Judges 19:4

4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days; so they ate and drank, and he stayed 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 became angry with him, and she went away from him to her father's house at Bethlehem in Judah, and was there some four months.
3 Then her husband set out after her, to speak tenderly to her and bring her back. He had with him his servant and a couple of donkeys. When he reached her father's house, the girl's father saw him and came with joy to meet him.
4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days; so they ate and drank, and he stayed there.
5 On the fourth day they got up early in the morning, and he prepared to go; but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Fortify yourself with a bit of food, and after that you may go."
6 So the two men sat and ate and drank together; and the girl's father said to the man, "Why not spend the night and enjoy yourself?"

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Compare verse 7 and Gk: Heb [they]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.