700 - The Pieces of the Concubine

The Pieces of the Concubine 

That evening an old man came home, from his work in the fields. 

He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah, where the people were from the tribe of Benjamin. 

When he saw the travelers, sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from, and where they were going. 

“We have been in Bethlehem, in Judah,” the man replied. 

“We are on our way to a remote area, in the hill country of Ephraim, which is my home. 

I traveled to Bethlehem, and now I’m returning home. 

But no one has taken us in, for the night, even though we have everything we need. 

We have straw and feed, for our donkeys, and plenty of bread and wine, for ourselves.” 

“You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. 

“I will give you anything, that you might need. 

But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.” 

So, he took them home with him, and fed the donkeys. 

After they washed their feet, they ate and drank together. 

While they were enjoying themselves, a crowd of troublemakers, from the town,  surrounded the house. 

They began beating, at the door,  and shouting, to the old man, 

“Bring out the man, who is staying with you, so we can have sex with him.” 

The old man stepped outside, to talk to them. 

“No, my brothers, don’t do such an evil thing. 

For this man is a guest, in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. 

Here, take my virgin daughter… and this man’s concubine. 

I will bring them out, to you, and you can abuse them… and do whatever you like. 

But, don’t do such a shameful thing, to this man.” 

But, they wouldn’t listen to him. 

So, the Levite took hold of his concubine …and pushed her out the door. 

The men, of the town, abused her all night, taking turns raping her, until morning. 

Finally, at dawn they let her go. 

At daybreak, the woman returned to the house, where her husband was staying. 

She collapsed, at the door, of the house, and lay there, until it was light. 

When her husband opened the door, to leave, there lay his concubine, with her hands on the threshold. 

He said, “Get up! …Let’s go!” 

But there was no answer. 

So, he put her body, on his donkey, and took her home. 

When he got home, he took a knife, and cut his concubine’s body… into twelve pieces. 

Then, he sent one piece, to each tribe, throughout all the territory, of Israel. 

Everyone, who saw it, said, 

“Such a horrible crime has not been committed, in all the time, since Israel left Egypt. 

Think about it! 

What are we going to do? 

Who’s going to speak up?” 

Judges 19:16–30 (NLT)

Praise be to God!