Judges 19:9

9 Later, as the man and his concubine and servant were preparing to leave, his father-in-law said, “Look, it’s almost evening. Stay the night and enjoy yourself. Tomorrow you can get up early and be on your way.”

Judges 19:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 19:9

And when the man rose up to depart, he and his concubine, and
his servant
Rose up from table, having comfortably refreshed themselves:

his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, behold, now the
day draweth towards evening;
or is "remiss", or "weak" ^F14; that is, the heat, light, and strength of the sun abated, and became weaker and more remiss, as it does the more it declines, and is nearer setting:

I pray you tarry all night;
suggesting, it was a very improper time to set out in on a journey:

behold, the day groweth to an end;
or "behold, it is the encampment of the day" ^F15, when the day or sun seems to be pitching its tent, and going to rest; or it being the time when an army on the march stops and pitches their tents, in order to continue all night; or when men go to their tents and habitations, and lie down and take their rest:

lodge here, that thine heart may be merry;
and let us have another pleasant evening together, which cannot be had in an inn upon the road; you cannot be comfortable there, as here, and therefore be persuaded to stay, since it is not possible to get home tonight:

and tomorrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home;
to thy city, as the Targum; signifying, that he should not insist upon their staying any longer, and then they might set out on their journey as soon as they pleased.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (hpr) "debilitata est", Pagninus, Vatablus; "remissus est", Junius & Tremellius.
F15 (Mwyh twnh) "castrametatio diei", Drusius.

Judges 19:9 In-Context

7 The man got up to leave, but his father-in-law kept urging him to stay, so he finally gave in and stayed the night.

8 On the morning of the fifth day he was up early again, ready to leave, and again the woman’s father said, “Have something to eat; then you can leave later this afternoon.” So they had another day of feasting.

9 Later, as the man and his concubine and servant were preparing to leave, his father-in-law said, “Look, it’s almost evening. Stay the night and enjoy yourself. Tomorrow you can get up early and be on your way.”

10 But this time the man was determined to leave. So he took his two saddled donkeys and his concubine and headed in the direction of Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).

11 It was late in the day when they neared Jebus, and the man’s servant said to him, “Let’s stop at this Jebusite town and spend the night there.”