The account of the Levite and his concubine is a narrative found in the Book of Judges, chapters 19 to 21, and serves as a poignant illustration of the moral and social decay in Israel during the time when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). This account is often cited as an example of the consequences of Israel's departure from God's laws and the resulting chaos and immorality.

Background and Setting

The narrative begins with a Levite residing in the remote hill country of Ephraim. The Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service to the Lord. Despite their sacred calling, the Levites, like the rest of Israel, were not immune to the prevailing moral decline. The Levite in this account had taken a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. A concubine, in the cultural context of ancient Israel, was a woman who lived with a man but had a lower status than his wife or wives. This arrangement, while culturally accepted, often led to complex familial and social dynamics.

The Incident in Gibeah

The concubine left the Levite and returned to her father's house in Bethlehem. After four months, the Levite went to persuade her to return with him. The concubine's father welcomed the Levite warmly, and after several days of hospitality, the Levite and his concubine set out for home. As night fell, they decided to stop in the Benjamite town of Gibeah, where they were offered shelter by an elderly man.

Tragically, the hospitality turned into horror as the men of Gibeah surrounded the house, demanding to have relations with the Levite. In a desperate attempt to protect himself, the Levite offered his concubine to the mob. The men of Gibeah abused her throughout the night, and she was found dead at the doorstep the next morning. The Levite's response was to cut her body into twelve pieces and send them throughout the territories of Israel, a shocking call to arms against the atrocity committed in Gibeah.

The Outrage and Civil War

The gruesome act of sending the dismembered body parts galvanized the tribes of Israel, who gathered at Mizpah to address the crime. The Levite recounted the events, and the assembly resolved to punish the perpetrators. The tribe of Benjamin, however, refused to surrender the guilty men of Gibeah, leading to a civil war between Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel.

The conflict was devastating, resulting in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites, struck by the potential loss of one of their tribes, devised a plan to provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, ensuring the tribe's continuity. This plan involved further morally questionable actions, including the abduction of women from Shiloh.

Moral and Theological Implications

The account of the Levite and his concubine is a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity when God's laws are ignored. It highlights the breakdown of social order and the consequences of moral relativism. The narrative serves as a somber reflection on the need for righteous leadership and adherence to divine commandments. The absence of a king in Israel is repeatedly noted, underscoring the need for godly governance and the dangers of each person doing what is right in their own eyes.

This account, while disturbing, is preserved in Scripture as a testament to the reality of sin and the necessity of repentance and restoration. It calls readers to reflect on the importance of justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God, as emphasized throughout the biblical narrative.