Judges 19:20
And the old man said, “Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants. Only, do not spend the night in the square.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This old man's greeting isn't just a casual "hello"; the phrase translated as "Peace be with you" is actually an assurance of help, offering complete provision for the traveler's needs. It highlights a profound generosity that goes beyond mere hospitality, aiming to relieve all burdens and anxieties, most urgently ensuring the stranger doesn't have to endure the vulnerability of sleeping outside.
A Levite and his concubine arrive in Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, seeking lodging for the night. After initial hesitation and under pressure from the townspeople, an elderly man from the same region as the Levite graciously invites them to his home, offering them food and shelter and urging them not to sleep in the town square.
In a time when 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes,' a stranger is met not with suspicion, but with an outpouring of care. What does this verse reveal about the nature of true hospitality?
This passage occurs within the book of Judges, a period described as lawless and chaotic, where "there was no king in Israel." Yet, in Judges 19:20, the old man’s response to the arriving Levite is striking. He doesn't just offer a place to stay; he says, 'Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants.'
Beyond Basic Needs
The commentaries highlight the depth of this offer. It's not merely about providing a bed or a meal, but a complete assurance of provision. Phrases like 'howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me' and 'It matters not whether thou wantest nothing or everything' emphasize a willingness to bear any burden for the guest's comfort and security.
This radical generosity stands in stark contrast to the moral decay described in the surrounding chapters. It’s a profound act of human kindness that transcends the self-interest so prevalent in that era. The old man’s immediate concern is for the traveler’s well-being, offering not just shelter but also peace and complete care.
While the old man's words are gracious, there's an urgent undertone that speaks volumes about the dangers lurking just outside the doorstep. What unspoken threats does his plea reveal?
The old man's hospitality is warm and encompassing, but it’s coupled with a crucial plea: 'Only, do not spend the night in the square.' This isn't just a preference; it's a desperate warning.
The Peril of Public Spaces
The context of Judges paints a grim picture. The book repeatedly describes a society where lawlessness reigned, and morality had deeply eroded. The public spaces, especially at night, were not safe havens but places of significant danger. The mention of 'Genesis 19:2' in the commentary draws a parallel to the story of Sodom, where public spaces were sites of extreme immorality and violence.
By insisting the Levite not stay in the 'square,' the old man is actively shielding his guest from the perils of the night, perils that, as the rest of the chapter horrifyingly reveals, involved extreme violence and depravity. His welcome is not just an act of kindness, but an act of protection against a society that had lost its moral compass.
Understand the original words
shalom · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew greeting (shalom) encompassing not just the absence of conflict, but total well-being, prosperity, harmony, and wholeness in body, spirit, and community. It is a state of being right with God and others.
The hospitality offered by the old man in this verse is a stark contrast to the deep moral chaos and violence that define the surrounding events. It highlights a flicker of true humanity and care amidst widespread lawlessness.
c. 1375-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
This era in Israelite history was characterized by decentralized tribal rule and cycles of apostasy, oppression, deliverance, and peace, often marked by a lack of strong central leadership.
Undated (within Judges)
Anarchy and Moral Decay
The book of Judges repeatedly states, 'In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.' This highlights a time of significant lawlessness and moral decline.
Undated (within Judges)— this verse
Outrage in Gibeah
A Levite's concubine is brutally assaulted and killed in Gibeah, a town of the tribe of Benjamin, sparking widespread outrage throughout Israel.
Undated (following the outrage)
Intertribal War Erupts
The other tribes of Israel declare war on Benjamin to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, resulting in devastating conflict.
This passage also describes a stranger being offered hospitality and urged not to stay in the public square, highlighting a recurring theme of protecting travelers from potential dangers.
Luke 10:30-37The Good Samaritan story shows the importance of extending mercy and aid to a stranger in need, mirroring the old man's generous offer of care and protection.
Romans 12:13This verse encourages believers to 'practice hospitality,' which directly relates to the old man's willingness to open his home and provide for the Levite and his concubine.
1 Timothy 5:10This passage mentions hospitality shown to strangers as a mark of a good reputation, reinforcing the positive character trait displayed by the old man in Judges 19.
clarkeJudges 19:20: "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
All thy wants lie upon me - Here was genuine hospitality: "Keep your bread and wine for yourselves, and your straw and provender for your asses; you may need them before you finish your journey; I will supply all your wants for this night, therefore do not lodge in the street."
bensonJudges 19:20: "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
Jdg 19:20-21 . Let all thy wants lie upon me — It matters not whether thou wantest nothing or every thing; I will take care to supply all thy wants. They washed their feet — As they used to do to travellers in those hot countries.
This old man's greeting isn't just a casual "hello"; the phrase translated as "Peace be with you" is actually an assurance of help, offering complete provision for the traveler's needs. It highlights a profound generosity that goes beyond mere hospitality, aiming to relieve all burdens and anxieties, most urgently ensuring the stranger doesn't have to endure the vulnerability of sleeping outside.
A Levite and his concubine arrive in Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, seeking lodging for the night. After initial hesitation and under pressure from the townspeople, an elderly man from the same region as the Levite graciously invites them to his home, offering them food and shelter and urging them not to sleep in the town square.
A Levite and his concubine arrive in Gibeah, a town belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, seeking lodging for the night. After initial hesitation and under pressure from the townspeople, an elderly man from the same region as the Levite graciously invites them to his home, offering them food and shelter and urging them not to sleep in the town square.
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"And the old man said, “Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants. Only, do not spend the night in the square.”" — This old man's greeting isn't just a casual "hello"; the phrase translated as "Peace be with you" is actually an assurance of help, offering complete provision for the traveler's needs. It highlights…
