The account of the Levite's concubine is a harrowing narrative found in the Book of Judges, chapters 19 to 21. This account is set during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by social and moral chaos in Israel, as encapsulated by the recurring phrase, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Background and Context

The narrative begins with a Levite residing in the remote hill country of Ephraim. He takes 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. The concubine in this account is described as having been unfaithful to the Levite, subsequently leaving him to return to her father's house in Bethlehem (Judges 19:1-2).

The Journey and the Crime

After four months, the Levite travels to Bethlehem to persuade her to return. The concubine's father welcomes him warmly, and after several days of hospitality, the Levite departs with his concubine. As night falls, they decide to stop in Gibeah, a town of the Benjamites, rather than a foreign city, expecting hospitality from fellow Israelites (Judges 19:10-15).

An old man offers them shelter, but the men of Gibeah, described as "wicked men," surround the house, demanding to have relations with the Levite. In a tragic turn, the Levite offers his concubine to them to protect himself. The men abuse her throughout the night, and she dies from the mistreatment (Judges 19:22-28).

The Outcry and Civil War

In response to this atrocity, the Levite dismembers her body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout the tribes of Israel, inciting outrage and a call to action against the tribe of Benjamin, which had harbored the perpetrators (Judges 19:29-30). The tribes of Israel unite to demand justice, but the Benjamites refuse to surrender the guilty men, leading to a civil war (Judges 20:12-14).

The conflict results in a devastating loss of life, with the tribe of Benjamin nearly annihilated. Only 600 Benjamite men survive by fleeing to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites, grieved by the near extinction of one of their tribes, devise a plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjamites, ensuring the tribe's survival (Judges 21:1-14).

Theological and Moral Implications

The account of the Levite's concubine is a stark illustration of the moral decay and lawlessness that prevailed in Israel during the time of the Judges. It highlights the consequences of a society that has turned away from God's commandments and the covenantal relationship established at Sinai. The narrative serves as a somber reminder of the need for righteous leadership and adherence to divine law.

The account also raises complex questions about justice, the value of human life, and the treatment of women in ancient Israelite society. The actions of the Levite, the men of Gibeah, and the subsequent response of the Israelite tribes reflect a deep-seated brokenness that calls for reflection and repentance.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The account is significant in its historical context as it underscores the tribal tensions and the fragile unity of the Israelite confederation before the establishment of the monarchy. It also serves as a precursor to the demand for a king, which would eventually lead to the anointing of Saul, a Benjamite, as Israel's first king.

The narrative of the Levite's concubine remains a powerful and unsettling account within the biblical canon, challenging readers to consider the implications of moral relativism and the necessity of godly leadership.