Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 19:4

"And his father-in-law, the damsel`s father, retained him; and he abode with him three days: so they did eat and drink, and lodged there." — Judges 19:4 (ASV)

Retained him. —One motive of the father-in-law would doubtless be to practise the full rights of hospitality, which are in the East so specially sacred; but he probably desired further to win back the Levite’s heart to his erring daughter.