19:34, which commands the Israelites to love the stranger as themselves. His offer to provide for all their needs underscores the depth of his hospitality, which included not only shelter but also provisions for their journey.

Moral and Social Breakdown

Tragically, the hospitality of the old man is overshadowed by the heinous events that follow. The men of Gibeah, described as "wicked men" (Judges 19:22), surrounded the house and demanded that the Levite be brought out to them. This echoes the depravity seen in Sodom (Genesis 19), highlighting the moral decline in Israel. The old man, in a desperate attempt to protect his guest, offered his own daughter and the Levite's concubine to the mob, a decision that reflects the complex and often troubling social dynamics of the time.

The narrative takes a dark turn as the Levite's concubine is brutally abused and left for dead. The Levite's subsequent actions, including the dismemberment of her body and sending the pieces throughout Israel, serve as a catalyst for national outrage and civil war against the tribe of Benjamin.

Theological and Ethical Reflections

This account raises profound theological and ethical questions about the nature of hospitality, the value of human life, and the consequences of societal sin. The old man's initial act of hospitality stands in stark contrast to the violence and inhospitality of the men of Gibeah. It serves as a reminder of the biblical call to protect and care for the vulnerable, even amidst a culture of corruption and moral ambiguity.

The account of the Levite and the man of Gibeah ultimately underscores the need for righteous leadership and adherence to God's laws, as the absence of such governance leads to chaos and suffering. It challenges readers to reflect on their own commitment to hospitality and justice in a world that often mirrors the brokenness of ancient Israel.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 19:16-21
And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Crime Committed by the Inhabitants of Gibeah against the Wife ...
... He meant to get as far as Gibeah, which was inhabited by the people ... there was no
one to take him in, the old man offered him hospitality and prepared a ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xix the crime committed.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The story of the Levite is considered by some critics to be ... and he died: for he was
an old man, and heavy ... The Philistine garrison at Geba (Gibeah) is mentioned ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm