One of the darkest and most disturbing events in Israel’s history during the period of the Judges is recorded in Chapter 19. The Chapter exposes the devastating consequences of a nation that retains its religious identity but abandons the righteousness, justice, holiness, and Commandments of YeHoVaH and allows moral corruption, sexual perversion, violence, and lawlessness to flourish among His Covenant people.

The Chapter begins with a Levite dwelling in Mount Ephraim whose concubine leaves him and returns to her father’s house in Bethlehem-Judah. After reconciling with her, they begin their journey home, eventually arriving in Gibeah, a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. The series of events that unfolded with The Levite’s Concubine in the territory of Benjamin set the stage for Israel’s second civil war that almost wiped out an entire Israelite tribe.

Other Teachings: Judges Series, Samson and Delilah – Judges 16:1-31, The Name of God

What does Judges 19 teach about a nation that keeps its religious identity but abandons righteousness? Arthur Bailey calls Judges 19 one of the darkest and most disturbing events in Israel’s history, and he sees little difference between Israel then and a nation today that claims to fear God while lawlessness abounds. Israel had no king, but Israel had the Commandments, and having the Commandments without obeying them is like not having them at all. Knowing the Word of God does not make anyone righteous, because those who hear without doing are deceived. What YeHoVaH rewards is not knowledge but diligently hearkening to obey. The proper response to wickedness, he teaches, is to walk upright and live righteously, trusting YeHoVaH to protect you wherever you are. This chapter sets the stage for Israel’s second civil war, in which a whole tribe tries to protect the wicked among them, to its own demise.