Judges 19:4

4 Now his father-in-law, the young woman's father, detained him; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there.

Judges 19:4 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 19:4

And his father in law, the damsel's father, retained him
Prevailed upon him to stay some time with him:

and he abode with him three days;
it seems as if he agreed to stay with him so long, and that time he stayed contentedly:

so they did eat and drink, and lodged there;
the Levite and his servant were very handsomely entertained, and had everything provided for them convenient for meat, drink, and lodging.

Judges 19:4 In-Context

2 But his concubine played the harlot against him, and went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there four whole months.
3 Then her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her and bring her back, having his servant and a couple of donkeys with him. So she brought him into her father's house; and when the father of the young woman saw him, he was glad to meet him.
4 Now his father-in-law, the young woman's father, detained him; and he stayed with him three days. So they ate and drank and lodged there.
5 Then it came to pass on the fourth day that they arose early in the morning, and he stood to depart; but the young woman's father said to his son-in-law, "Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way."
6 So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman's father said to the man, "Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry."
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.