Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 19:4
And his father-in-law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
4. retained him ] or laid hold on him to prevent him from going away, cf. Jdg 7:8. The pressing and rather boisterous hospitality of the girl’s father has a tragic significance in view of what follows, hence it is emphasized from the beginning. There is no need to add and brought him in with some mss. of LXX, for the Levite has already entered the house, Jdg 19:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Retained him.One motive of the father-in-law would doubtless be to practise the full rights of hospitality, which are in the East so specially sacred; but he probably desired further to win back the Levites heart to his erring daughter.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him, and he abode with him three days. So they did eat and drink, and lodged there ’
The welcome was a clear sign of friendship and willingness to maintain the contract. He prevailed on him to stay some time with him.
“And he abode with him three days.” Three days (a complete period, for three is the number of completeness) was probably the length of time required for such a welcome if it was to indicate genuine acceptance, and for the Levite to also indicate friendship. Things like this were never done in a hurry. (‘Three days’ could mean he stayed the night, accepted one day’s hospitality as a gesture of friendship and was ready to go on the third day).
“So they did eat and drink, and lodged there.” That is the Levite and his servant. They were very hospitably entertained, and had everything provided for them for their convenience.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
There is somewhat very interesting in family happiness. The Lord hath entwined the heart of man to man. And in the nearer connections of life, the knot is drawn yet closer. But as to all these creature enjoyments, simply as creatures, what the apostle saith should be ever kept in view, “That they that have wives be as though they had none: and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not:” for the transition from the house of joy to that of mourning, is but from one room to another. 1Co 7:29-30 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jdg 19:4 And his father in law, the damsel’s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there.
Ver. 4. Retained him. ] Or, as others render it, Embraced him.
So they did eat and drink.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Gen 25:6 – concubines