CONTENTS Melancholy views of Israel's transgression still appear, and are prosecuted in their contents through this Chapter. In the former we have beheld the daring sin of idolatry; here we are presented with the horrid representation of the sin of murder. The concubine of a Levite forms the chief... [ Continue Reading ]
And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father's house to Bethlehemjudah, and was there four whole months. I think it probable, that though she is called his concubine, it meant his lawful wife; and indeed in the margin it is said so, for how otherwise could... [ Continue Reading ]
And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him. The affection of this man to his adulte... [ Continue Reading ]
There is somewhat very interesting in family happiness. The Lord hath entwined the heart of man to man. And in the nearer connections of life, the knot is drawn yet closer. But as to all these creature enjoyments, simply as creatures, what the apostle saith should be ever kept in view, "That they th... [ Continue Reading ]
This Gibeah was a city in the tribe of Benjamin, and it was directly on the road towards Shiloh. The resolution therefore of the Levite app ears to be very proper, for certainly there should seem to be more courtesy by right to be expected by an Israelite from a Benjamite, than from the Jebusites. B... [ Continue Reading ]
Probably in those days there were no public inns. But yet might not a Levite, and no doubt his dress indicated the order to which he belonged, have reasonably expected accommodation from every Israelite? The Lord had expressly pointed out that his Levites should have no inheritance with their brethr... [ Continue Reading ]
And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites. The sacred historian, as if to call our attention more immediately to this person, is careful to tell us that he was only... [ Continue Reading ]
While we pay the tribute of just praise, to the old man, and admire his generosity, let the Reader have the eye of his mind directed to him, of whom we read in the gospel, the good Samaritan, and in him behold the pleasing representation of that heavenly Samaritan, who when he passed by, literally f... [ Continue Reading ]
I would be led to hope, that the mirth here spoken of was sacred mirth. There is no real joy but the joy of the Holy Ghost; and this is the kingdom of God. Romans 14:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sad narrative of so detestable an action, and issuing from so detestable a cause, is enough to put to the blush our depraved nature. Who that reads it but must exclaim, Lord! what is man! And when we read the early breakings out of this most unnatural sin, in the days of Lot; look at it again he... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS Though the several contents in this chapter lead to the review only of the sin, and consequently the sorrow of our nature, yet my soul, if the contemplation of man's ruin by sin, prompts thy heart to admire and embrace yet more affectionately the glorious recovery by grace, and brings th... [ Continue Reading ]