Judges 20:4
In Judges 20:4, we see the Levite’s testimony: *“So the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, ‘I came with my concubine to spend the night at Gibeah which belongs to Benjamin’* (v.4 NASB-95). These words are spoken before an assembly of Israelites who are seeking to understand the tragic events that occurred in the Benjamite territory. The Levite identifies himself as “the husband of the woman who was murdered,” referencing the gruesome crime in which his concubine was abused and killed by the men of Gibeah. This moment, dated to roughly the 14th century BC when Israel had no centralized monarchy, is a call for collective action among the tribes in the face of such wickedness.
By stating, *“I came with my concubine to spend the night at Gibeah,”* the Levite emphasizes the hospitality he initially sought in a city traditionally belonging to the tribe of Benjamin (v.4). Gibeah was a Benjamite city in the central hill country north of Jerusalem, located between the regions of Samaria and Judah. It was during his stay there that tragedy struck, leading to a broader conflict which would nearly obliterate the tribe of Benjamin itself (Judges 19–21). Accounts of Gibeah’s moral decline also appear in later references, demonstrating how deeply this event stained Israel’s collective memory. The prophets, such as Hosea, even invoked Gibeah as a symbol for the nation’s sinfulness citeturn0file3.
From a spiritual perspective, Judges 20:4 underscores how covenant people are meant to protect the innocent, provide safe lodging, and follow God’s standards of justice. Instead, their failure in Gibeah to uphold righteousness incited a civil war fueled by righteous indignation over a hideous crime. While the Levite’s declaration serves as evidence against the perpetrators, it also illuminates the brokenness and moral chaos that reigned during the time of the Judges (Judges 21:25), anticipating the ultimate need for godly leadership—a need ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Luke 1:32-33).
This verse captures the Levite’s personal anguish and the wider call to confront evil in covenant community.
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:
- Genesis 20:1-4 meaning. Abraham moves to Gerar. He told King Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. Therefore, the king sent for and took Sarah. However, in a dream, God revealed to Abimelech that Sarah was married.
- Judges 4:17-22 meaning. This passage narrates the surprising and decisive role of a woman named Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, in the defeat of Sisera. After fleeing the battle, Sisera seeks refuge in Jael’s tent, where she deceptively offers him hospitality. However, once Sisera falls asleep, Jael takes initiative and marks her place in Israel’s redemptive history.
- Genesis 4:20-26 meaning. Lamech’s two wives, Adah and Zillah, have children who continue to build in the city of Enoch. Meanwhile, Adam and Eve have another son named Seth. Through Seth, the godly lineage would continue.