📖 Judges — Chapter 19 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Judges 19:1 And it came to pass in those days, Rwhen there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him Ta concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
Judges 19:2 And his concubine Rplayed the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there Tfour whole months.
Judges 19:3 And her husband arose, and Rwent after her, to speak Tfriendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father’s house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
Judges 19:4 And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
Judges 19:5 And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, RTComfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.
Judges 19:6 And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and Rlet thine heart be merry.
Judges 19:7 And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.
Judges 19:8 And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried Tuntil afternoon, and they did eat both of them.
Judges 19:9 And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father, said unto him, Behold, now the day Tdraweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, Tthe day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and Rto morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go Thome.
Judges 19:10 But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came Tover against RJebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
Judges 19:11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of Rthe Jebusites, and lodge in it.
Judges 19:12 And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah.
Judges 19:13 And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in RGibeah, or in Ramah.
Judges 19:14 And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.
Judges 19:15 And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of the city: for there was Rno man that took them into his house to lodging.
Judges 19:16 And, behold, there came an old man from Rhis 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.
Judges 19:17 And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, RWhither goest thou? and whence comest thou?
Judges 19:18 And he said unto him, We are passing from Bethlehemjudah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I went to Bethlehemjudah, but I am now going to Rthe house of the LORD; and there is no man that Treceiveth me to house.
Judges 19:19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
Judges 19:20 And the old man said, RPeace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.
Judges 19:21 RSo he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.
Judges 19:22 Now as Rthey were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
Judges 19:23 And Rthe man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.
Judges 19:24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and Rhumble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not Tso vile a thing.
Judges 19:25 But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they Rknew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Judges 19:26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where Rher lord was, till it was light.
Judges 19:27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
Judges 19:28 And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. RBut none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up, and gat him unto his place.
Judges 19:29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and Rdivided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.
Judges 19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: Rconsider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 19:1–10 — A journey delayed in Bethlehem
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A Levite travels to bring back his concubine from her father's house. Repeated hospitality delays departure until late in the day. The opening reminder that Israel has no king frames the account of moral breakdown that follows.
Key Truth: Read the journey as the setting of the coming tragedy rather than blaming its victim.
Check What You Remember
1. From which town did the concubine come? (Judges 19:1)
Find it in Judges 19:1 (KJV).
2. How many months had she stayed with her father? (Judges 19:2)
Find it in Judges 19:2 (KJV).
3. What other name is given for Jebus? (Judges 19:10)
Find it in Judges 19:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 19:11–21 — Hospitality found at Gibeah
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Levite refuses lodging in a foreign city and proceeds to Gibeah of Benjamin. No one initially receives them until an old man from Ephraim offers shelter and food. The expected safety among Israelites becomes part of the chapter's bitter contrast.
Key Truth: Belonging to Israel does not excuse or prevent the wickedness the chapter is about to expose.
Check What You Remember
1. Which town did the Levite choose for lodging? (Judges 19:12)
Find it in Judges 19:12 (KJV).
2. Which tribe did Gibeah belong to? (Judges 19:14)
Find it in Judges 19:14 (KJV).
3. Who offered the travelers lodging? (Judges 19:16)
Find it in Judges 19:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Judges 19:22–30 — Abuse and a national outcry
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A violent mob surrounds the house. The host offers women to protect his guest, and the concubine is sent out and assaulted. Her husband later sends her divided body throughout Israel. The woman's mistreatment and the men's failures must not be excused as hospitality or attributed to her deserving abuse.
Key Truth: The chapter exposes profound moral evil; recording it is not approving it.
Check What You Remember
1. What did the mob surround? (Judges 19:22)
Find it in Judges 19:22 (KJV).
2. Where were the woman's hands when her husband found her? (Judges 19:27)
Find it in Judges 19:27 (KJV).
3. Into how many pieces did the Levite divide her body? (Judges 19:29)
Find it in Judges 19:29 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Genesis 19:5 — The earlier account of a mob demanding a guest provides a disturbing narrative parallel.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What responsibilities did the men in this account fail to fulfill? Keep the woman's vulnerability in view as you consider the chapter's call to take counsel.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why does the Levite pass Jebus in favour of Gibeah?
2. What contrast marks the travellers’ reception in Gibeah?
3. How is the old host’s background distinguished from the town’s inhabitants?
4. How does the night’s attack overturn the setting of hospitality?
5. What response is called for after the deed is made known across Israel?
Notes
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