Jdg 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Went down to Timnath - A frontier town of the Philistines, at the beginning of the lands belonging to the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:57; but afterwards given up to Dan, Jos_19:43. David took this place from the Philistines, but they again got possession of it in the reign of Ahaz, 2Ch_28:18.
Samson went down to Timnath - A city which by lot fell to the tribe of Judah , but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, and now in the hands of the Philistines, Jos_15:57. Judah is said to go up to it, because the place where he lived lay below it, Gen_38:13, but Samson is said to go down to it, because he lived above it. The Jews differ about the reconciliation of these two places; some say there were two of this name, the one is a descent, and the other is an ascent; others say there was but one, so situated, that they that came to it on one side ascended, and they that came to it on the other side descended.
and saw a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines -- In the East parents did, and do in many cases still, negotiate the marriage alliances for their sons. During their period of ascendency, the Philistine invaders had settled in the towns; and the intercourse between them and the Israelites was often of such a friendly and familiar character as to issue in matrimonial relations. Moreover, the Philistines were not in the number of the seven devoted nations of Canaan with whom the law forbade them to marry. Deu_7:1-3 When the LORD your God shall bring you into the land where you go to possess it, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and the LORD your God shall deliver them before you, you shall crush them, completely destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter to your son.
As far as Samson's marriage was a common case, it was weak and foolish of him to set his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines. Shall one, not only an Israelite, but a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a worshipper of Dagon? It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise or virtuous, or any way likely to be a help meet for him; but he saw something in her agreeable to his fancy. He that, in the choice of a wife, is only guided by his eye, and governed by his fancy, must afterwards thank himself if he find a Philistine in his arms. Samson's parents did well to dissuade him from yoking himself unequally with unbelievers. It seems that it pleased God to leave Samson to follow his own inclinations, intending to bring out good from his conduct; and his parents consented, because he was bent upon it. However, his example is not recorded for us to do likewise. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what partnership does light have with darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?
Jdg 14:2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
Get her for me - namely, by paying the requisite dowry and gifts to relations. Hence, the frequent mention of parents taking wives for their sons Exo_34:16; Neh_10:30, because the parents of the bridegroom conducted the negotiation, and paid the dowery to the parents of the bride.
Jdg 14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
The uncircumcised Philistines – See 1Sa_14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. It may be that the LORD will work for us. For there is no restraint to the LORD, to save by many or by few. 1Sa_17:26 And David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine and takes away this shame from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? 1Sa_31:4 And Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised ones come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very much afraid. So Saul took a sword and fell on it. for a similar use of the term as one of reproach. Act_11:3 saying, You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them.
Is there never a woman - To marry with any that were not Israelite was contrary to the law Exo_34:16 and lest you take from their daughters for your sons, and their daughters go whoring after their gods and make your sons go whoring after their gods; Deu_7:3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter to your son. But this marriage of Samson was said to be of the Lord, Jdg_14:4; that is, God permitted it, (for in no other sense can we understand the phrase), that it might be a means of bringing about the deliverance of Israel .
For she pleaseth me well - for she is right in my eyes. This is what is supposed to be a sufficient reason to justify either man or woman in their random choice of wife or husband;
For she pleaseth me well - not only his eyes were taken with her beauty or external form, but it was right in his sight, in his judgment, to marry her.
The uncircumcised Philistines – With whom the Israelites were forbidden to marry. For although the Philistines were not Canaanites in their original, yet they were so in their concurrence with them in wickedness, and therefore were liable to the same judgments with them.
Is there never a woman - The aversion of his parents to the marriage was well founded, as such a marriage was not in accordance with the law. It is true that the only marriages expressly prohibited in Exo_34:16 and Deu_7:3-4, are marriages with Canaanitish women; but the reason assigned for this prohibition was equally applicable to marriages with daughters of the Philistines. In fact, the Philistines are reckoned among the Canaanites in Jos_13:3 upon the very same ground.
Jdg 14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
his father and mother knew not that it was of the Lord - That is, God permitted it, that it might be a means of bringing about the deliverance of Israel . His father and mother very properly opposed Samson’s marriage with a Pagan woman, the daughter of the oppressors of his race. But they could not prevail, because it was the secret purpose of God by these means to “seek occasion” against the Philistines; i. e. to make the misconduct of the father of Samson’s wife, which He foresaw, the occasion of destruction to the Philistines.
that He sought an occasion against the Philistines - in this way, by this means; they might know The Lord sought to get an opportunity to be avenged on them for their oppression, and to attempt the deliverance of Israel; but they knew not that it was the will of God that a way should be opened for it by this means.
Jdg 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
A young lion roared against him - Came fiercely out upon him, ready to tear him to pieces. Not a cub, that is expressed by another word, but one more grown
A young lion roared against him - Hebrew, a lion in the pride of his youthful prime. The wild mountain passes of Judah were the lairs of savage beasts; and most or all the "lions" of Scripture occur in that wild country. His rending and killing the shaggy monster, without any weapon in his hand, were accomplished by that superhuman courage and strength which the occasional influences of the Spirit enabled him to put forth. The exertion of which, in such private incidental circumstances, he was gradually trained for the more public work to which he was destined. By enabling him to kill a lion, God let Samson know what he could do in the strength of the Spirit of the Lord, that he might never be afraid to look the greatest difficulties in the face. As Samson could conquer the lion with the strength of the Lord, so can we conquer – resist the devil who comes as a roaring lion seeking to devour us. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Jdg 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
He rent him as he would have rent a kid - Now it is not intimated that he did this by his own natural strength, but by the Spirit of the Lord coming mightily upon him: so that his strength does not appear to be his own, nor to be at his command; his might was, by the will of God, attached to his hair and to his Nazarate.
he had nothing in his hand - not a staff to keep it off, nor a spear, sword, or knife to stab it with: in this Samson was a type of Christ, who has destroyed our adversary the devil, compared to a roaring lion, 1Pe_5:8.
he told not his father or his mother what he had done - when he overtook them, as he quickly did, he said not a word to them of his meeting with a lion and slaying it; though no doubt he had pondered this in his own mind, and considered it as an omen and presage of the advantage he should have over the Philistines his enemies, whom he should as easily overcome as he had that lion, and that without any instrument of war.
Jdg 14:7 And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
And talked with the woman - When he came to Timnath he talked with the girl, and she pleased him. He had only seen her before (Jdg_14:1); but now that his parents had asked for her, he talked with her, and found the first impression that he had received of her fully confirmed.
Jdg 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.
After a time - Probably about one year; as this was the time that generally elapsed between espousing and wedding. The formal dowry and gifts having been given by Samson’s father, an interval elapsed between the betrothal and the wedding, during which the bride lived with her friends. Then came the essential part of the marriage ceremony, namely, the removal of the bride from her father’s house to that of the bridegroom or his father.
A swarm of bees and honey in the carcass - By length of time the flesh had been entirely consumed off the bones, and a swarm of bees had formed their combs within the region of the thorax, nor was it an improper place; nor was the thing unfrequent, if we may credit ancient writers; the carcasses of slain beasts becoming a receptacle for wild bees.
Jdg 14:9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
He told them not - Samson took it (the honey) in his hands, ate some of it as he went, and also gave some to his father and mother to eat, but did not tell them that he had got the honey out of the dead body of the lion; for in that case they would not only have refused to eat it as being unclean, but would have been aware of the fact, which Samson afterwards took as the subject of the riddle that he proposed to the Philistines.
Jdg 14:10 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
Made a feast - This was the wedding-feast, protracted in this instance seven days. It was an essential part of the marriage ceremony Gen_29:22; Est_2:18; Mat_22:2-4; Rev_19:7, Rev_19:9.
Made a feast - Now this marriage of Samson with a daughter of the Philistines was a type of the marriage of Christ with his people, especially with the Gentile church, such as were not of the commonwealth of Israel, but sinners of the Gentiles, very ignorant of divine things, reproached by the Jews, and their calling an offence to them; and may fitly express the love of Christ to his church, though unworthy of it, which is a love of complacency and delight, arising from his own good will and pleasure, and not owing to any superior beauty, excellence, worth, or worthiness in them, they being no better than others. Christ asked his people of his father to be his spouse, which request being obtained, he betrothed them to himself in righteousness; and the Gospel feast, or ministry of the word, is kept and continued on account of it.
Samson made there a feast--The wedding festivity lasted a week. The men and women were probably entertained in separate apartments--the bride, with her female relatives, at her parents' house; Samson, in some place obtained for the occasion, as he was a stranger. A large number of "friends of the bridegroom," furnished, no doubt, by the bride's family, attended his party, ostensibly to honor the nuptials, but really as spies on his proceedings.
Jdg 14:11 And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
they fetched thirty friends - The parents or relations of the bride invited thirty of their friends in Timnath to the marriage feast, as “children of the bride-chamber” since Samson had not brought any with him. Mat_9:15 And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast. From the number of them it may be inferred that Samson’s family was of some wealth and importance.
Jdg 14:12 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:
Give you thirty sheets - linen shirts
Thirty changes of garments - the outward garments
I will now put forth a riddle - Possibly this was one part of the amusements at a marriage-feast; each in his turn proposing a riddle, to be solved by any of the rest on a particular forfeit; the proposer forfeiting, if solved, the same which the company must forfeit if they could not solve it.
Jdg 14:13 But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
put forth thy riddle that we may hear it - not thereby to judge whether they would agree to his proposals, but hereby suggesting that they accepted his terms and conditions.
Jdg 14:14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
Jdg 14:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?
Jdg 14:15 And it came to pass on the fourth day, that they said to the wife of Sampson, Deceive now thy husband, and let him tell thee the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: did ye invite us to do us violence? (Septuagint)
And it came to pass on the seventh day - Not on the seventh day of the feast, for some time before that they applied to his wife, and she pressed him hard to disclose it. The Septuagint reads “on the fourth day.” Some believe the translation of fourth day is certainly right for it appears from Jdg_14:17, that she wept the remainder of the seven days; for which there could have been no time, if they did not threaten her till the seventh. The ESV and NASB translate it as fourth day as well. Yet for them to come on the seventh day is not inconsistent as a final act of desperation.
that he may declare unto us the riddle - that is, persuade him to tell the meaning of it to her, that she might declare it to them:
To take that we have – to possess or impoverish. That is, to strip us of our garments, invited them to the wedding feast, to strip them of their clothes, and even take their very shirts off of their backs, which they must have been obliged to part with, if they could not explain the riddle, or send for other suits and shirts from their own houses:
lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire - In this threat the barbarism and covetousness of the Philistines came openly to light.
Jdg 14:16 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?
And Samson's wife wept before him - When she came to him to get out of him the explanation of the riddle, thinking that her tears would move him to it:
and said, thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not - another artifice she used.
l have not told it my father nor my mother - his parents he was greatly indebted to, for whom he had the highest reverence and esteem, and yet he had not thought fit to impart it to them; how therefore could she expect to be trusted with such a secret, with whom he had not been long acquainted, not long enough to know whether she could keep it or not?
Jdg 14:17 And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people.
Thus his wife wept before him the seven days of the banquet - This statement is not at variance with that in Jdg_14:15, but may be explained very simply in the following manner. The woman had already come to Samson every day with her entreaties from simple curiosity; but Samson resisted them until the seventh day, when she became more urgent than ever, in consequence of this threat on the part of the Philistines.
The seven days - That is, on the residue of the seven days; namely, after the third day.
And she wept before him the seven days, while the feast lasted - Those that remained of the seven days, from the fourth to this time, as some interpret it; though some think she began to beseech him with tears, on the first day of the feast, to impart the secret to her for her own satisfaction; and then, after the men had urged her on the fourth day to persuade her husband to it, she continued pressing him more earnestly with tears unto the seventh day.
Jdg 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
If ye had not ploughed with my heifer - They try to give the answer in a way to make it appear that they had guessed it. Samson saw at once that she had betrayed him. He lets them know in a speech, which was of the nature of a riddle, that he had discovered the treachery.
If ye had not ploughed with my heifer - If my wife had not been unfaithful to my bed, she would not have been unfaithful to my secret; and, you being her paramours, your interest was more precious to her than that of her husband. She has betrayed me through her attachment to you. To plough with one’s heifer, or to plough in another man’s ground, are delicate turns of expression used to point out a wife’s infidelities.
Jdg 14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him - He was inspired with unusual courage, and he felt strength proportioned to his wishes. He was filled with zeal and courage, animating him to the following undertaking, and increased his bodily strength to perform it:
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him - He was obliged to keep his promise (Jdg_14:12). This act showed to the Philistines the superior power of the servants of Jehovah. It was not carnal revenge that had impelled Samson to the deed. It was not till the deed itself was done that his anger was kindled; and even then it was not against the Philistines, to whom he had been obliged to pay or give the thirty garments, but against his wife, who had betrayed his secret to her countrymen, so that he returned to his father's house without his wife.
he went down to Ashkelon - one of the five principal cities of the Philistines; it lay near the Mediterranean sea and, according to some, was twenty four miles from Timnath; why he went so far, is not easy to say
and slew thirty men of them - in vindication of which that Samson was now raised up of God to be judge of Israel ; and that he acted now as such, and under the direction and impulse of the Spirit of God, and the persons he slew were the common enemies of Israel .
his anger was kindled - against his wife, for her treachery and unfaithfulness to him, and against his companions for their deceitful usage of him, and against the citizens of the place, who perhaps laughed at him, being thus tricked and deceived:
he went up to his father's house - left his wife, and her relations, and his companions, and the men of Timnath, and betook himself to his father's house again, as if he had been never married; his parents very probably had returned before him.
Jdg 14:20 But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
Samson's wife was given to his friend – This was the same kind of person who is called the friend of the bridegroom, Joh_3:29, the conductor of the bride; namely, one of the thirty companions (Jdg_14:10), whom Samson had entrusted with this office at the marriage festival. The faithlessness of the Philistines towards the Israelites was no doubt apparent here; for even if Samson went home enraged at the treacherous behavior of his wife, without taking her with him, he did not intend to break the marriage tie, as Jdg_15:1-2 clearly shows. So that instead of looking at the wrong by which Samson felt himself aggrieved, and trying to mitigate his wrath, the parents of the woman made the breach irreparable by giving their daughter as a wife to his companion. The acceptance of her hand, therefore, was an act of base treachery, that could not fail to provoke the just resentment of Samson.
Samson's wife was given to his friend – Perhaps one of those mentioned in Jdg_14:11. The transaction denotes loose notions of the sanctity of marriage among the Philistines. It should be noted carefully that the practical lesson against ungodly marriages comes out most strongly in this case and that the providential purpose which out of this evil brought discomfiture to the Philistines, has nothing to do with the right or wrong of Samson’s conduct.
Samson’s wife was given to his companion - By her father, and with her consent, both being affronted and provoked by Samson leaving her, who judged her not only to be injured, but hereby discharged from him, and free to marry another:
