聖書注解書

And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

And it came to pass in those days. — Not long after Joshua’s death, and before Othniel was judge. See Judges 17:6 .

Who took to him a concubine. — Heb., A wife, a concubine; ημιγαμος : Vero-coniux. not a harlot concubine, such as are the priests’ lemans One who is loved unlawfully; an unlawful lover or mistress among the Papists. The Helvetians had an old use and custom in their towns and villages, that when they received any new priest into their churches, they used to prewarn him to take his harlot concubine, lest he should attempt any misuse of their wives and daughters. If comparison should be made, said Cardinal Campeius, much greater offence it is for a priest to have a wife, than to have and keep at home many harlots; for they that keep harlots, said he, as it is naught that they do, so do they acknowledge their sin; the other persuade themselves to do well, and so continue without repentance or conscience of their fact. Act. and Mon., 790, 791. A fit reason for a carnal cardinal.

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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.

And his concubine played the whore against. — Which she could not have done had she not been a kind of secondary wife, according to the corrupt custom of those times. Josephus saith Antiq, lib. iii. cap. 2. that she was a fair woman, and not affecting her husband as she ought, but lingering after other lovers, great strife grew between them, whereupon she went away to her parents within four months after marriage. Varium et mutable semper femina.

And went away from him. — An odious woman she was, which is one of those four things that disquiet the earth. Proverbs 30:20

Unto her father’s house. — Who, as a fond father, received her, whenas he should rather have rated or punished her, and sent her home again.

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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.

And her husband arose, and went after her. — Either out of pity to her, or want of her company. She should have sought to him first, as being the peccant party; but she could not bring her heart to it.

“ Fastus inest pulchris, … ”

Having his servant with him. — This Levite had one servant. Balaam the false prophet rode with two. Numbers 22:22 Oh, let not Christ’s true ministers be slaves to others, servants to themselves.

He rejoiced to meet him. — The father and daughter made no means for reconciliation; but when remission came home to them, none could entertain it more thankfully. The nature of many men is forward to accept, and negligent to sue for; they can spend secret wishes upon that which shall cost them no endeavour.

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And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

Retained him. — Or, as others render it, Embraced him.

So they did eat and drink. — In token of hearty reconciliation. Genesis 26:30 Exodus 32:6

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And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel’s father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.

That he rose up to depart. — It is good hearing, saith a reverend man, Bp. Hall. when the Levite maketh haste home. An honest man’s heart is the place of his calling. Such a one, when he is abroad, is like a fish in the air; whereinto if it leap for recreation or necessity, yet it soon returneth to to its own element. This charge by how much more sacred it is, so much the more attendance it expecteth. Even a day breaketh square with the conscionable.

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And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

And did eat and drink both of them together. — The Levite and his concubine, that their hearts might the better reunite, and their loves be renewed: as a bone once broken is stronger after setting; and as boards well glued will not easily be dissevered.

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And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.

His father-in-law urged him. — Compelled him - as Lot did the angels, to lodge in his house; Genesis 19:1-3 as the two disciples did our Saviour, to stay longer with them - not by force, but by friendly entreaties.

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And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them.

And he arose early in the morning. — See Judges 18:5 .

And they tarried until afternoon. — Heb., Till the day declined; whereas else, haply, they might have got home that night, and the following mischiefs have been prevented. Delays are many times very dangerous.

“ Semper nocuit differre paratis. ”

The devil usually courteth and cozeneth defrauds those that have a mind to look toward heaven, as this old man did the Levite, with, Be content, I pray thee, … What haste? In space cometh grace; and, Hereafter may be time enough. But we must be resolute and peremptory, or worse will come of it, sure enough.

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