A very sad Bible story

One guy, a Levite, meaning a priest of God, dated a concubine a long while after Samson’s death. A concubine would either be a prostitute but largely an illicit cohabitant with men. She cheated on him and fled to her father’s house for 4 months. Her husband took a servant and 2 donkeys and followed her, to bring her back home.

Upon arrival, he was welcomed and his father in law ensured they stayed 3 days, at least. He begged them to stay a day, then 2, and 3, and so on. They ate and drank and partied. One night, he could not be detained anymore, and they left. The next night, tired and hungry, the passed Jerusalem and the servant asked the master if they could rest till the next day. The master convinced him that they pass and rest only in Ramah or Gibeah, which they did.

Without anyone hosting them, they sat on the street ready to sleep there. An old Ephramite man came from working his field and saw them. Though not a Benjamite, he had travelled to Gibeah. After they told their story of travelling from Bethlehem to mount Ephraim, he took them in and fed them.

As they relaxed and ready for sleep, there were men at the door wanting to sodomise the men, sons of Belial, as it happened with Lot’s visiting angels. Like Lot, the man offered his daughter and the guest’s concubine, for the perpetrators to quench their wicked thirst. As they strove to break his door, the host pushed the concubine out. They raped and abused her until the morning.

He took the weak concubine unto his donkey and they travelled till they got home. Judges 19 v 29: ‘And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. v30: And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.'

Japhtah, son of a harlot.

Israel had been worshipping idols again and deep in sin. Even at much praying, God told them to cry out to Baal and other idols for help from their enemies. He then felt pity for them and heard their cry. Now, they needed a leader to take them to war and found none.

Japhtah was a strong man of valour, the son of Gilead but born of a whore. Gilead’s wife’s sons chased him away since he was from a strange woman.

When the sons of Ammon came charging at Israel, they went to him and asked him to be captain. He said, ‘Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house?  and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?’ Judges 11 v7. He demanded to be their King if he won and they were good.

Japhtah made a vow with God, to offer a burnt sacrifice of the first thing that would come of his house when he comes from war, if God him victory. It was so, that God was with him and he subdued the children of Ammon.

As he came home, his only daughter came out singing and dancing. Japhtah was greatly aggrieved and explained to her what had just happened. And she said that he should fulfil his promise but ‘Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.’ Japhtah agreed and in due time sacrificed her as a burnt offering. This guy had guts.

He judged 6 years, after which Ibzan took over. He had 30 sons and 30 daughters and was in for 7 years. Elon judged 10 years, after which Abdon was in for 8 years. He had 40 sons. Think about the vows you make, and once you make them, fulfill them immediately and without fail

A woman can kill you

Gideon had 70 sons besides Abimelech, born of a concubine and of corrupt nature. He went to his maternal uncles and with the help of his mother, convinced them to have him as King rather than the 70 sons of Gideon. He killed all but one of them escaped and Abimelech was made King. Israel had gone back to their corrupt ways. Abimellech’s brother, Jotham who survived the slaughter, was informed of these things and in his disgust and anger told this parable;

Judges 9:8: ‘The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. v9: But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? v10: And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. v11: But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?’

‘v12: Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. v13: And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? v14: Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. v15: And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Jotham was disturbed and questioned if Israel had ‘done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king’ saying ‘For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian.’

Abimelech ruled for three years and killed many people of Shechem. In one of the wars, he pursued his enemies, coming to a high tower, and a woman saw him, dropped a grinding stone that broke his skull and he fell. Judges 9v54: ‘Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.’

After him ruled Tola for 20 years and then Jahir 22 years who had 30 sons. Any problems can kill you, including women. Pray.

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Tsendex's Blog: Mourinho's African Connection