DISCOVER BIBLE | THE TRAGEDY OF THE CONCUBINE

1. Introduction

a) The Bible is full of wonderful stories and special truth. What we want to do is to discover the Bible.  

b) Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." 

c) Nurture and grow your understanding of the Bible as you read and discover the Bible.  

2. The Tragedy of the Concubine

a) Israel had finally yielded to the vulgarity of the religious scene around them, among the Baal worshipers! Even the practice of homosexual activity had penetrated their lifestyles. At Gibeah the homosexuals are called "Sons of Belial" (Satan) in Judges 19:22. 

Judges 19:22 New King James Version (NKJV) 

²² As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!”

b) In Judges 20:5 we discover the concubine was left dead or dying, her hands on the thresh-hold of the house where the Levite had stayed. The Levite dramatically publicized their atrocity by dismembering the body of the woman and sending pieces to the tribes. 

Judges 20:5 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and surrounded the house at night because of me. They intended to kill me, but instead they ravished my concubine so that she died. 

c) This period of Israel is the story of people who lived without any mourning for sin, no return to Jehovah. They acted in self-will. 40,000 Israelites and 25,000 Benjamites are killed, cities destroyed, the population decimated.

d) What a terrible, lawless period in the Book of Judges!