MPV Commentary

An Old Man Entertains Him at Gibeah.

16 An old man from Mount Ephraim came out of his field in the evening, having finished his work for the day. His hospitality may have been motivated by learning that the stranger was a Levite on his way back to Shiloh and his duties there.

19-20 The Levite assured the old man that he had sufficient provisions to sustain himself and his family for the remainder of their journey. He carried a stock of food, including chopped straw mixed with barley or beans, which was used as provender for their cattle. However, the old man refused to accept this explanation and instead invited them to stay in his house for the night.

20 The old man's concern that they not lodge in the street may have been due to his knowledge of the town's notorious reputation.