The old man said, Peace be to you; howsoever let all your wants lie on me; only don't lodge in the street.
      II. How free and generous he was in his invitation. He did not stay till they applied to him to beg for a night's lodging; but when he saw them (Judges 19:17; Judges 19:17) enquired into their circumstances, and anticipated them with his kindness. Thus our good God answers before we call. Note, A charitable disposition expects only opportunity, not importunity, to do good, and will succour upon sight, unsought unto. Hence we read of a bountiful eye,Proverbs 22:9. If Gibeah was like Sodom, this old man was like Lot in Sodom, who sat in the gate to invite strangers, Genesis 19:1. Thus Job opened his doors to the traveller, and would not suffer him to lodge in the street,Job 31:32. Observe, 1. How ready he was to give credit to the Levite's account of himself when he saw no reason at all to question the truth of it. Charity is not apt to distrust, but hopeth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7) and will not make use of Nabal's excuse for his churlishness to David, Many servants now-a-days break away from their masters,1 Samuel 25:10. The Levite, in his account of himself, professed that he was now going to the house of the Lord (Judges 19:18; Judges 19:18), for there he designed to attend, either with a trespass-offering for the sins of his family, or with a peace-offering for the mercies of his family, or both, before he went to his own house. And, if the men of Gibeah had any intimation of his being bound that way, probably they would therefore be disinclined to entertain him. The Samaritans would not receive Christ because his face was towards Jerusalem, Luke 9:53. But for this reason, because he was a Levite and was now going to the house of the Lord, this good old man was the more kind to him. Thus he received a disciples in the name of a disciple, a servant of God for his Master's sake. 2. How free he was to give him entertainment. The Levite was himself provided with all necessaries (Judges 19:19; Judges 19:19), wanted nothing but a lodging, but his generous host would be himself at the charge of his entertainment (Judges 19:20; Judges 19:20): Let all thy wants be upon me; so he brought him into his house,Judges 19:21; Judges 19:21. Thus God will, some way or other, raise up friends for his people and ministers, even when they seem forlorn.