And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.
During that time when Israel had no king, there was a Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim who took a concubine (a secondary wife) from Bethlehem in Judah.
This verse introduces a story that takes place during Israel's chaotic period without leadership, focusing on a Levite and his relationship troubles.
📚 Historical Context
In the era of the Judges, Israel was a loose collection of tribes without a centralized king, which often resulted in moral and spiritual chaos as people acted on their own impulses rather than God's law. This verse introduces a Levite, a member of the priestly tribe, who was living in the hill country of Ephraim and took a concubine from Bethlehem, reflecting the social customs and personal arrangements common in that turbulent period. The phrase "when there was no king in Israel" sets the stage for stories that highlight the consequences of societal disorder and the need for divine guidance.
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