Judges Chapter 19

Judges Chapter 19
1 Also in those days, when there was no
king in Israel, a certain Levite dwelt on
the side of mount Ephraim, and took to
wife a concubine out of Beth-lehem
Judah,
2 And his concubine played the whore
there, and went away from him unto her
father's house to Beth-lehem Judah, and
there continued the space of four months.
3 And her husband arose and went after
her, to speak friendly unto her, and to
bring her again: he had also his servant
with him, and a couple of asses: and she
brought him unto her father's house, and
when the young woman's father saw him,
he rejoiced of his coming.
4 And his father in law, the young
woman's father retained him: and he
abode with him three days: so they did
eat and drink, and lodged there. 5 And
when the fourth day came, they arose
early in the morning, and he prepared to
depart: then the young woman's father
said unto his son in law, Comfort thine
heart with a morsel of bread, and then go
your way. 6 So they sat down, and did
eat and drink both of them together. And
the young woman's father said unto the
man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry
all night, and let thine heart be merry.
7 And when the man rose up to depart,
his father in law was earnest: therefore
he returned, and lodged there.
8 And he arose up early the fifth day to
depart, and the young woman's father
said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee:
and they tarried until after midday, and
they both did eat.
9 Afterward when the man arose to
depart with his concubine and his
servant, his father in law, the young
woman's father said unto him, Behold
now, the day draweth toward even: I
pray you, tarry all night: behold, the sun
goeth to rest: lodge here, that thine heart
may be merry, and tomorrow get you
early upon your way, and go to thy tent.
10 But the man would not tarry, but
arose and departed, and came over
against Jebus, (which is Jerusalem) and
his two asses laden, and his concubine
were with him.
11 When they were near to Jebus, the
day was sore spent, and the servant said
unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and
let us turn into this city of the Jebusites,
and lodge all night there.
12 And his master answered him, We
will not turn into the city of strangers
that are not of the children of Israel, but
we will go forth to Gibeah. 13 And he
said unto his servant, Come, and let us
draw near to one of these places, that we
may lodge in Gibeah or in Ramah.
14 So they went forward upon their way,
and the sun went down upon them near to
Gibeah, which is in Benjamin.
15 Then they turned thither to go in and
lodge in Gibeah: and when he came, he
sat him down in a street of the city: for
there was no man that took them into his
house to lodging.
16 And behold, there came an old man
from his work out of the field at even,
and the man was of mount Ephraim, but
dwelt in Gibeah: and the men of the
place were the children of Jemini.
17 And when he had lift up his eyes, he
saw a way fairing man in the streets of
the city: then this old man said, Whither
goest thou, and whence camest thou?
18 And he answered him, We came from
Beth-lehem Judah, unto the side of mount
Ephraim: from thence am I: and I went to
Beth-lehem Judah, and go now to the
house of the Lord: and no man receiveth
me to house, 19 Although we have straw
and provender for our asses, and also
bread and wine for me and thine
handmaid, and for the boy that is with
thy servant: we lack nothing.
20 And the old man said, Peace be with
thee: as for all that thou lackest, shalt
thou find with me: only abide not in the
street all night. 21 So he brought him
into his house, and gave fodder unto the
asses: and they washed their feet, and
did eat and drink.
22 And as they were making their hearts
merry, behold, the men of the city,
wicked men beset the house round about,
and smote at the door, and spake to this
old man the master of the house saying,
Bring forth the man that came into thine
house that we may know him.
23 And this man the master of the house
went out unto them, and said unto them,
Nay my brethren, do not so wickedly, I
pray you: seeing that this man is come
into mine house, do not this villainy.
24 Behold, here is my daughter, a virgin,
and his concubine: them will I bring out
now, and humble them, and do with them
what seemeth you good: but to this man
do not this villainy.
25 But the men would not hearken to
him: therefore the man took his
concubine, and brought her out unto
them: and they knew her and abused her
all the night unto the morning: and when
the day began to spring, they let her go.
26 So the woman came in the dawning of
the day, and fell down at the door of the
man's house where her lord was, till the
light day.
27 And her lord arose in the morning,
and opened the doors of the house, and
went out to go his way, and behold, the
woman his concubine was dead at the
door of the house and her hands lay upon
the threshold. 28 And he said unto her,
Up and let us go: but she answered not.
Then he took her up upon the ass, and the
man rose up, and went unto his place. 29
And when he was come to his house, he
took a knife, and laid hand on his
concubine, and divided her in pieces
with her bones into twelve parts, and
sent her through all quarters of Israel.
30 And all that saw it, said, There was
no such thing done or seen since the time
that the children of Israel came up from
the land of Egypt unto this day: consider
the matter, consult and give sentence.