Judges 19:22

*“While they were celebrating, behold, the men of the city, certain worthless fellows, surrounded the house, pounding the door; and they spoke to the owner of the house, the old man, saying, ‘Bring out the man who came into your house that we may have relations with him.’”* (Judges 19:22). This unsettling incident takes place in Gibeah, a city within the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. Gibeah was situated in the central highlands of Israel, a few miles north of what later became Jerusalem. During the time of the judges (roughly 1375–1050 BC), Israel had no centralized monarchy and social order was fractured, allowing corruption and lawlessness to arise in various regions. This verse describes how the local men, referred to as “worthless fellows,” commit a grievous act by attempting to force the traveler (a Levite) into sexual abuse, echoing the moral degradation found in other areas of Scripture (cf. Genesis 19:4-5, NASB-95).

These “worthless fellows” exhibit the tragic moral spiral of an Israelite society which neglected its covenant responsibilities to the LORD (Judges 21:25, NASB-95). The old man in the narrative, who graciously offered shelter to the Levite, is confronted with a wicked demand from his fellow townsmen. Although not a prominent figure by name, this elderly host stands in stark contrast to the men of the city by trying to offer protection to his guest. It is significant that this event transpires just before the entire tribe of Benjamin is nearly destroyed in the subsequent chapters (Judges 20–21, NASB-95). This sorrowful episode vividly portrays the severity of Israel’s spiritual decline. In the New Testament, Jesus calls believers to a higher standard of love and compassion (John 13:34, NASB-95), far removed from such cruelty.

This narrative also foreshadows the collective consequences of unchecked sin. When individual hearts harden against God’s commands, entire communities can suffer. This verse reveals the brokenness that can occur within a covenant people who lose sight of God’s righteousness, becoming a warning for future generations. The Levite’s presence was meant to highlight hospitality and protection, yet it became the focal point of a heinous plan. The appalling nature of the men’s demand shows how distant the people of Gibeah had become from God’s intended design for personal conduct and godly relationships (Romans 1:24–27, NASB-95).

This verse underscores the tragic depth of Israel’s moral corruption before the establishment of the monarchy.