Sunday, February 16, 2014

The great battle against the Benjaminites

The final three chapters in the book of Judges--chapters 19 through 21--involved a great battle with one of the tribes of Israel who betrayed the rest: the tribe of Benjamin.

It all started with the malicous rape of a Levite's concubine.

In chapter 19, a Levite took a concubine back to his home.  His wife was furious.  She left for her father's house, and the husband, with concubine in tow, followed.  The father was not furious.  Oddly enough, he made the husband and concubine stay again and again, for several days.  They were to stay one final night, but the Levite was ready to leave.  He found shelter in Gibeah, from a kind old man.

That night, a group of sexual deviants (from the tribe of Benjamin) surrounded his home, demanding the Levite.  His concubine was sent out instead and they raped her all night long.  She was on the brink of death the next morning.

The Levite went to the Israelites and demanded justice.  A great battle ensued, slaughtering many brave men on both sides of the battle.

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