שופטים, פרק י״ט, פסוק ט״ז

In a cold and alienated environment where locals shut their doors to travelers despite having plenty of room, the actions of one elderly man stand out as a model of extraordinary hospitality. Several details highlight his remarkable character. Despite his advanced age and his exhaustion from a long day of hard work in the fields [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם], he did not ignore the stranded guests the moment he returned to the city in the evening [מלבי״ם].

His kindness is especially striking because he was merely a sojourner in the city of Gibeah. Originally from the hill country of Ephraim, he had no greater obligation to host strangers than the permanent residents of the town [מלבי״ם], though there was nothing preventing someone from another tribe from living there [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In sharp contrast to this lone outsider, the permanent residents of the place belonged to the tribe of Benjamin [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Identifying their tribal affiliation serves a dual purpose. On a practical level, it clarifies the geography, distinguishing this specific town from another city also named Gibeah. However, another perspective suggests that identifying them as Benjaminites serves as a dark hint about their character, indicating that they were already known as wicked people, a reputation their impending actions would soon confirm [רד״ק].