Period of the Judges (circa 1200-1050 BC)
The Israelites were in a time of tribal confederation, lacking centralized leadership, and often influenced by the surrounding Canaanite culture.
There was no king in Israel, and the tribes were loosely organized, often facing internal strife and external threats from neighboring peoples.
The events occur in the tribal territories of Ephraim and Benjamin, specifically in Gibeah, a city within Benjamin's territory.
Hospitality was a crucial cultural value, yet the events in Gibeah highlight a severe moral decline and lawlessness in Israel during this period.
The Levite
A central figure in the narrative, whose concubine's mistreatment leads to a national crisis.
The Old Man of Gibeah
A hospitable resident of Gibeah who offers shelter to the Levite and his concubine.