Judges 14
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Judges 14
Samson Desires a Wife of Timnath
1And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 14
Jud 14:1-5. Samson Desires a Wife of the Philistines.
1-2. Timnath--now Tibna, about three miles from Zorah, his birthplace.
saw a woman ... of the Philistines; and told his father and his mother, and said, ... get her for me to wife--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 [De 7:1-3]--with whom the law forbade them to marry.
CHAPTER 14
Jud 14:1-5. Samson Desires a Wife of the Philistines.
1-2. Timnath--now Tibna, about three miles from Zorah, his birthplace.
saw a woman ... of the Philistines; and told his father and his mother, and said, ... get her for me to wife--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 [De 7:1-3]--with whom the law forbade them to marry.
The Pulpit Commentary
Timnath, or, more correctly, Thimnathah, as in Jos_19:43, a town in the tribe of Dan, the name of which survives in the modern Tibneh, about three miles south-west of Zorah (Jdg_13:2, note). It may or may not be identical with Timnath in Gen_38:12-14, and with Timnah in Jos_15:10. It appears to have been in the possession of the Philistines at this time.
Timnath, or, more correctly, Thimnathah, as in Jos_19:43, a town in the tribe of Dan, the name of which survives in the modern Tibneh, about three miles south-west of Zorah (Jdg_13:2, note). It may or may not be identical with Timnath in Gen_38:12-14, and with Timnah in Jos_15:10. It appears to have been in the possession of the Philistines at this time.
2And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
Get her, etc. Rather, take her. It is the technical phrase
(1) for a man taking a wife for himself, as Gen_4:19; Gen_6:2; 1Sa_25:39, 1Sa_25:43, and 1Sa_25:3, 1Sa_25:8 of this chapter;
(2) for a man's parents taking a wife for him, as Exo_34:16; Neh_10:30. The parents of the bridegroom paid the dowry agreed upon (see Gen_34:12; 1Sa_18:25).
Get her, etc. Rather, take her. It is the technical phrase
(1) for a man taking a wife for himself, as Gen_4:19; Gen_6:2; 1Sa_25:39, 1Sa_25:43, and 1Sa_25:3, 1Sa_25:8 of this chapter;
(2) for a man's parents taking a wife for him, as Exo_34:16; Neh_10:30. The parents of the bridegroom paid the dowry agreed upon (see Gen_34:12; 1Sa_18:25).
3Then 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3-4. Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren--that is, "of thine own tribe"--a Danite woman.
Samson said ... Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well--literally, "she is right in mine eyes"; not by her beautiful countenance or handsome figure, but right or fit for his purpose. And this throws light on the historian's remark in reference to the resistance of his parents: they "knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines"--rather, "from the Philistines"--originating on their side. The Lord, by a course of retributive proceedings, was about to destroy the Philistine power, and the means which He meant to employ was not the forces of a numerous army, as in the case of the preceding judges, but the miraculous prowess of the single-handed champion of Israel. In these circumstances, the provocation to hostilities could only spring out of a private quarrel, and this marriage scheme was doubtless suggested by the secret influence of the Spirit as the best way of accomplishing the intended result.
3-4. Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren--that is, "of thine own tribe"--a Danite woman.
Samson said ... Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well--literally, "she is right in mine eyes"; not by her beautiful countenance or handsome figure, but right or fit for his purpose. And this throws light on the historian's remark in reference to the resistance of his parents: they "knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines"--rather, "from the Philistines"--originating on their side. The Lord, by a course of retributive proceedings, was about to destroy the Philistine power, and the means which He meant to employ was not the forces of a numerous army, as in the case of the preceding judges, but the miraculous prowess of the single-handed champion of Israel. In these circumstances, the provocation to hostilities could only spring out of a private quarrel, and this marriage scheme was doubtless suggested by the secret influence of the Spirit as the best way of accomplishing the intended result.
The Pulpit Commentary
Uncircumcised. Cf. Gen_34:14. A term of reproach here added to deter Samson from the marriage. It is particularly applied to the Philistines (see Jdg_15:18; - 1Sa_17:26, 1Sa_17:36; 1Sa_18:29; 1Sa_31:4; 2Sa_1:20, etc.).
Uncircumcised. Cf. Gen_34:14. A term of reproach here added to deter Samson from the marriage. It is particularly applied to the Philistines (see Jdg_15:18; - 1Sa_17:26, 1Sa_17:36; 1Sa_18:29; 1Sa_31:4; 2Sa_1:20, etc.).
4But 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
It was of or from the Lord. It was the method decreed by God's providence for bringing about a rupture with the Philistines. That he sought. Rather, because he sought. The writer explains the purpose of the providence. It is doubtful whether "he" refers to Samson or to the Lord. Most commentators refer it to Samson; but it is contrary to the whole tenor of Samson's impetuous course, and to all probability, that he should have asked for the Timnathite damsel merely for the sake of quarreling with the Philistines; whereas the statement that Samson s obstinate determination to take a Philistine wife was the means which God's secret purpose had fixed upon for bringing about the eventual overthrow of the Philistine dominion is in exact accordance with other declarations of Holy Scripture (cf. e.g. Exo_7:3, Exo_7:4; Jos_11:20; 1Sa_2:25; 1Ki_12:15; 2Ch_10:15; 2Ch_22:7; 2Ch_25:20). An occasion. The noun only occurs here; but the verb, in its several conjugations, means, to happen at the right time; to bring a person or thing at the right time (Exo_21:13, deliver, A.V.); to be brought at the right time (Pro_12:21, happen, A.V.); to seek the right time for injuring any one (2Ki_5:7, seeketh a quarrel, A.V. ).
It was of or from the Lord. It was the method decreed by God's providence for bringing about a rupture with the Philistines. That he sought. Rather, because he sought. The writer explains the purpose of the providence. It is doubtful whether "he" refers to Samson or to the Lord. Most commentators refer it to Samson; but it is contrary to the whole tenor of Samson's impetuous course, and to all probability, that he should have asked for the Timnathite damsel merely for the sake of quarreling with the Philistines; whereas the statement that Samson s obstinate determination to take a Philistine wife was the means which God's secret purpose had fixed upon for bringing about the eventual overthrow of the Philistine dominion is in exact accordance with other declarations of Holy Scripture (cf. e.g. Exo_7:3, Exo_7:4; Jos_11:20; 1Sa_2:25; 1Ki_12:15; 2Ch_10:15; 2Ch_22:7; 2Ch_25:20). An occasion. The noun only occurs here; but the verb, in its several conjugations, means, to happen at the right time; to bring a person or thing at the right time (Exo_21:13, deliver, A.V.); to be brought at the right time (Pro_12:21, happen, A.V.); to seek the right time for injuring any one (2Ki_5:7, seeketh a quarrel, A.V. ).
Samson Kills a Lion
5Then 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Jud 14:5-9. He Kills a Lion.
5-9. a young lion--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, and by the exertion of which, in such private incidental circumstances, he was gradually trained to confide in them for the more public work to which he was destined.
Jud 14:5-9. He Kills a Lion.
5-9. a young lion--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, and by the exertion of which, in such private incidental circumstances, he was gradually trained to confide in them for the more public work to which he was destined.
The Pulpit Commentary
Went down, showing that Timnath was on lower ground than Zorah; it was in fact in the Shephelah. The vineyards of Timnath. The valley of Sorek (Jdg_16:4), so famous for its vines (Isa_5:2; Jer_2:21), from which it derived its name (Sorek, translated in the above passages the choicest vine, and a noble vine), is thought to have been in the immediate neighbourhood. Probably the whole district under the hills was a succession of vineyards, like the country round Bordeaux. Samson had left the road along which his father and mother were walking, at a pace, perhaps, too slow for his youthful energy, and had plunged into the vineyards. Of a sudden a young lion,—a term designating a lion between the age of a cub and a full-grown lion,—brought there, perhaps, in pursuit of the foxes or jackals, which often had their holes in vineyards (So Jdg_2:15), roared against him.
Went down, showing that Timnath was on lower ground than Zorah; it was in fact in the Shephelah. The vineyards of Timnath. The valley of Sorek (Jdg_16:4), so famous for its vines (Isa_5:2; Jer_2:21), from which it derived its name (Sorek, translated in the above passages the choicest vine, and a noble vine), is thought to have been in the immediate neighbourhood. Probably the whole district under the hills was a succession of vineyards, like the country round Bordeaux. Samson had left the road along which his father and mother were walking, at a pace, perhaps, too slow for his youthful energy, and had plunged into the vineyards. Of a sudden a young lion,—a term designating a lion between the age of a cub and a full-grown lion,—brought there, perhaps, in pursuit of the foxes or jackals, which often had their holes in vineyards (So Jdg_2:15), roared against him.
6And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
The Spirit of the Lord, etc.—as a spirit of dauntless courage and irresistible strength of body. Came mightily. Hebrew, fell upon him, or passed over upon him, as in Jdg_14:19; Jdg_15:14; 1Sa_10:6, 1Sa_10:10; 1Sa_18:10, etc. He rent him, etc. He "had nothing in his hand," no weapon or knife, nor even a stick; but he rent him with as much ease as the kid is rent. The Hebrew has the kid, with the definite article, which is not prefixed unless some particular kid is meant, as in Gen_38:23. Perhaps the kid means the one about to be served, which the cook rends open either before or after it is cooked. Unless some such operation is alluded to, it is not easy to understand what the rending of the kid means. He told not his father, etc. This is mentioned to. explain Gen_38:16; but it shows that Samson had wandered some distance from his parents among the vineyards (see note to Gen_38:5).
Went down, as in Jdg_14:1, where see note.
The Spirit of the Lord, etc.—as a spirit of dauntless courage and irresistible strength of body. Came mightily. Hebrew, fell upon him, or passed over upon him, as in Jdg_14:19; Jdg_15:14; 1Sa_10:6, 1Sa_10:10; 1Sa_18:10, etc. He rent him, etc. He "had nothing in his hand," no weapon or knife, nor even a stick; but he rent him with as much ease as the kid is rent. The Hebrew has the kid, with the definite article, which is not prefixed unless some particular kid is meant, as in Gen_38:23. Perhaps the kid means the one about to be served, which the cook rends open either before or after it is cooked. Unless some such operation is alluded to, it is not easy to understand what the rending of the kid means. He told not his father, etc. This is mentioned to. explain Gen_38:16; but it shows that Samson had wandered some distance from his parents among the vineyards (see note to Gen_38:5).
Went down, as in Jdg_14:1, where see note.
7And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
8And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
He returned to take her. All the preliminaries being settled between the parents, he returned to Timnath to take his bride by the same road which he and his parents had travelled by before, and, remembering his feat in killing the lion, very naturally turned aside to see what had become of the carcase. And, behold, there was a swarm of bees, etc. This has been objected to as improbable, because bees are very dainty, and would not approach a putrefying body. But as a considerable time had elapsed, it is very possible that either the mere skeleton was left, or that the heat of the sun had dried up the body and reduced it to the state of a mummy without decomposition, as is said to happen often in the desert of Arabia.
He returned to take her. All the preliminaries being settled between the parents, he returned to Timnath to take his bride by the same road which he and his parents had travelled by before, and, remembering his feat in killing the lion, very naturally turned aside to see what had become of the carcase. And, behold, there was a swarm of bees, etc. This has been objected to as improbable, because bees are very dainty, and would not approach a putrefying body. But as a considerable time had elapsed, it is very possible that either the mere skeleton was left, or that the heat of the sun had dried up the body and reduced it to the state of a mummy without decomposition, as is said to happen often in the desert of Arabia.
9And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
And … he went on eating, etc. Compare the account of Jonathan finding and eating the wild honey (1Sa_14:25, and following verses).
And … he went on eating, etc. Compare the account of Jonathan finding and eating the wild honey (1Sa_14:25, and following verses).
The Wedding Feast and the Riddle
10So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10-11. his father went down--The father is mentioned as the head and representative of Samson's relatives.
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 paranymphs, or "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.
10-11. his father went down--The father is mentioned as the head and representative of Samson's relatives.
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 paranymphs, or "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.
The Pulpit Commentary
So his father went down. It is not clear what is meant by this mention of his father alone; but it was probably some part of the wedding etiquette that the father should go to the bride first alone; perhaps, as Kimehi says, to give her notice of the bridegroom's approach, that she might get ready. Among the preparations may have been the selection of the thirty young men to be "the children of the bride-chamber'' (Mat_9:15). As these were all Philistines, the inference is that they were selected by the bride, just as with us the bride has the privilege of choosing the minister who is to officiate at the marriage.
So his father went down. It is not clear what is meant by this mention of his father alone; but it was probably some part of the wedding etiquette that the father should go to the bride first alone; perhaps, as Kimehi says, to give her notice of the bridegroom's approach, that she might get ready. Among the preparations may have been the selection of the thirty young men to be "the children of the bride-chamber'' (Mat_9:15). As these were all Philistines, the inference is that they were selected by the bride, just as with us the bride has the privilege of choosing the minister who is to officiate at the marriage.
11And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.
The Pulpit Commentary
When they saw him, i.e. when the father and mother and friends of the bride saw him approaching, they went to meet him with the thirty companions who had been selected. We still see a strong resemblance to the wedding arrangements referred to in Mat_9:15, and Mat_25:1-12; only in this case they were young men instead of young women who went out to meet the bridegroom. We may observe, by the way, that the scale of the wedding feast, as regards numbers and duration, indicates that Samson s family was one of wealth and position.
When they saw him, i.e. when the father and mother and friends of the bride saw him approaching, they went to meet him with the thirty companions who had been selected. We still see a strong resemblance to the wedding arrangements referred to in Mat_9:15, and Mat_25:1-12; only in this case they were young men instead of young women who went out to meet the bridegroom. We may observe, by the way, that the scale of the wedding feast, as regards numbers and duration, indicates that Samson s family was one of wealth and position.
12And 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:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle.
12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain attempts to unravel the enigma. The festive week was fast drawing to a close when they secretly enlisted the services of the newly married wife, who having got the secret, revealed it to her friends.
Jud 14:12-18. His Riddle.
12-18. I will now put forth a riddle--Riddles are a favorite Oriental amusement at festive entertainments of this nature, and rewards are offered to those who give the solution. Samson's riddle related to honey in the lion's carcass. The prize he offered was thirty sindinim, or shirts, and thirty changes of garments, probably woolen. Three days were passed in vain attempts to unravel the enigma. The festive week was fast drawing to a close when they secretly enlisted the services of the newly married wife, who having got the secret, revealed it to her friends.
The Pulpit Commentary
Riddle. The Hebrew word is the same as that which is rendered hard questions in 1Ki_10:1, and dark questions, Num_12:8, and occurs also in Eze_17:2, where the phrase is the same as here and in Eze_17:16, as if we should say in English, I will riddle you a riddle. In English, however, to riddle, as a verb active, means to solve a riddle, not, as in Hebrew, to propound one. The derivation of the Hebrew word and of the English is the same as regards the sense—something intricate and twisted. Thirty sheets, or rather, as in the margin, shirts, a linen garment worn next the skin. In Isa_3:23 spoken of the women's garment, "the fine linen," A.V; as also Pro_31:24. The word (sadin, Sanscrit sindu) means Indian linen. Change of garments—the outward garment of the Orientalist, which was part of the wealth of the rich and great, and was, and is to the present day, one of the most frequent presents on all state occasions (see Gen_45:22; 2Ki_5:5, 2Ki_5:22; Isa_3:6, Isa_3:7; Mat_6:19, etc.).
Riddle. The Hebrew word is the same as that which is rendered hard questions in 1Ki_10:1, and dark questions, Num_12:8, and occurs also in Eze_17:2, where the phrase is the same as here and in Eze_17:16, as if we should say in English, I will riddle you a riddle. In English, however, to riddle, as a verb active, means to solve a riddle, not, as in Hebrew, to propound one. The derivation of the Hebrew word and of the English is the same as regards the sense—something intricate and twisted. Thirty sheets, or rather, as in the margin, shirts, a linen garment worn next the skin. In Isa_3:23 spoken of the women's garment, "the fine linen," A.V; as also Pro_31:24. The word (sadin, Sanscrit sindu) means Indian linen. Change of garments—the outward garment of the Orientalist, which was part of the wealth of the rich and great, and was, and is to the present day, one of the most frequent presents on all state occasions (see Gen_45:22; 2Ki_5:5, 2Ki_5:22; Isa_3:6, Isa_3:7; Mat_6:19, etc.).
13But 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.
14And 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.
The Riddle Betrayed
15And 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?
The Pulpit Commentary
On the seventh day. There is some apparent difficulty in understanding how to reconcile this statement with what was said in Jdg_14:14, that they could not in three days expound the riddle; and also with what is said in Jdg_14:16 and Jdg_14:17, that Samson's wife wept before him the seven days of the feast. And several different readings have arisen from this difficulty: viz; in this verse, the reading of the fourth day for the seventh, and the omission of the words, And it came to pass on the seventh day; and, in the latter part of Jdg_14:14, seven days for three days. But all difficulty will disappear if we bear in mind the peculiarity of Hebrew narrative noticed in note to section Jdg_14:1-6 of Jdg_2:1-23; when we come to consider Jdg_2:16. Entice thy husband. Cf. Jdg_16:5. That he may declare unto us. If the text is sound, they must mean to say, declare it unto you, that you may declare it unto us, i.e. declare it unto us through you. But it is simpler either to read with the Septuagint, that he may declare unto you, etc; or to read, and declare unto us, in the imperative mood. Burn with fire. See Jdg_12:1, and Jdg_15:6. Have ye called us, etc; i.e. Did you invite us to this feast in order to impoverish us, to plunder us of our property? We shall conclude that you did so if you do not disclose to us the riddle.
On the seventh day. There is some apparent difficulty in understanding how to reconcile this statement with what was said in Jdg_14:14, that they could not in three days expound the riddle; and also with what is said in Jdg_14:16 and Jdg_14:17, that Samson's wife wept before him the seven days of the feast. And several different readings have arisen from this difficulty: viz; in this verse, the reading of the fourth day for the seventh, and the omission of the words, And it came to pass on the seventh day; and, in the latter part of Jdg_14:14, seven days for three days. But all difficulty will disappear if we bear in mind the peculiarity of Hebrew narrative noticed in note to section Jdg_14:1-6 of Jdg_2:1-23; when we come to consider Jdg_2:16. Entice thy husband. Cf. Jdg_16:5. That he may declare unto us. If the text is sound, they must mean to say, declare it unto you, that you may declare it unto us, i.e. declare it unto us through you. But it is simpler either to read with the Septuagint, that he may declare unto you, etc; or to read, and declare unto us, in the imperative mood. Burn with fire. See Jdg_12:1, and Jdg_15:6. Have ye called us, etc; i.e. Did you invite us to this feast in order to impoverish us, to plunder us of our property? We shall conclude that you did so if you do not disclose to us the riddle.
16And 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?
The Pulpit Commentary
And Samson's wife, etc. This statement does not follow Jdg_14:15, but is a parallel narrative to that beginning in Jdg_14:14, "And they could not in three days," etc; down to the end of Jdg_14:15, bringing the story down to the same point of time, viz; the seventh day. One stream of the narrative tells us what the young men did when Samson had propounded his riddle; the other tells us what Samson's wife did. From the very first, no doubt, she had wished to be in the secret, not perhaps from treacherous motives, but from curiosity, and the natural desire to be in her husband's confidence, and she pressed her request with cajolery and petulance. The young men at the same time had tried to find out the riddle by fair means. But on the seventh day they threatened to burn her and her father unless she found out the riddle for them, and under the terror of this threat she extracted the secret from Samson and divulged it to the Philistine young men. The only difficulty is to explain why a gap of four days occurs in the account between Jdg_14:14 and Jdg_14:15. The most likely thing is, that after three days' vain attempt to find out the riddle, they began to tamper with Samson's wife, offering her money, as the Philistine lords did to Delilah (Jdg_16:5), though the narrative does not mention it; but that on the seventh day, becoming desperate, and thinking that the woman was not doing her best, they resorted to the dreadful threat of burning her.
And Samson's wife, etc. This statement does not follow Jdg_14:15, but is a parallel narrative to that beginning in Jdg_14:14, "And they could not in three days," etc; down to the end of Jdg_14:15, bringing the story down to the same point of time, viz; the seventh day. One stream of the narrative tells us what the young men did when Samson had propounded his riddle; the other tells us what Samson's wife did. From the very first, no doubt, she had wished to be in the secret, not perhaps from treacherous motives, but from curiosity, and the natural desire to be in her husband's confidence, and she pressed her request with cajolery and petulance. The young men at the same time had tried to find out the riddle by fair means. But on the seventh day they threatened to burn her and her father unless she found out the riddle for them, and under the terror of this threat she extracted the secret from Samson and divulged it to the Philistine young men. The only difficulty is to explain why a gap of four days occurs in the account between Jdg_14:14 and Jdg_14:15. The most likely thing is, that after three days' vain attempt to find out the riddle, they began to tamper with Samson's wife, offering her money, as the Philistine lords did to Delilah (Jdg_16:5), though the narrative does not mention it; but that on the seventh day, becoming desperate, and thinking that the woman was not doing her best, they resorted to the dreadful threat of burning her.
17And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
She lay sore upon him. In Jdg_16:16 the same word is rendered pressed him. It came to pass on the seventh day. This is the confluence of the two streams of narrative.
She lay sore upon him. In Jdg_16:16 the same word is rendered pressed him. It came to pass on the seventh day. This is the confluence of the two streams of narrative.
18And 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
The men of the city—the same as were spoken of in Jdg_14:11 as Samson's companions. Before the sun went down—just in time, therefore, to save the wager, as defined in Jdg_14:12. This is the uncommon word for the sun used also in Jdg_8:13, where see note. What is sweeter, etc. They put their answer in a form to make it seem as if they had guessed the riddle; but Samson instantly perceived his wife's treachery, and showed that he did so by quoting the proverb of plowing with another person s heifer. They had not used their own wit to find out the riddle, but had learnt the secret at Samson's cost, through his wife. He insinuates that had they acted fairly he would have won the wager.
The men of the city—the same as were spoken of in Jdg_14:11 as Samson's companions. Before the sun went down—just in time, therefore, to save the wager, as defined in Jdg_14:12. This is the uncommon word for the sun used also in Jdg_8:13, where see note. What is sweeter, etc. They put their answer in a form to make it seem as if they had guessed the riddle; but Samson instantly perceived his wife's treachery, and showed that he did so by quoting the proverb of plowing with another person s heifer. They had not used their own wit to find out the riddle, but had learnt the secret at Samson's cost, through his wife. He insinuates that had they acted fairly he would have won the wager.
Samson's Vengeance
19And 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19-20. went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them--This town was about twenty-four miles west by southwest from Timnah; and his selection of this place, which was dictated by the Divine Spirit, was probably owing to its bitter hostility to Israel.
took their spoil--The custom of stripping a slain enemy was unknown in Hebrew warfare.
19-20. went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them--This town was about twenty-four miles west by southwest from Timnah; and his selection of this place, which was dictated by the Divine Spirit, was probably owing to its bitter hostility to Israel.
took their spoil--The custom of stripping a slain enemy was unknown in Hebrew warfare.
The Pulpit Commentary
The Spirit of the Lord, etc.—as in Jdg_14:6 and Jdg_13:25, where see notes. The verb here, came upon him, is the same as in Jdg_13:6. Thirty men—the number of the companions to whom he felt bound to pay the thirty changes of garment. Ashkelon (Jdg_1:18)—one of the five Philistine cities, but the least often mentioned, owing, it is thought, to its remote situation "on the extreme edge of the shore of the Mediterranean, far down in the south." It still preserves its ancient name, and was famous in the time of the Crusaders. "Within the walls and towers now standing Richard (Coeur de Lion) held his court." The onion called eschalot, or shallot, is named from Eshkalon, or Ashkalon. Their spoil—that which was stripped from them. His anger was kindled—against the Philistines in general, and his wife in particular, so that he went back to his father s house without her.
The Spirit of the Lord, etc.—as in Jdg_14:6 and Jdg_13:25, where see notes. The verb here, came upon him, is the same as in Jdg_13:6. Thirty men—the number of the companions to whom he felt bound to pay the thirty changes of garment. Ashkelon (Jdg_1:18)—one of the five Philistine cities, but the least often mentioned, owing, it is thought, to its remote situation "on the extreme edge of the shore of the Mediterranean, far down in the south." It still preserves its ancient name, and was famous in the time of the Crusaders. "Within the walls and towers now standing Richard (Coeur de Lion) held his court." The onion called eschalot, or shallot, is named from Eshkalon, or Ashkalon. Their spoil—that which was stripped from them. His anger was kindled—against the Philistines in general, and his wife in particular, so that he went back to his father s house without her.
20But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.
The Pulpit Commentary
His companion—no doubt his "best man," the "friend of the bridegroom." The parents of the Thimnathite, having no doubt obtained Samson's dower, and supposing him to have finally broken with his treacherous wife, proceeded to give her in marriage to the Philistine young man who had been Samson's friend—perhaps the man to whom she had told the riddle. The sad end of this unhappy alliance fully justified the opposition of Samson's parents to it in Jdg_14:3.
His companion—no doubt his "best man," the "friend of the bridegroom." The parents of the Thimnathite, having no doubt obtained Samson's dower, and supposing him to have finally broken with his treacherous wife, proceeded to give her in marriage to the Philistine young man who had been Samson's friend—perhaps the man to whom she had told the riddle. The sad end of this unhappy alliance fully justified the opposition of Samson's parents to it in Jdg_14:3.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Judges
Chapter 14
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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