Judges 19 - Sickest story in the bible

I'm not sure I'd ever want to do a Bible study on Judges 19, but here are some thoughts that I have about the story:

1. Although there are similarities between it and the story of Lot, his daughters, and the destruction of Soddom and Gomorrah, there are also differences. For example, the Levite mentions that such a thing had not happened since the people had left Egypt (vs 30), a statement not found (nor expected) in the Genesis account.
2. The purpose of the story seems to be that Israel needed a king: "And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel . . ." (vs 1; cf 21:25).

Judges is not my favorite book of the Bible. It seems that a lot of bad things happened to good people--and good things to bad people. Like Joshua, it's probably best not to take it too literally.

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Never overestimate the intelligence of someone who thinks you're wrong.

quote:

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It seems that a lot of bad things happened to good people--and good things to bad people.

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isn't that how life works?

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Yep. I think a lot of people go into the Bible hoping to find examples of good things happening to the good, and bad things happening to the wicked. Judges 19ff isn't one of those places, however, or so it seems.