Judges 19:6

Verse

So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.”

American Standard Version (1901)

So they sat down, and did eat and drink, both of them together: and the damsel’s father said unto the man, Be pleased, I pray thee, to tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.

Bible in Basic English

So seating themselves they had food and drink, the two of them together; and the girl's father said to the man, If it is your pleasure, take your rest here tonight, and let your heart be glad.

Free Bible Version

So the two men sat down to eat and drink together. The father said to his son-in law, “Please agree to spend another night here, and you can enjoy yourself!”

Geneva Bible 1599

So they sate downe, and did eate and drinke both of them together. And the yong womans father said vnto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tary all night, and let thine heart be merie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.

Translation for Translators

So the two men sat down to eat and drink together. Then the woman’s father said to him, “Please stay another night. Relax/Rest and have a joyful time.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Then the girl's father said, “Please be willing to spend the night and have a good time.”

Noah Webster Bible

And they sat down, and ate and drank both of them together: for the damsel's father had said to the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thy heart be merry.

World English Bible

So they sat down, ate, and drank, both of them together. Then the young lady’s father said to the man, “Please be pleased to stay all night, and let your heart be merry.”

Young's Literal Translation

And they sit and eat both of them together, and drink, and the father of the young woman saith unto the man, 'Be willing, I pray thee, and lodge all night, and let thy heart be glad.'

Context

The Crime of the Benjamites

⁵On the fourth day, they got up early in the morning and prepared to depart, but the girl’s father said to his son-in-law, “Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and then you can go.”⁶So they sat down and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the girl’s father said to the man, “Please agree to stay overnight and let your heart be merry.”⁷The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night.

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, the Levite and his concubine were traveling through the city of Gibeah, which belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. They intended to spend the night in the city square, but an old man offered them hospitality and urged them not to spend the night in the open square. This act of kindness and hospitality from the old man foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold in the following verses, highlighting the importance of showing kindness and hospitality to strangers in need.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And they sat down,.... Not only sat down upon their seats again, the Levite having rose up in order to go away, but sat down at table: and did eat and drink both of them together; both the Levite and his father-in-law; and it appears by this, and what follows, that the Levite did not take only a short repast, or breakfast with him, but stayed and dined with him, when they ate a plentiful meal, and drank freely after dinner: for the damsel's father had said to the man, be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry; let us spend a pleasant evening together, in drinking freely, though not to excess, in cheerful conversation, and innocent mirth. This he proposed to him, and hoped he would agree to it.