Feminist theologians say that the story of the virgin daughter of the elderly man of Gibeah illustrates that concubines were expendable to the men of ancient times when they were no longer needed, or became a liability or threat. Abraham cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) after Sarah bore him a son. David had ten concubines, and when he fled from Absalom, the concubines stayed in his house. Absalom, his son, came to the house and found the women. He pitched a tent on top of the house and raped the helpless concubines in view of all of Israel (2 Samuel 16:21–22). In the story above, the Levite had only one concubine, but the Old Testament mentions many instances of men taking multiple bondwomen and concubines.

In some cases, the women were treated as wives, albeit of inferior standing and lacking the authority of the primary wife. In other situations, such as Solomon's harem, it would have been difficult for a woman to believe she had any wifely value other than sexual, due to the fact that her male provider kept several hundred other women for his pleasure. Granted, Solomon was a king, and had the means to support wives and concubines. It is difficult for many modern women not to judge ancient societies using a modern moral compass. Still, as the point is made about women suffering and sacrificing, it is clear that while some ancient women enjoyed a degree of comfort and security within the households of the men who watched over them, others clearly didn't.