This chapter tells the tragic story of a man from the tribe of Levi and his concubine while they were travelling through the land of Benjamin. It is symbolic of what happens in a society where there is no king. The Levites were the religious leaders of the Jews. But this man seemed more interested in food and drink with his father-in-law. On the way home, they travelled through Benjamin to a city called Gibeah, where a kindly old man took them in. This reminds us of the story of Lot and how he took strangers into his home. He was a remnant of faith.

But the rest of the city was just like Sodom. They brutally raped and murdered the concubine of the Levite traveler. When a similar incident happened in Sodom, the Lord destroyed that city with fire and brimstone. Here the Levite took his dead concubine home, cut up her body and sent them to all 12 tribes of Israel. Those who saw it were horrified and said, “Such a thing has never been seen or done! …We must do something!” The people of Israel were in need of a king!
Application: Father, without you as our King and shepherd, we fall so easily into sin and moral corruption. Send shepherds and Bible teachers who may teach your word and lead young people to Jesus to be their King and Savior.
One Word: Such a thing should not be