"... Concern for the welfare of resident aliens, the fatherless, and widows is a recurrent theme in the Bible. As explained in Deuteronomy 1:16 and 10:18, their economic and social disadvantages exposed them to exploitation. This is a universal problem, and concern for the welfare of the fatherless and widows is commonly mentioned in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature and texts about the activities of kings, whose special duty it was to protect them (concern for the alien is not nearly so common outside the Bible). Biblical law requires every Israelite to avoid wronging them and to be concerned with their welfare. Exodus and Leviticus warn against mistreating them economically and judicially, and earlier passages in Deuteronomy have focused on the obligation to include them in the triennial tithe for the poor (14:29), the Sabbath rest (5:14), and the celebration accompanying festivals Their economic needs are addressed again below in verses 19—21. Here the concern is with protecting them from mistreatment in court ... 2 Kings 4 tells how Elisha miraculously enabled a widow to avoid distraint of her children. According to halakhah, no possessions of a widow may be distrained ..."