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Judges 19:13

In this verse, a traveling Levite chooses not to stay in an unfamiliar Jebusite city, so he addresses his servant with the words, *“He said to his servant, ‘Come and let us approach one of these places; and we will spend the night in Gibeah or in Ramah.’ (v.13)* This decision occurs as twilight approaches, reflecting his desire to find lodging among fellow Israelites rather than among Gentiles. Despite the Levite’s intention to seek safety, the city of Gibeah will ironically prove to be a scene of grave wrongdoing that will affect the entire tribe of Benjamin (Judges 19:14–20:48).

Geographically, Gibeah and Ramah were within the region of Benjamin, just a few miles north of Jerusalem. Gibeah was known as the hometown of Saul, Israel’s first king, while Ramah was associated with the prophet Samuel, making both locations significant in Israel’s history. Their proximity indicates the Levite’s pragmatic approach to find a place of hospitality, trusting in the common heritage of God’s people rather than risking an overnight stay among strangers citeturn0file5.

From a spiritual standpoint, the Levite’s words highlight how people in the period of the Judges routinely sought hospitality while traveling—reflecting the cultural importance of caring for strangers and providing protection to guests, an ethic that should have marked Israel as a covenant people. The tragic events that follow in Judges 19 ultimately illustrate the depravity that can arise when a community forgets its covenant responsibilities and the commands to love their neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

It underscores that without God’s Word as a moral anchor, human cruelty can overshadow even the strongest traditions of hospitality.

This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]

Other Relevant Commentaries:

  • Deuteronomy 17:8-13 meaning. Moses advises local judges to appeal to the Levitical priests or to the judge in office at the central sanctuary in order to seek guidance when some cases seem too difficult for them to handle.
  • Genesis 19:1-3 meaning. Two angels appear to Lot in Sodom. Lot urges them to spend the night in his house and he prepares a feast for them.
  • Genesis 16:13-16 meaning. Hagar recognized the angel to be God. She returned and bore a son to Abram. They named him Ishmael.

Judges 19:13