Since we're off tangent my reason for resuscitating the thread which I will repost here is the sacred duty of hospitality was a part of the Lot story in the OP so I was surprised to see it crop up here in Judges:
In Wesley's explanatory notes regarding the famous Judges 19 and 20 passages in the Bible: If you read Wesley's explanatory notes you will see the mention made to this sacred obligation as well as many other illuminating notes on this difficult area of biblical text. Also Bethlehemjudah is mentioned and Mount Ephraim. It seems this could also be a foreshadowing of Christianity.
For those Christians interested read 19 and 20:
http://www.christnotes.org/commentar...m=wes&b=7&c=19
Benjamin is a very interesting tribe because in addition to Benjamin being the little brother of Joseph the land of the Tribe of Benjamin has a unique position in its placement in the land of Israel: its the shoulder between Judah and Ephraim.
(Note: not an argument post. Just an interesting post for theists that like to share the bible. In spite of what atheists think all of our posts aren't regarding atheism since its not a component of our faith. This is the Religion forum after all.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_of_Benjamin
Can't help but think the sacred duty of hospitality is a metaphor for the Jews belief in mitzvot or the practice of a tradition of lovingkindness. When the practice was upset it resulted in spiritual warfare. A major theme throughout the OT is spiritual warfare.
