Hospitality collapses into sexual violence and national outrage

“And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, asses, couple. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be…” The line’s distinctive content terms include both, content, damsel’s. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again.” The line’s distinctive content terms include depart, father, lodged. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart: and the damsel’s father said, Comfort thine heart, I…” Naming Comfort keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel’s father…” The line’s distinctive content terms include father, concubine, damsel’s. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children…” Naming Gibeah and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to…” Naming Benjamin and Gibeah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they turned aside thither, to go in and to lodge in Gibeah: and when he went in, he sat him down in a street of…” Naming Gibeah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he…” Naming Benjamites and Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when he had lifted up his eyes, he saw a wayfaring man in the street of the city: and the old man said, Whither…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto him, We are passing from Beth-lehem-judah toward the side of mount Ephraim; from thence am I: and I…” Naming Beth and Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid…” Naming Yet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.” Naming Peace keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round…” Naming Belial and Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do…” Naming Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with…” The line’s distinctive content terms include concubine, daughter, good. Its relationship to verses 23 and 25 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abused, began, concubine. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her lord was, till…” The line’s distinctive content terms include dawning, door, fell. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include house, concubine, door. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with…” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“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…” Naming Egypt and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.