Juízes 14
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Juízes 14
Guzik has an interesting note - This seemed to be a case of “love at first sight” for Samson. He saw this woman and he instantly wanted to marry her.. She pleases me well is literally, “she is right in my eyes.” What Samson really cared about was how things looked to himself, not how they looked to the LORD. Love at first sight is a powerful, but dangerous thing. It is entirely possible for us to fall in love with someone that we have no business falling in love with—which was exactly the case with Samson here. As well, love at first sight feels wonderful, but doesn’t last in its initial form forever. We can be attracted more to the feeling of love itself than the person we focus upon—whom we don’t really know at first sight. (Judges 14) Samson willfully disregarded loyalty to Yahweh and sought a pagan wife. The presence of Philistines at Timnah reveals their occupation of Israelite territory. Philistine rule was more subtle and peaceful than the other periods of oppression, since Samson and presumably others were free to intermarry with the Philistines. Even the tribe of Judah was content to let the Philistines control them, a sign that a fairly normal life was possible (15:11). Three things were wrong about Samson's relationship: 1) It is evident from this paragraph that he really cared nothing for this girl as a person. He simply saw her and wanted her. She was an object to be used, to be possessed. There was no recognition that she was a person with needs, a person of worth and value. This is "impulse" buying at its worst! 2) The Old Testament scriptures, which Samson possessed, were very clear about God's prohibition of intermarriage between the Israelites and surrounding pagan nations (ED: BUT SEE MACARTHUR'S NOTE BELOW). This provision stemmed from God's love. He knew that if they married into these idolatrous peoples the nation of Israel itself would become idolatrous. Heathen wives would pollute the households with their idols. And God knew that wives chosen out of these nations would be miserable as well. To be unequally yoked in this way would result in a relationship which would chafe both parties. So because he loved his people, and because he loved the world, God had commanded that they were not to intermarry with unbelievers. But Samson cared nothing for this. He saw the girl and he wanted her. 3) He disobeyed his parents. Again, the Scriptures which Samson had were very clear. Children were to obey their parents so that they might live long in the land which the Lord had given to them. God never stuttered at that point. That was Standard Operating Procedure. It is clear that these parents were interposed by God between this girl and their son in order to save Samson from a disaster. But he would not listen; he disobeyed. He insisted on having his own way. So he said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well." His passions reigned. This was the area of his life which ultimately brought him to defeat, because he would not deal with it. All of this wonderful heritage the grown Samson despised! Instead of putting himself in God’s hands to accomplish his God-given task, he chose to live to please himself. How tragic it is when God gives a young person a wonderful heritage and a great opportunity, and he or she treats it lightly. What a name Samson had been given -- "sunlight, sun-like, sunny". Samson is a sobering reminder that great abilities or potential do not necessarily equate with great great faith, specifically faith that shows itself in obedience (see related discussion - Obedience of faith). Samson had a miraculous birth, godly parents, a life-long Nazarite vow and special ministry by the Spirit. God had given the Spirit to Samson in an unparalleled way, so that whenever Samson stood in need of physical strength, it was unreservedly supplied to him. As Paul pointed out, one can “speak with the tongues of men and of angels” yet live a life of loveless emptiness (1Co 13:1+). Let us not just read about Samson, but learn from Samson! We can be in the Bible (even daily) and yet not allow the Bible in our heart and mind and soul (allowing it to transform [2Co 3:18+] and empower us to live a life of "strong faith," faith that enables us to resist the powerful temptations to sin and faith that enables us to obey, even when it is costly! THOUGHT - Believers today can live like Samson, failing to exert self discipline and refusing to wholeheartedly commit to the Lord Jesus Christ (cf Dt 10:12-13+, Micah 6:8+, Mk 12:30-31). The result? Just like Samson, even though blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ep 1:3) and having been granted by our Lord Jesus Christ everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Pe 1:3), they fail to live up to their potential in Christ, in fact falling far short of what God had designed (Ep 2:10) and desired for them as men and women redeemed out of bondage by the blood of Christ. And so Samson's story makes for painful reading to most all saints, as we tend to see various aspects of our failings brought out by his glaring failures. God used 15% of the book of Judges (96/618v) to portray the warning of Samson's life to all saints of all ages! And so we wince as we read Samson's story. Let us read and heed though (1Co 10:6,11,12) not deluded into thinking that this could never happen to us! Samson may well have been the strongest man who ever lived but sadly he proved one of the weakest when it came to self control Proverbs 16:32; He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 19:11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. These were sad times and needed a godly judge to deliver Israel. The priesthood was corrupt under Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas who were "worthless men" (1Sa 2:12 where the literal Hebrew reads "sons of Belial"!) and profaned the offerings ("despised the offering of the LORD" 1Sa 2:17). Scripture sums up these times in [1Sa 3:1] -- "word from the LORD was rare in those days… " Warren
Juízes 14
Guzik - Judges 14) See [Ge 34:4]. As the head of the family, the father exercised authority in all matters, often including the choice of wives for his sons (12:9; Ge 24:3-9; Ne 10:30). As we study Samson's heart and his choices we would do well to pay heed to what the modern day prophet A W Tozer once said "In every Christian’s heart there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility. THOUGHT - A principle that is found throughout Scripture can be expressed this way: If there is any area in our life where we are resisting the Lordship of Christ, and if we continue to resist, then we will discover that, in other areas also, our life will begin to fall under the dominion of the flesh. If God is speaking to you, for instance, about a resentful spirit, or an unforgiving heart, or lustful thoughts, or whatever, and if you are unwilling to deal with that, then you will find yourself falling back into sins that you felt had long since been vanquished in your life, slipping back into habits from which you have been delivered for years. Perhaps your old jealous spirit returns, or your former bad temper comes back, and, whereas once you had complete control in this area, now you find that you've lost control. Samson's life is a clear illustration of this principle. Old Testament people are so fascinating because they show us, in such a realistic way, the principles laid out in the New Testament. Gary Inrig on get her for me - With that statement, Samson’s parents’ world wobbled on its axis. They knew all about his miraculous birth and God’s calling on his life, and probably they had been praying about the way he would “begin to deliver Israel,” as God had declared he would. Now this very son, the “deliverer of his people,” was intending to follow a course of action that God clearly prohibited. There was to be no intermarriage with the Canaanites (Deut 7:3, 4). This marriage, therefore, represented not only a betrayal of his calling but also direct disobedience to God Himself. (borrow Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay or see his Journey Through Judges a 50 part series) Ray Pritchard - Notice carefully what the text says. “Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman.” (1) When he returned home, he told his parents, “I have seen a Philistine woman.” (2) After his father objects, he says, “Go get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (3) Literally, the phrase in verse 3 reads, “She is right in my eyes.” The Bible is telling us something crucial about Samson. He is a man motivated purely by physical appearance. He saw this young woman, she looked good, and now he wants her for his wife. That’s all there is to it. In fact, it doesn’t seem like he even bothered to meet her. But why should that surprise us? Samson is a red-blooded young man. His hormones are boiling within him like steam inside a pressure cooker. He’s away from home, away from his parents, away from his family and away from his spiritual heritage. He sees some hot young Philistine fox and she turns him on. Why not marry her? The only problem is, he doesn’t know her at all. He doesn’t know her name or who her parents are. He doesn’t know if she can cook or keep house. He doesn’t know if she has any brothers or sisters or whether she is musical or mean or mousy or messy. He doesn’t know if she wants a career or children or both. All he sees is this beautiful babe in front of him. The rest of it doesn’t matter to Samson. Samson was looking in the wrong place for the wrong thing for the wrong reason. And he found it! But that shouldn’t surprise us either. In life, you get what you pay for and Samson is investing in all the wrong places.(Out of Control)(Bolding added) Guzik has some excellent points of application regarding Samson's poor choice for a wife - The command to the Israelis to not intermarry with the pagan nations around them applies to the Christian today in that a Christian must not marry someone who is not a Christian, joining themselves together with an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14). It isn’t because those who are not Christians are not lovable—they are sometimes more lovable than believers. It is not because they aren’t good enough, or worthy of our love, or that they are somehow inherently incapable of being a good marriage partner. It is simply because to be a Christian means Jesus Christ is the most important thing in your life; and when a Christian and a non-Christian get together, you have two people who disagree on the most important things in life. By extension, a Christian should never date a non-Christian. Those who do run a serious risk of falling in love with someone they have no business falling in love with. Additionally, a Christian is advised to carefully discern the Christian commitment of the one they are interested in. There have been many pretended conversions, calculated to merely entice a Christian to marriage. If someone goes against God’s plan and marries an unbeliever or if someone becomes a Christian before their spouse, there are specific commands applying to their situation. The Apostle Paul clearly wrote that this one must do all that is possible to stay in the marriage, and be the best spouse they can be (1 Corinthians 7:10–16). George Bush (recommended resource) Get her for me to wife. That is, take measures for that purpose; endeavor to bring it about. No part of the Scripture has afforded more occasion for the doubts of sceptics, or the scoffs of infidels, than the history of Samson. His character is indeed dark, and almost inexplicable. By none of the judges of Israel did God work so many miracles, and yet by none were so many faults committed. He is enrolled by Paul in the list of ancient worthies, in the eleventh of Hebrews, which affords a strong presumption, though not, we conceive, a positive proof, of his being a truly pious man. It must be recollected, however, that his history is very short, and that the peculiarity of the dispensation under which he lived, may account for many things, which, if done at this time and without the special appointment of Heaven, would be highly criminal. Besides, there may have been in him many exercises of true piety, which, if recorded, would have reflected a different light upon his character. In the present instance, it must be admitted that his conduct in suffering his affections to be ensnared by a Philistine woman, had an ill appearance. Marriage connexions with the Philistines, who were not of the devoted nations, were not indeed prohibited to the Israelites by the letter of the law, though by its spirit they undoubtedly were. The danger of being enticed to idolatry was the reason of the law as it respected alliances with the Canaanites, and this reason we cannot but suppose was equally applicable to connexions with the Philistines. Still the law was merely ceremonial, and if God saw fit to dispense with it in regard to any of his servants, he could do so unimpeached. That this was the case in the present instance, there are strong grounds from the actual event to believe. At least, we do not feel at liberty, from a view of the facts recorded, to pronounce positively a sentence of condemnation on this part of Samson’s conduct. But whatever judgment we may form of the measure on the whole, his mode of procedure was in one respect highly deserving of commendation. He took no step towards forming the connexion, not even so much as paying his addresses to her, without first making his parents acquainted with the matter, and obtaining their consent. In his example we read an admonition that addresses itself to all children in similar circumstances. Next to the sanction of heaven, the concurrence of parents is requisite to render that relation a source of comfort and happiness to the parties concerned. Consulting them is consulting our own welfare, as well as acting up to the spirit of the divine injunction in the fifth commandment. Dave Roper writes:In Old Testament symbolism the Philistines represent the flesh in our life. They were related to Egypt which symbolizes the world. As the flesh they constitute the enemy of the Spirit of God. The flesh is that principle of evil which gained entrance into man at the fall of Adam and Eve. It is responsible for our tendency to go our own way and to try to live our lives independently of God. It is an alien intruder; it has no right to reside in our life. And yet it has taken up residence there and is constantly at war there with the Spirit of God. Paul says in Galatians 5 that the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, to keep you from doing what you would. So these Philistines, as we see them in this book, will be portraying the activity of the flesh in our life. The story continues with the angel of Jehovah, the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus, who appears to Samson's mother before Samson is born. He promises that Samson will deliver Israel, at least partially. Two very interesting things emerge from their conversation. One is that Samson was to be a Nazirite from his birth. We need to distinguish between a Nazirite and a Nazarene. A Nazarene is someone who lives in the vicinity of the town of Nazareth. Jesus was a Nazarene, but he was not a Nazirite. A Nazirite was a person who took a vow of separation for service to God. There was a provision under the Mosaic covenant by which a Jew could vow to set himself apart for a period of time in order to accomplish some particular purpose. The word comes from the Hebrew verb "nazar," which means to separate, to cut off. There were three conditions a Nazirite had to observe: 1) He could not touch a dead body of any kind. 2) He was not allowed to drink wine or strong drink, or even to have any contact with the fruit of the vine. 3) He was to let his hair grow long. That sounds very contemporary. These Old Testament provisions, again, are symbolic snapshots of things which are true of our life today. A Nazirite in the Old Testament symbolizes sanctification. In the New, "sanctified" means "set apart for a particular purpose." Those of us who know Jesus Christ as Lord are said to be sanctified, to be set apart to serve him. And the same three conditions obtained under the Nazirite vow are true for us in the spiritual realm: 1) We are not to touch anything dead, either. We are to have nothing to do with the old life. Paul says, "You have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Col 3:3) We are not to go back and attempt to resurrect the old life, the flesh which has been crucified with Christ, and try to live out of that resource. We have a new life, a resurrection life, which Paul says is life indeed. 2) We are not to attempt to derive our joy in life, and our sense of well-being, from wine or any other natural source, but rather, from the Spirit of God. 3) The provision regarding long hair is very interesting. In the Scriptures long hair is said to be a shameful thing for a man. It is a sign of weakness. This refers, of course, to excessively long hair--longer than the accepted length for women at any particular time. It is a relative judgment, depending upon culture. I'm not against long hair; I just wish mine would grow at all. But excessively long hair is a sign of weakness. A Nazirite would put himself under that condition in order to indicate his weakness, because his strength would grow out of that weakness. The same is true for us. The Scriptures say that where we are weak that is where we are strong. If we sense our need for dependence upon another resource, if we are not counting upon our own credentials, our own strength, our own abilities--that is proper recognition of our weakness. It is in weakness that we discover our strength in our indwelling Lord. So, just as a Nazirite was to fulfill these three conditions of separation, so we as sanctified individuals set apart for the particular purpose of serving the Lord, are to operate on the basis of these same three conditions. It is interesting that Samson was called to be a Nazirite from his birth, which was unusual. Ordinarily a person would take this vow later on in life, generally for only a short term. But Samson was to be one from his birth. We, as well, are Nazirites from our birth, our new birth. From the time we are born into God's family these conditions become applicable to us. The second thing of interest is the statement by the angel of the Lord that Samson "will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines." "He will begin to deliver … " As we go through the story we will discover that in reality he never did deliver them, because he never delivered himself. There was frequent partial victory, but never a complete victory and final, total domination of the enemy, because he could never deal with one particular area in his life--at least, he never would deal with it. So he only began to deliver Israel. (Judges 13-16 Samson and Delilah - Dave Roper) DISCIPLINE - Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well" (Judges 14:3). Failure to exercise self-discipline can ruin a person's health and happiness. A girl I know will probably die young if she doesn't control her eating habits. And I'm acquainted with a young man who is destroying himself because he never learned self-discipline. He grew up in a wealthy family and inherited a position that pays a high salary, but he is on the brink of financial disaster because of his drinking and gambling. Lack of self-discipline caused Samson to make the mistakes that led to his capture by the Philistines, who put out his eyes and forced him to work like an animal. His downfall began when he wanted to marry a heathen girl and wouldn't listen to the objections of his parents. His demand, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well," set the pattern of self-indulgence that ruined his life. Self-indulgence guarantees failure; self-discipline assures victory. Discipline yourself so others won't have to. Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said to him, "Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she looks good to me." woman among the daughters of your relatives: Ge 13:8 Ge 21:3,4,27 uncircumcised Philistines: Jdg 15:18 Ge 34:14 Ex 34:12-16 De 7:2,3 1Sa 14:6 17:26,36 31:4 2Sa 1:20 Judges 14 Resources Related Passages: See above Joshua 13:3 (PHILISTINES ARE CONSIDERED "CANAANITES"!) From the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines: the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; and the Avvite REJECTION OF GODLY COUNSEL Then his father and his mother said to him, "Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised (arel; Lxx - aperitmetos) Philistines?" The word uncircumcised (arel) should have jolted Samson for he (surely) knew that circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, the sign that Israel was to be separate from the pagan world! "Circumcision was not a surgical procedure so much as a spiritual symbol (ED: See circumcision of the heart - Jer 9:26)." (Inrig) Being uncircumcised appears as a cause for disdain or derision several times in Scripture & is used as a term of reproach in the following verses (15:18; 1Sa14:6; 17:26, 36; 18:25; 31:4; 2Sa1:20; 1Ch10:4, Ac11:3) and the Philistines appear to be the one pagan tribe that refused circumcision. Note that the very enemy that Samson had been raised up to deliver Israel from was now one he was fraternizing with! Samson himself later used “uncircumcised” as an epithet for the pagan Philistines (15:18; cf. 2Sa1:20). "If I want to do it, I am going to do it." -- Gary Inrig on Samson's life principle While this is the only mention of the exact phrase uncircumcised (arel) Philistines, the idea of uncircumcised (arel) is repeated in the days of Israel's kings - Jdg 15:18; 1Sa 14:6; 1Sa 17:26, 36; 1Sa 31:4; 2Sa 1:20; 1Chr 10:4. THOUGHT - Don't let your strong-willed child break down your Biblical convictions for what is best for their life! Don't give in! Don't capitulate! But Samson said to his father, "Get (a command) her for me, for she looks good to me - Samson does not even say "At least let me pray about it!" He just barks out a command to Get her for me." Literally the Hebrew reads ''For she is right in my eyes''. The Septuagint can be translated "is pleasing or satisfies my eyes". So first he rejects God's ordained parenteral authority (children obey your parents) and secondly he shows us he is driven and dominated by his fallen flesh, not at all controlled by the Spirit Who had begun to "stir in him" (Jdg 13:25+)! The statement about his eyes is almost identical to the expression in Jdg 17:6+ and Jdg 21:25+ which says “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (SAME PHRASE AS SAMSON!).” Samson who should have been transforming the Israelite society as a Spirit empowered judge was actually conforming to the undisciplined life-style of his age. Note the striking contrast of being right in his own eyes with what God truly desires Deuteronomy 6:18+ “You shall do what is right and good in the sight (eyes) of the LORD, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers, Deuteronomy 12:25+ “You shall not eat it, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you, for you will be doing what is right in the sight (eyes) of the LORD. The great battleground of our time is the battleground of authority. -- Gary Inrig Samson's reply to his father's plea speaks volumes about the character of the man. As nothing else could, that simple sentence epitomizes Samson's heart. (cp Mt 12:34) Furthermore it appears Samson had not even met her but chose her based on her physical appearance. How ironic it would be -- his seeing a woman who looked good to him, when those very eyes would be put out because of the betrayal of another eye-pleasing woman! God is surely not mocked and when Samson sowed to his flesh he was sowing the seeds of corruption (Ga6:7,8). His emphatic reply might be paraphrased, “She’s the one I want and that’s it!” Samson’s words revealed his self-centered attitude. Instead of seeking to serve God, he was seeking to please himself. Samson’s comment here foreshadows the author’s summary of the entire period of the judges that "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Jdg 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; Jdg 21:25) (1) rejected authority: (God's & his parents) intermarriage w. pagans was directly contrary to God's command & against the wishes of his godly father, Manoah. Samson refused to submit to parental authority, saying if I want to do it, then I am going to do it. (2) refused practice of self-discipline. His obedience to God was legalistic and incomplete. He kept the Nazirite vow in part but missed the intent of that vow, to be separated unto God for God's holy purposes. Samson focused on the code of separation, not the concept of holiness. We are all potentially just like Samson, legalistically careful not to do certain things, yet having huge rooms of our heart in which we entertain as guests the enemy of our souls bc we desire to do what is pleasing in our sight. And to the death of our souls! Inrig makes an excellent application to our modern world - Somehow that makes Samson a very modern man, because if there is a phrase that describes twenty-first-century Western society, it is “Everyone is doing what is right in his or her own eyes.” “If it feels good, do it.” “Let it all hang out.” It does not take a genius to recognize that we live in a period of moral, spiritual, and ethical anarchy. But what is especially sad is when believers adopt that worldview as their own. There are many excuses or sophisticated arguments that we may try to use, but, ultimately, it all comes down to whether we are going to live by God’s authority or by the authority of what is right in our own eyes. The great battleground of our time is the battleground of authority. (borrow Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay or see his Journey Through Judges a 50 part series). George Bush Is there never a woman, &c. His parents, aware of the divine prohibitions relative to foreign alliances, and also of the high and solemn designation of their son, of course remonstrate with him and endeavor to dissuade him from what they conceived so imprudent and unbecoming a connexion. They inquire whether among the daughters of his ‘brethren,’ i. e. of the tribe of Dan, he could not find a more suitable object of choice. If not, there was the whole nation of Israel—‘all my people,’—that afforded him a field of selection. Why then should he have occasion to go to the daughters of a heathen race? ‘I wish,’ says an old divine, ‘that Manoah and his wife could speak so loud that all our Israel could hear them.’ By nothing is the heart of a pious parent more grieved than by the prospect of the unequal yoking of his children with profane or irreligious partners; for he knows that nothing is so likely to prove injurious to their spiritual interests, and subject them to heartrending trials.(resource) Ray Pritchard - The downward spiral continues but now takes an ominous turn. So far, Samson has made some mistakes but they are not fatal. That is about to change. There is the reaction of his parents to the news that he wants to marry a Philistine girl. “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines?” (Jdg 14:3) His parents recognized that marrying a Philistine woman was not in his interest and they tried to warn him. But Samson would have none of it. There are many things that need to be said about this. For one thing, God had already spoken on the matter. In Exodus 34:16+ and Deuteronomy 7:1-4+ the children of Israel are explicitly commanded not to seek husbands or wives from the surrounding pagan nations. The reason is clear—if you marry a pagan, he (or she) will turn you away from God. In fact, the warning against mixed-faith marriages is one of the clearest teachings in the whole Bible. Over and over again the people of God are warned not to intermarry with those who do not share their faith. I have talked with many, many Christians (mostly women) who violated this command. Some of them have been married to unbelievers for 30 or 40 years. It’s not an easy life. They have struggled to win their husbands to Jesus Christ, mostly to no avail. All because early on, in a rush of emotion, they decided to ignore what God said. More than a few have said to me, “Pastor Ray, it was the biggest mistake of my life. Please warn the young people not to make the same mistake I did.” That’s what I’m doing in this message. As your pastor, I’m warning you not to do what Samson did. We have many singles in our church. Some of you are sorely tempted to neglect this teaching. Please don’t do it. It’s okay to be single. You’re all right just the way you are. God loves you and we love you. You don’t have to get married, but if you do, marry someone who loves the Lord as much as you do. Remember, it’s better to be single for 50 years than to be married for even one day outside the will of God. As the saying goes, it’s better to be single than to wish you were. I realize this is not an easy teaching. After all, it’s the Philistines who always seem to have the money and the power and the good looks. They laugh, they smile, they don’t seem so different from us. It’s only after you get married that you realize that they are uncircumcised. Then it’s too late. So Samson rejected godly counsel from his parents. In so doing he also rejected God’s counsel. But that was inevitable. When you go to the wrong place looking for the wrong thing with the wrong values in your heart, this is what happens. You end up rejecting the counsel of those who know better. Some people may wonder if Jdg 14:4 somehow contradicts this point when it notes that Samson’s parents did not know that the marriage was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines. The answer is No. The verse is not saying that Samson was right to marry the Philistine girl. After all, the Scriptures are clear on that point. It is saying that God was working behind the scenes to bring about a confrontation between the people of God and the pagans. Samson was wrong to make the marriage, but God allowed it in order to bring about something good from it. That doesn’t justify what Samson did. After all, he wasn’t looking to stir up trouble; he was motivated by lust. This verse is teaching us something about the providence of God, that he can bring something good out of the stupid things we do. That, however, is no excuse for stupidity. .(Out of Control) ILLUSTRATION - Gary Inrig - Donald Grey Barnhouse tells about a friend who raised strawberry plants and once sent him a shipment of a thousand plants. Barnhouse gave them to a farmer who was working his land on shares to plant. Around the beginning of June, Barnhouse was delighted to look at the patch and see thousands of blossoms; his mouth watered in anticipation. The next day, around noon, he asked the farmer what he had been doing that morning. The farmer replied, “I have been picking the blossoms off the strawberry plants.” Barnhouse just about had a heart attack. Then the farmer said, “If you have strawberries the first year, the strength goes into the berries and the plants become weak, and they will never produce much in the future. But if you let the strength go into the plants the first year, you will have magnificent berries.” I fear using illustrations like that because usually someone misses the point and tells me, “That was very helpful. Now I know what I’ve been doing wrong with my strawberries.” I will not vouch for the horticulture, but the spiritual application is very true. God takes nothing good from my life that He will not give back either in a more perfect form or for which He will provide a better replacement. There is nothing wrong with strawberries, but for the sake of something better, there is a time to do without them. Self-discipline is not stoically denying our drives and desires; it is submitting them to the will of God and to the timing of God. Samson’s mistake was not in being attracted to a woman but in failing to submit his sexual drives to the Lord’s control. His purpose is to produce rich fruit in my life, and that comes as I refuse to walk in the flesh and, instead, put myself under the control of His Spirit. In His time, there is a wonderfully satisfying harvest. (borrow Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay or see his Journey Through Judges a 50 part series). George Bush - For she pleaseth me well. Heb. היא ישרה בעיני hi yasherâh beënai, she is right in mine eyes. Taking these words in connexion with what is said in the next verse, we very much doubt whether our present translation does full justice to Samson’s motives. According to this, he urges no stronger reason for the step proposed than that the woman pleased his fancy, and for aught that appears from the rendering it was on this ground alone that his parents acceded to his request. But if they conceived the measure to be directly contrary to the precepts of the law, how could they, as true believers and obedient servants of God, yield their consent and co-operation, merely to gratify the headstrong passion of their son, unless they had some intimation that God himself had authorized in this instance a departure from his established ordinance? Should we look for such a concession to human infirmity from the pious pair who had so devoutly entertained a messenger from heaven, and listened to his commands? The fact is, if we mistake not, Samson does not intend mainly to say in these words, ‘she is well-pleasing in my sight,’ for the original word is not an adjective, having the sense of beautiful, engaging, attractive, but a verb conveying indeed the idea of right, but of right relative to an end, purpose, or object; in other words, of fitness or adaptation. See Gussetius on the root ישר yâshar, and compare the use of it, 2 Sam. 17:4; 1 Kings 9:12; 2 Chron. 30; Num. 23:27. This then we conceive affords the true clue to Samson’s meaning; ‘she is right in my eyes;’ i. e. adapted to the end which I have in view; she may be used, she is available for a purpose entirely ulterior to the immediate connexion which I propose. That Samson, however, entertained a genuine affection for the woman, and was not influenced solely by views of policy in the transaction, we see no reason to doubt. But that he intended at the same time to make this alliance subservient to the great purpose of delivering his country from oppression, there are very strong grounds for believing. (resource) Keil and Delitzsch - His parents expressed their astonishment at the choice, and asked him whether there was not a woman among the daughters of his brethren (i.e., the members of his own tribe), or among all his people, that he should want to fetch one from the Philistines, the uncircumcised. But Samson repeated his request, because the daughter of the Philistines pleased him. 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 Ex. 34:16 and Deut. 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 Josh. 13:3 upon the very same ground. But Samson was acting under a higher impulse, whereas his parents did not know that it was from Jehovah, i.e., that Jehovah had so planned it; “for Samson was seeking an opportunity on account of the Philistines,” i.e., an occasion to quarrel with them, because, as is afterwards added in the form of an explanatory circumstantial clause, the Philistines had dominion over Israel at that time. תֹּאֲנָה, ἁπ. λεγ., an opportunity (cf. הִתְאַנֶּה, 2 Kings 5:7). (Commentary) Uncircumcised (06189) arel from orlah = foreskin) is an adjective which means one with foreskin intact or "having foreskin." The majority of passages which use this term refer to the literal state of being uncircumcised (e.g., Ge 17:14; Exo. 12:48; Josh. 5:7+; Jdg. 14:3+; Jdg 15:18+; 1Sa 14:6; 17:26, 36; 31:4; 1Chr. 10:4). Arel was a word of contempt, particularly of Philistines who did not practice circumcision (Jdg 14:3; 15:18; 1Sa 14:6; 17:26, 36; 31:4 thru 1Chr 10:4; 2Sa 1:20). The Israelites looked upon the Philistines with contempt, due to their lack of conformity to the practice of circumcision, thus illustrating the Philistines' opposition to Israel's God (2Sa 1:20). Foreign nations who remained uncircumcised were considered pagan and unclean. It was a serious covenant violation to bring uncircumcised individuals into the Temple, because it desecrated the holiness and purity of the Lord's sanctuary (Ezek. 44:7, 9). Moses described himself as having "uncircumcised lips," an indication of his speech impediment and difficulty in making people listen to him (Ex 6:12, 30). This term was associated with moral and spiritual uncleanness (Isa 52:1) as well as with organs that did not function properly (Ex 6:12, "uncircumcised lips" do not speak well; Jer 6:10, "uncircumcised ears" cannot listen). See circumcision of the heart as used in Jer 9:26. Arel - 32v - Gen. 17:14; Exod. 6:12; Exod. 6:30; Exod. 12:48; Lev. 19:23; Lev. 26:41; Jos. 5:7; Jdg. 14:3; Jdg. 15:18; 1 Sam. 14:6; 1 Sam. 17:26; 1 Sam. 17:36; 1 Sam. 31:4; 2Sa 1:20; 1Chr. 10:4; Isa. 52:1; Jer. 6:10; Jer. 9:26; Ezek. 28:10; Ezek. 31:18; Ezek. 32:19; Ezek. 32:21; Ezek. 32:24; Ezek. 32:25; Ezek. 32:26; Ezek. 32:27; Ezek. 32:28; Ezek. 32:29; Ezek. 32:30; Ezek. 32:32; Ezek. 44:7; Ezek. 44:9 Judges 14:4 However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel. did not know that it was of the LORD: Jos 11:20 1Ki 12:15 2Ki 6:33 2Ch 10:15 22:7 25:20 Ps 115:3 the Philistines were ruling over Israel: Jdg 13:1 15:11 Dt 28:48 Judges 14 Resources Related Passages: Proverbs 16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. GOD CAUSES SAMSON'S SIN TO WORK FOR GOD'S GOALS However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD: We clearly see the mystery of God's sovereign purpose being worked out even in the midst of man's waywardness. Human freedom, including our poor sinful choices does not undermine or derail the sovereign workings of God. In this case His ultimate purpose was to begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. This verse does not suggest that God condoned Samson's rebellion. The writer is saying that God was going to overrule in this situation for a good purpose. God never condoned the sins Samson. When God isn’t permitted to rule in our lives, He overrules and works out His will in spite of our decision! -- Warren Wiersbe Criswell on did not know that it was of the LORD - This verse should not be taken to mean that the Lord caused or even favored Samson's marriage to a pagan, but that He would use Samson's actions to accomplish His goals. If Samson's level of spirituality had been higher, perhaps the Lord would have been more direct in His use of him. Instead, the Lord used his pagan marriage to "plant" Samson among the Philistines and so to begin the deliverance. The Lord's plans superseded Samson's (cf. Pr 16:33), which reminds us that we should always walk by faith and not be depressed by appearances. (The Believer's Study Bible)
Juízes 14
Guzik - As the rest of the chapter shows, some good ultimately came out of this ungodly marriage. Many Philistines were killed and they were kept off balance in their attempts to dominate the Israelites.. However, none of that justified Samson’s actions. Though God can make even the evil of man to serve His purposes, it never justifies the evil that man does. In accomplishing this purpose, God did not make a reluctant Samson pursue the Philistine woman for marriage. God allowed Samson to do what he wanted to do, though the act itself was sinful. God allowed it for reasons in both Samson’s life and for reasons on a larger scale. Someone today might justify their desire to marry a non-Christian because they trust some good will come out of it—such as their non-Christian partner eventually coming to Jesus. Things may work out that way, but even though God used Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman, it all came at a great personal cost to Samson. No matter how much good God can bring out of even the bad things we do, He can always bring far more good out of our obedience—and we ourselves experience much less pain. (Judges 14) Pritchard - The verse is not saying that Samson was right to marry the Philistine girl. After all, the Scriptures are clear on that point. It is saying that God was working behind the scenes to bring about a confrontation between the people of God and the pagans. Samson was wrong to make the marriage, but God allowed it in order to bring about something good from it. That doesn’t justify what Samson did. After all, he wasn’t looking to stir up trouble; he was motivated by lust. This verse is teaching us something about the providence of God, that he can bring something good out of the stupid things we do. That, however, is no excuse for stupidity.) .(Out of Control) God is sovereign over human affairs. What appears to be chance is really part of God's sovereign design. We saw this aspect of God’s sovereignty in Judges 3:1-2+. Other instances of God's sovereignty in action: Joshua 11:20+; 1Ki 12:15. The Lord uses even the sinful weaknesses of men to accomplish his purposes and bring praise to his name (Ge 45:8; 50:20; 2Chr 25:20; Acts 2:23+; Acts 4:28+; Ro 8:28,29+). Warren Wiersbe rightly says that "When God isn’t permitted to rule in our lives, He overrules and works out His will in spite of our decisions. Of course, we’re the losers for rebelling against Him; but (Esther 4:10-14+). Samson should have been going to a war instead of to a wedding, but God used this event to give Samson occasion to attack the enemy. Because of this event, Samson killed thirty men (Jdg 14:19), burned up the enemy crops (Jdg 15:1-5), slaughtered a great number of Philistines (Jdg 15:7,8), and slew 1,000 men (Jdg 15:15). Samson hadn’t planned these things, but God worked them out just the same. (See context in The Bible Exposition Commentary) Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD - That is, God permitted it, that it might be a means of bringing about the deliverance of Israel. Such marriages were forbidden to the Israelites, to keep them separate from the idolatrous nations. George Bush on his father and his mother knew not - These words appear to be inserted parenthetically for the purpose of intimating the reason to which it was owing, that Samson’s parents declined giving their consent to the proposed marriage. They did not know God’s purposes in respect to it. Had they known them, the implication is that their decision would have been different; and as we learn from the next verse that their objections were overruled, and that they went with their son to Timnath in reference to the object of his suit, the inference is fair, that in some way they did become acquainted with the divine counsels. Their going is to be considered, we think, rather in the light of an acquiescence in the will of heaven, than of a yielding to the mere importunities of their son. In what particular manner they became enlightened in respect to the ultimate bearings of the measure, we are not informed, and must of course be left to mere conjecture. To us it appears most probable that Samson frankly laid open to them all his mind, and that in these disclosures they saw satisfactory evidence that he was moved by the Spirit of God in this transaction in a way that they did not dare to resist. (resource) For He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines - For is a term of explanation. What is the writer explaining? The Samson story is a fascinating study in the relationship between human freedom and divine sovereignty. It shows the Lord working all things together for the good of his people, even when they were least aware of it, and despite the waywardness of the one he had chosen to use. He is still the same gracious, sovereign God today. He still works all things together for the good of his people, whether they are aware of it or not. In his perfect servant, Jesus, however, there is no trace of the waywardness that we see in Samson (Ro 5:6-8; Ro 8:28). George Bush on He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines - That is, an occasion of avenging the wrongs inflicted by the Philistines on the Israelites. It is worthy of note that the Hebrew, instead of ‘against the Philistines,’ has, ‘of or from the Philistines;’ clearly implying that the occasion sought should be one that originated on the side of the Philistines. The sense exhibited by our common rendering is not indeed essentially different from this, but we prefer to express the exact shade of the original wherever it can be done. As far as the grammatical construction is concerned, there is nothing to prevent this being understood of the Lord himself as the proper subject of the verb. But it seems on the whole more natural and plausible to understand it of Samson—that he sought occasion against the Philistines—though at the same time with the connivance and under the prompting of the Most High, who saw fit in this indirect way to bring about the accomplishment of his designs of retribution towards his enemies. If it be asked why infinite wisdom chose to adopt this peculiar method of compassing the object, although our inability to answer the question would not at all affect the claims of the sacred narrative, yet it may be suggested, that the reason is perhaps to be drawn from the special design of God in raising up Samson as a deliverer. His leading purpose in this seems to have been to baffle the power of the whole Philistine nation by the prowess of a single individual. The champion of Israel therefore was not appointed so much to be the leader of an army like the other judges, as to be an army in himself. In order then that the contest might be carried on in this way, it was necessary that the entire opposition of the Philistines should be concentrated, as far as possible, against the person of Samson. This would array the contending parties precisely in such an attitude as to illustrate most signally the power of God in the overthrow of his enemies. But how could this result be brought about except by means of some private quarrel between Samson and the enemy with which he was to contend? and who can say that the scheme now projected was not the very best that could have been devised for accomplishing the end which God had in view? To what extent Samson foresaw all the events that were to grow out of this transaction, or how far he had a plan distinctly laid corresponding with the results that actually ensued, it is difficult to determine. The probability, we think, is that he had rather a general strong impression, wrought by the Spirit of God, than a definite conception, of the train of events that were to transpire. It was, however, a conviction as to the issue sufficiently powerful to warrant both him and his parents in going forward with the measure. They were in some way assured that they were engaged in a proceeding which God would overrule to the furtherance of his designs of mercy to his people and of judgment to their oppressors. God foresaw, though they did not, how basely and perfidiously his wife’s friends and relations would act towards Samson, and what just grounds of war would on this account arise. In all this, however, they would act freely and without compulsion, so that there would be no injustice in their punishment; and what should prevent the righteous Lord God from availing himself of his omniscience in working out to his enemies the due recompense of their deeds? (resource) Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel - On previous occasions the Israelites had repented of their sin and cried to the Lord for help. Now there was no cry. Now the Israelites had become content to live under pagan domination, accepting their oppressed status as the status quo, with a defeatist mentality. And so as see in the next chapter Israelites of Judah seek to turn their Nazirite judge Samson over to the Philistines because "the Philistines are rulers over us!" (Jdg 15:11+) Israel clearly has capitulated to "captivity"! But it did not stop there for more ominously, they had embraced Canaanite values and were increasingly assimilated to their pagan neighbors. In contrast to prior oppressions which severely afflicted them, this does not appear to be the case with the Philistine rule which makes it that much more dangerous. God’s purpose for Samson was to cause a breach between Israel and Philistia, and to reestablish Israel’s sense of separateness and covenant identity. THOUGHT - Christian, look out! You are on a "slippery slope" when you love anything or anyone more than you love Jesus! I understand this is a challenge for all believers, because the sinful, godless "Canaanites" surrounding us are sensual and seductive and our fallen flesh is easy prey if we do not constantly guard our hearts! (Pr 4:23+). George Bush - Philistines had dominion over Israel. Added in order to intimate the general moving cause which prompted Samson to exert himself in behalf of his people. They were suffering under the despotic and tyrannical sway of their oppressors. It was in this fact that a justification was to be sought for the commencement of hostilities. Schmid, however, expresses the belief that a still deeper sense is couched under these words, viz. that they are intended to assign a reason why Samson should have felt it necessary to seek any occasion at all for entering upon warlike operations. His curious conceit on the subject is as follows;—The Philistines, although they were now cruelly oppressing the Israelites, yet by the acknowledged rights of war, they had justly acquired this dominion over them, and such is God’s abhorrence of all rebellions and insurrections against existing powers, that they were not at liberty, on the simple plea or pretence of tyranny, to endeavor to shake off the yoke. Consequently some just occasion was to be sought as a warrant for the attempt, and unless such a plausible pretext should arise, our commentator would have us understand that the bare fact of the Philistines’ having the ascendency over Israel was a sufficient reason for their abstaining from all efforts to regain their liberties. This he supposes to be the genuine drift of the illative ‘for’ in the clause before us. Samson sought an occasion against the Philistines, ‘for (because) at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel,’ and therefore it would be unlawful to rise against them without such an occasion! In connexion with this exposition he quotes with applause the remarks of Brent, commending the singular prudence and moderation of Samson, that although he had ample grounds in the divine commission implied in the very fact of his being raised up and set apart as a national deliverer, yet to avoid offence, he will not undertake the work till a just and legitimate cause of war occurs. All this reasoning, savoring as it does so strongly of the doctrine of passive obedience, we leave to the reader to estimate according to its worth; but we believe a much more correct view of the reason of Samson’s ‘seeking an occasion against the Philistines is given in a preceding note. If a general movement had been made by the Israelites for the assertion of their liberties, an equally general attempt to crush it would of course have been made on the other side. But God designed that Samson personally should be the butt of the enemies’ wrath and machinations, that he might display his own glory in conquering them by the might of a single arm. (resource) Norman Geisler - JUDGES 14:4—How could God use Samson’s lust after the Philistine girl to accomplish the deliverance of Israel from oppression? PROBLEM: When Samson went to Timnah, he saw a Philistine woman whom he wanted to marry. Although his parents warned him not to pursue such a relation with this godless pagan woman, Samson refused to listen to their counsel. However, Judges 14:4 indicates that Samson’s desire for this woman was the work of God to use Samson to defeat the Philistines. How could God use the evil lusts of Samson to accomplish the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression? SOLUTION: It must be realized that, although Samson had been dedicated by his parents from birth to serve the Lord as a Nazarite, he was not totally committed to the Lord. Samson became a willful and self-centered person. He was not of a mind to go to battle against the Philistines for spiritual reasons. Consequently, to arouse him to do battle with the Philistines, God used Samson’s own self-interests to incite his anger against the Philistines and to bring about the deliverance of Israel from oppression. God sometimes uses evil men to accomplish His good purposes. v Judges 14:2–4 Samson’s Marriage Was from the Lord? from HARD SAYINGS BIBLE God had clearly forbidden the Israelites to intermarry with the Canaanites (Ex 34:11–16; Deut 7:1–4). The Philistines, not technically listed as Canaanites, were actually cousins to the Egyptians (Gen 10:14). Nevertheless, it would seem that the principle of avoiding intermarriage would apply to the Philistines as well as to the Canaanites, since the rule was based not on race but on religion. Believers were not to marry unbelievers. Furthermore, there is an ambiguity in verse 4. Who sought the occasion against the Philistines: God or Samson? The Hebrew text simply says “he.” Some commentators, such as George Bush, J.K. F. Keil and Andrew Robert Fausset, take Samson as the intended reference; others, such as Dale Ralph Davis, Leon Wood and Luke Wiseman, make God the antecedent. The story of Samson serves as the thematic climax to the book of Judges. The refrain of the book is “everyone did as he saw fit” or “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Jdg 17:6; 21:25). The narrator of Judges uses the same refrain to describe Samson in chapter 14. A literal translation of verse 3 would render his demand as “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” Again, Judges 14:7 comments, “She was right in Samson’s eyes” (NIV “he liked her”). In this respect, Samson was typical of his period of Israelite history—it was the day for doing one’s own thing. It is probably best to assume that the antecedent of who or he in Judges 14:4 is meant to be Yahweh, since to think otherwise would strain grammatical construction. Samson appears to be governed more by his glands than by any secret purpose on behalf of his nation. He was doing his own thing. The purpose was not his but God’s. But that will only seem to make the difficulty of this passage worse. How could the Lord go back on his own rules in order to accomplish some other goal, even a high purpose? James Jordan argues that God was guiding Samson to move toward marriage, even though Samson was doing his own thing. The purpose of such a marriage, in Jordan’s view, was evangelism. Had the nation of Philistia accepted the olive branch symbolized by this marriage and recognized that they were occupying Israel’s land, the war would have ended. But instead, the riddle Samson put forth at the banquet (14:10–20) allowed the Philistines’ true colors to show. Most of the Israelites had failed to see the domination of the Philistines for what it was; they needed to be stirred up. Since the Philistines were cousins to the Egyptians, the captivity of Israel to the Philistines was equivalent to captivity in Egypt. The lionlike Sphinx is the guardian of Egypt, and it was a lion that attacked Samson as he went down to Philistia. But Jordan’s argument seems obscure and depends too much on symbolism—especially since a particularly difficult theological issue has been raised. His solution seems contrived when judged from the standpoint of an outsider. Better is the approach of Dale Ralph Davis. For him, the one who was seeking an occasion against the Philistines was Yahweh. But that does not mean God condoned everything Samson did or the way he did it. Says Davis, “Many Christian parents have stood in the sandals of Manoah and his wife. They have, though realizing their own sinful inadequacies, faithfully taught, prayed for, disciplined, and loved a son or a daughter only to see that child willfully turn from the way of the Lord. No one can deny it is anything but devastating. Yet one should not forget verse 4: ‘But his father and mother did not realize it was from Yahweh.’ What we don’t know may yet prove to be our deepest comfort.” The sin of Samson must not be attributed to the Lord, but the deliverance of the Israelites by Samson was from the Lord. Remember, scriptural language frequently attributes directly to God what he merely permits. Samson surely was directed by God to seek an occasion against the Philistines and to lead the Israelites in breaking out from under their yoke. But Samson did not take the time to inquire of the Lord how, or in what legitimate ways, he might do this. We do not find him asking, as his successor Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Nor did he seek divine guidance when his parents questioned his seeking a bride among the Philistines. All that mattered was whether he was pleased—whether his choice was “right in his own eyes.” Little wonder, then, that he would only begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Perhaps his potential for greatness was truncated by his vices, his partaking too deeply of the cultural appetites of his day. My conclusion is that Samson was neither directed nor tempted by God to do what God had specifically prohibited in his Word. God wanted the defeat of the Philistines, but that did not give Samson carte blanche. Moreover, God’s blessing on one or more aspects of a person’s life is no indication that everything that person does is approved. Samson was plain bullheaded about this decision, and he refused to listen to his parents or to God. But neither Samson’s foolishness nor his stubbornness would prevent the design of God from being fulfilled. Judges 14:5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. Judges 14 Resources Related Passage: 1 Samuel 17:34; 35 But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. SAMSON GOING "DOWN" AGAIN Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah: A vineyard was a dangerous place for a man who was not supposed to have anything to do with grapes (Nu 6:1-4). The Sorek Valley (in which Timnah was located) and its surrounding areas were noted for their luxurious vineyards. Though Samson’s parents objected to his marrying a Philistine, they allowed Samson’s wishes to prevail and went down with him, but were not with him at the time the lion attacked (we know because he did not tell his parents of this encounter). Inrig writes "There were no witnesses to this act, and Samson chooses not to tell his parents about it. This is curious, because it is precisely the kind of event you would expect someone to talk about. There was also an opportunity of praise to his Lord. Why the secrecy? Was it because involvement with killing was a violation of the Nazirite prohibition of contact with the dead? We are not told, but we are left to wonder." (borrow Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay or see his Journey Through Judges a 50 part series). Bush conjectures (it is conjecture) on the parents going down with Samson - "Having changed their minds; having yielded to the evidence that he was under a divine prompting in the measure proposed. (resource) And behold, a young lion came roaring toward him: Toward him, not toward them as the parents were elsewhere. Lions were once common in southern Canaan (see 1Sa 17:34; 2Sa 23:20; 1Ki 13:24; 20:36). Did God send the lion as a warning to Samson that he was walking on the wrong path? The Holy Spirit gave Samson power to defeat the enemy, but Samson persisted on his path of disobedience into enemy territory and an unlawful wedding. This underscores the point that one can have the power of the Spirit but not be under the control of the Spirit. The appearance, in this story, of the lion is very significant. God was trying to teach Samson something about the degree of power that he possessed. We read that the lion charged him and he tore it apart as one would a lamb. They must have been a lot stronger back in those days than we are. I'm not sure we could even accomplish that with a lamb. Now, what was the Lord trying to teach him? Just this: that he had adequate power to live in victory over his passions. His desires, his drives, were not beyond his control. In the Spirit of God there was available to him adequate authority and power to live in victory over every area of life, whatever it might be. There is a lion in our life, as well. Peter writes in his first letter that our adversary, the devil, goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1Pe 5:8) He is our lion, seeking to tempt us, to draw us away from obedience to Jesus Christ. But in John's first letter he says that, in Christ, we have already overcome that lion. We have already had our encounter with him and he has already been torn asunder. Twice John says, "I write to you, young men, because you have [already] overcome the evil one." (1Jn 2:13-14) When we chose Jesus Christ, we chose a complete victory in him. The cross has already dealt with the lion in our life. He has been put away; he is no longer a threat. We have everything we need to stand against his pressures and the temptations that he throws against us. In John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" there is an incident recorded in which Christian is walking down the road toward the Celestial City. As he is going through a mountain pass he sees a pair of lions crouched beside the path. He is frightened and intimidated by them, immobilized, unable to continue his journey. Standing there in fear he hears a man calling to him from farther down the trail. The man tells him that the lions have been chained. At first it is hard for him to believe, but as he ventures closer to them he sees for himself that this is true. The lions are shackled. And although they are right by the road, ready to spring, they are restrained so that they can't harm Christian as he makes his way on toward the Celestial City. God has done that for you in Jesus Christ. Satan has been dealt with (Heb 2:14). The lion in your life has already been torn asunder and there is adequate power to live in victory over any area of your life. I don't care how deep-seated, how long-term the bad habits may be in your life. It doesn't matter. There is adequate power to subdue them. Jesus Christ has done that for you. George Bush Behold a young lion roared against him. Heb. חנח כפיר אריות שאג לקראתו hinnëh kephir arâyoth shoëg likrâtho, behold, a young lion of the lionesses roaring in his meetting. From v. 6 it is obvious that his parents were not with him when this remarkable incident occurred. ‘He was all alone in the vineyards, whither he had rambled from his father and mother (who kept the high road) probably to eat grapes. Children consider not that they expose themselves to the roaring lion that seeks to devour, when, out of a foolish fondness for liberty, they wander from under the eye of their prudent, pious parents. Nor do young people consider what lions lurk in the vineyards, the vineyards of red wine, as dangerous as snakes under the green grass.’ Henry. It is to be observed, that ‘young lion’ does not here mean a whelp, for which the Hebrew has quite a different word, but a young lion arrived at its full strength and size, when it is far more fierce than at a later period. It is evident from this and other passages of Scripture, that lions formerly existed in Judea. We do not know that they are now to be met with in that country; but this is not surprising, as numerous instances might be cited of the disappearance of wild animals, in the course of time, from countries where they were once well known. (esource) Keil and Delitzsch - When Samson went down with his parents to Timnath, a young lion came roaring towards him at the vineyards of that town. Then the Spirit of Jehovah came upon him, so that he tore the lion in pieces as a kid is torn (lit. “like the tearing in pieces of the kid”), although he had nothing, i.e., no weapon, in his hand. David, when a shepherd, and the hero Benaiah, also slew lions (1 Sam. 17:34, 35; 2 Sam. 23:20); and even at the present day Arabs sometimes kill lions with a staff (see Winer, Bibl. R. W. Art. Löwe). Samson’s supernatural strength, the effect of the Spirit of Jehovah, which came upon him, was simply manifested in the fact that he tore the lion in pieces without any weapon whatever in his hand. But he said nothing about it to his parents, who were not eyewitnesses of the deed. This remark is introduced in connection with what follows. ( Commentary) Samson’s Ten Feats of Strength and Heroism Part 1: Three mentions of the “Spirit of the LORD” 1. The killing of the lion Jdg 14:5–9 “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him” (Jdg 14:6). 2. The killing of 30 Philistines “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him” (Jdg 14:19). 3. The burning of the fields Jdg 15:4–6 4. Another slaughter of the Philistines Jdg 15:7–8 5. Escape from ropes and killing of 1,000 Philistines Jdg 5:14–17 “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him” (Jdg 15:14). Part 2: No mention of the “Spirit of the LORD” 6. The Gaza-gate incident 7. Escape from the bowstrings 8. Escape from the new ropes 9. Escape from the loom 10. Final destruction of 3,000 Philistines Jdg 16:28–30 Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a kid though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. the Spirit: Jdg 3:10 Jdg 11:29 Jdg 13:25 1Sa 11:6 so that he tore him: Jdg 15:8,15 Jdg 16:30 1Sa 17:34-37,46 Zec 4:6 1Jn 3:8 but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done: Isa 42:2 Mt 11:29 Judges 14 Resources Related Passages: Judges 3:10+ The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. Judges 11:29+ Now the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon. Judges 13:25+ And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GIVES SUPERNATURAL POWER And the Spirit of the LORD came upon (rushed on) him mightily (tsalach): The Spirit of the LORD "took control of him" (CSB), "rushed upon him" (ESV, NET, NRSV), "seized upon him" (NJB), "came powerfully upon him," (NLT). Earlier we saw the Spirit began to "stir" him. This first mention in Jdg 13:25 of the Spirit is like a preview of his future "power encounters." There are at least Seven "power encounters" - (1) Jdg 14:6, (2) Jdg 14:19, (3) Jdg 15:4-5 (power implied), (4) Jdg 15:8 (power implied), (5) Jdg 15:14-15, (6) Jdg 16:3 (power implied) and (7) Jdg 16:30 (power implied). Seven is the number of completion (just wondering!) Came upon mightily (tsalach) is the same Hebrew word used in Amos 5:6 "He will break forth like a fire" which is interesting in light of the fact that Samson used 300 foxes to set fire to the Philistine fields! Study the Spirit of the LORD came - 7 verses - Jdg 3:10; Jdg 6:34; Jdg 11:29; Jdg 14:6; Jdg 14:19; Jdg. 15:14; 1Sa 16:13, 2Chr. 20:14. Cf related phrase Spirit of God came - 7 verses - Nu 24:2; 1Sa 10:10; 1Sa 11:6; 1Sa 19:20; 1Sa 19:23; 2Chr. 15:1; 2Chr. 24:20 Clearly Samson did not take on the lion in his own natural strength, but by the supernatural strength communicated by the Spirit of the Lord coming mightily upon him. It is worth noting that there is no record that he called upon God to give him strength but it came on him by the sovereign will of God. It was not until he uttered he last words of his life that he actually called on God to give him strength (Jdg 16:30+). THOUGHT - Do you ever call on the Lord to give you strength in some trial, affliction or temptation? Or do you just assume since you have the Spirit permanently abiding in your "temple," there is no need for you to cry out? May God give us humility and grace to cry out quickly and with a sense of urgency (and dependency) in our time of need (which is essentially all the time), that it would be shown to clearly be His power and not ours. Amen. (Play Cry Out) George Bush - The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. Well rendered from the original, which is in numerous instances employed to signify a supernatural influence raising the bodily or mental powers to an unwonted (unusual) pitch of energy, "clothing one" with courage, fortitude, skill, wisdom, and strength, and enabling him to perform achievements to which his unassisted powers would be entirely unequal. The expression seems to denote an occasional illapse of this kind of influence, and it may be doubted whether even Samson was able ordinarily to display these prodigies of valor and prowess which he from time to time put forth, though perhaps habitually a stronger man than others. (resource) The Spirit "comes mightily upon" men. The phrase "comes mightily upon" literally implies that He attacked men; as a greater force He compelled them to accomplish His task. It was thus He came upon: Samson. "The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him" (Judg. 14:6, 19; 15:14). Saul. "The Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul" (cf. 1 Sam. 10:6, 10). David. "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David" (1 Sam. 16:13). "Was upon" is a milder phrase and expresses a divine endowment for the time being. For illustrations of this action turn to Numbers 11:17; 24:2; Judges 3:10; 11:29; 1 Samuel 19:20, 23; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 20:14; Isaiah 59:21; 61:1. So that (term of purpose) he tore him as one tears a kid though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done: Tearing a goat in half by pulling apart its hind legs is still practiced in Arab countries. Tearing a lion would take far more strength! It is interesting that this story of physical strength is situated in the midst of his spiritual sin of marrying a pagan. Sadly, he was made physically strong by the Spirit, but his sinful passions were untouched by the Spirit. Why didn't Samson tell his parents? One thought is that Samson knew his contact with a dead body was a violation of his Nazarite vow and he did not want to tell his parents. Some commentators say "no, this was not a breach of the Nazarite vow because that applied to dead people, not dead animals (cp difference in translations - Nu 6:6+ = "dead people" versus Nu 6:6ESV = dead body)." Then why didn't he even boast about his fantastic feat? One thought is his silence supports a sense of guilt. It also suggests that he still had a sense of conscience and did not want to disappoint his parents who had been so faithful to help him keep his Nazarite vows in childhood. George Bush on not telling his parents - An instance of singular discretion, modesty, and self-control, view it in whatever light we may. How few people are there in the world, who, if they had performed such an exploit as this, would have suffered it to remain hid from their dearest friends. But the presumption is, that before this Samson himself was not fully aware of the extent to which ‘the power of the Highest rested on him, and without a distinct foresight of the events that followed, he may still have concluded that to divulge the possession of such astonishing strength would be likely to defeat the ends to which it might be applied. He would not therefore betray so important a secret,—not even to his own parents, lest a premature disclosure, by putting his enemies on their guard, should render the endowment comparatively useless. (resource) Maxine Hancock has an interesting comment on Peter Paul Rubens painting (the picture above) writing that this painting "shows Samson in the beauty and power of muscled youth, grappling a lion by the jaws, illustrating the instance told in Judges 14:5-6. The lion's head is pulled back by Samson wh bows over with the strain, so that man and lion create a circular configuration in the center of the canvas. More than just a picture of "mighty opposites" in conflict, the presentation is symbolic, for Samson's conflict with passion was much like his struggle with the lion as pictured by Rubens. In the painting, the tension between the antagonists is unresolved. The structure is circular, so that it is easy to imagine the picture turned upside down to show the lion on top of Samson, as passion and desire dominated that man throughout his adult life." Came upon mightily (06743)(tsalach) means to rush or rush upon, to break forth, to come mightily. As discussed below this verb describes the Holy Spirit’s affect on persons, making them powerful (Jdg. 14:6, 9; 15:14; 1 Sa 16:13); or causing persons to prophesy (1 Sam. 10:6, 10; 11:6). It indicates the effect of an evil spirit as well (1 Sa 18:10). It has the sense of persons breaking out, rushing forward in battle (2 Sam. 19:17); and of God breaking out in acts of judgment (Amos 5:6). TSALACH has a separate meaning of advancing powerfully toward a goal so that it succeeds, and thus it means to prosper, to succeed, to accomplish effectively, or to be brought to a successful outcome. It is used both of circumstances being made successful and of persons experiencing success, but in Scripture the emphasis consistently falls on the truth that success is not self-generated but God-given. For example, the servant of Abraham watched to see whether the LORD had “made his journey successful” (Genesis 24:21), and the LORD “caused all that he did to prosper” in Joseph’s hand (Genesis 39:2). In this sense, tsālaḥ describes the effective accomplishment of an intended purpose, whether in a journey, an endeavor, or even the flourishing of a righteous life (Psalm 1:3). At the same time, the word makes clear that true prosperity is morally conditioned and theologically governed. Those who walk in obedience are promised success because God Himself grants it (Joshua 1:8; 2 Chronicles 31:21), while those who rebel cannot ultimately prosper, even if they appear to do so temporarily (Numbers 14:41; Deuteronomy 28:29; Jeremiah 12:1). Thus, Scripture distinguishes between apparent success and divinely sustained success, showing that the wicked may “prosper” for a time, but their success is fleeting, whereas the righteous prosper in a way that endures (Psalm 37:7). The verb is even used to show that no weapon formed against God’s people will ultimately succeed (Isaiah 54:17), underscoring that all outcomes are subject to God’s sovereign will. Ultimately, tsālaḥ reaches its highest theological significance in passages like Isaiah 53:10, where “the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand,” referring to the Suffering Servant. Here the word points to the certainty that God’s redemptive purposes cannot fail, a truth echoed in Isaiah 55:11, that His word always accomplishes what He desires. Therefore, the core meaning of tsālaḥ is not merely “to succeed” in a human sense, but to be carried forward by God’s power so that His intended purpose is fully accomplished, whether in an individual life, a nation, or His overarching plan of salvation. The Septuagint gives us a vivid word picture of the Spirit's coming upon someone mightily! In 1 Sa 10:6 (and 1Sa 11:6, 1 Sa 16:13) the Greek verb used to translate tsalach is ephallomai which means to leap or jump upon and was the verb used by Luke in Acts 19:16 to describe the evil spirit leaping upon "sons of one Sceva"! In 1 Sa 10:10 the verb is allomai meaning to leap or spring up (used in Acts 3:8, Jn 4:14). Tsalach - 10x - Usage: break forth(1), came upon him mightily(4), came upon mightily(1), came mightily(2), come upon you mightily(1), rushed(1). Jdg. 14:6; Jdg. 14:19; Jdg. 15:14; 1Sa 10:6; 1Sa 10:10; 1Sa 11:6; 1Sa 16:13; 1Sa 18:10; 2Sa 19:17; Amos 5:6. For Samson the presence of God’s Spirit meant tremendous physical strength (cf. Jdg 14:19; 15:14). Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of them and took their spoil and gave the changes [of clothes] to those who told the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father’s house. When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. In 1 Samuel the Spirit came powerfully on Saul, enabling him to prophesy (1 Sa 10:6, 10) or to prepare for battle (1Sa 11:6). 1 Samuel 10:6) “Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. 1 Samuel 10:10) When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them. 1 Samuel 11:6 Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry. David experienced the “rush” of the Spirit when he was anointed as king (1Sa 16:13). Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah. In the OT as a whole, there are multiple references (see below)to “the Spirit of the Lord” or “the Spirit of God,” as well as various other references such as “His Spirit” or “Your Spirit” or “the Spirit.” (these are not including in the list below) The Old Testament speaks numerous times of God’s Spirit coming mightily upon individuals, usually to empower them physically for great feats of strength. Other judges received this power: Othniel (Jdg 3:10), Gideon (Jdg 6:34), and Jephthah (Jdg 11:29).The Spirit empowered others for the important task of speaking God’s word (Nu 24:2; 1Sa 10:6, 10; 19:20, 23; 2 Sa 23:2). Probably the most important manifestation of the Spirit in the Old Testament was the Spirit’s ongoing presence. 1 Sa 16:13 states that the Spirit lived with David from that day forward, and this is confirmed by David’s statement in Ps 51:11. As an aside it is fascinating that the most concentrated use of the phrase the Spirit of the Lord is in the darkest days of Israel, the period of Judges. This fact gives me great hope as I think about the rapid rise of spiritual darkness in America in the twenty-second century. It makes me think that God has a remnant of genuinely Spirit filled believers who will be able to fight the good fight of faith for the glory of the Lord, regardless of how dark the days become. Spirit of the Lord - 24x in the OT and 4x in the NT - Jdg. 3:10; Jdg. 6:34; Jdg. 11:29; Jdg. 13:25; Jdg. 14:6; Jdg. 14:19; Jdg. 15:14; 1 Sam. 10:6; 1 Sam. 16:13; 1 Sam. 16:14; 2 Sam. 23:2; 1 Ki. 18:12; 1 Ki. 22:24; 2 Ki. 2:16; 2 Chr. 18:23; 2 Chr. 20:14; Isa. 11:2; Isa. 40:13; Isa. 61:1; Isa. 63:14; Ezek. 11:5; Ezek. 37:1; Mic. 2:7; Mic. 3:8; Lk. 4:18; Acts 5:9; Acts 8:39; 2 Co. 3:17 Spirit of God - Gen. 1:2; Exod. 31:3; Exod. 35:31; Num. 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:10; 1 Sam. 11:6; 1 Sam. 19:20; 1 Sam. 19:23; 2 Chr. 15:1; 2 Chr. 24:20; Job 33:4; Ezek. 11:24; Matt. 3:16; Matt. 12:28; Rom. 8:9; Rom. 8:14; 1 Co. 2:11; 1 Co. 2:14; 1 Co. 3:16; 1 Co. 7:40; 1 Co. 12:3; Eph. 4:30; Phil. 3:3; 1 Jn. 4:2 Judges 14.6 G Campbell Morgan And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. Judges 14.6 The story of Samson is one of the strangest in the Old Testament. It is surely that of a great opportunity and a disastrous failure. Everything would seem to have been in his favour. The story of beginnings is full of tragic pathos in the light of the after years. His birth was foretold, and the method of his training indicated by the Angel of Jehovah, whose name was given as Wonderful. Of his earlier years it is said that "the Spirit of Jehovah began to move him." Had he but yielded wholly to the impulses of the Spirit, how different a story might have been recorded! In this chapter the boy is seen, having grown to manhood's estate. full of strength and of passion. Going to Timnah, he saw a woman of the Philistines, and desired to take her to wife. His parents attempted to dissuade him, but he determined to follow his own inclination. This action was a direct violation of the law of God. There is nothing to admire in this man in these transactions. In the course of the reading, two statements arrest our attention. The first is in verse 4: "His father and mother knew not that it was of Jehovah"; and the second in verse 6: "The Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon him." They both reveal God over-ruling the life of this man, and giving him renewed opportunities, in spite of his failure. The phrase, "It was of Jehovah," is used in the same sense as in Joshua 11.20+. God makes the folly of man to contribute finally to the fulfilment of His own purpose. (Borrow Life applications from every chapter of the Bible). Judges 14:7 So he went down and talked to the woman; and she looked good to Samson. KJV And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. NET Samson continued on down to Timnah and spoke to the girl. In his opinion, she was just the right one. CSB Then he went and spoke to the woman, because Samson wanted her. ESV Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes. GWN Then he went to talk to the young woman. She was the one he wanted. NIV Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her. NJB He went down and talked to the woman, and he became fond of her. NLT When Samson arrived in Timnah, he talked with the woman and was very pleased with her. Judges 14 Resources THE EYES HAVE IT! So he went down and talked to the woman: Here we go again - down, down, down! Went down could be the key words in Samson's life - he went down in Jdg 14:1, 5, 7, 10. Conversations between a man and a woman were not generally culturally acceptable during this time, unless the couple was betrothed. So again Samson is "stepping across the line." THOUGHT- How many pastors have begun a tragic slide into adultery by being a "compassionate ear" for some attractive woman who has problems, especially when they are marital problems! I personally know of two extremely popular pastors in Central Texas who began the slide from the listening couch to the lying bed! I have steadfastly refused to counsel women but have always referred them to my wife. Billy Graham would counsel women but only with an open door and only in full visibility of his secretary (I personally think that is still potentially dangerous!) And she looked good to Samson: Samson's "eye problem" surfaces again! Literally "She was the right one in the eyes of Samson." In Samson's eyes, she was the one or as the CSB says "Samson wanted her." Samson was the "poster boy" for the "eye disease" that had infected most of Israel in the days of the Judges... Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she looks good to me.” Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Ray Pritchard - “Then he went down to the woman, and he liked her.” Evidently he has not met her before now. But that doesn’t matter because Samson is motivated entirely by her physical appearance. He is hormone-driven, not Spirit-driven, at this point. He’s not looking for Mother Teresa or Florence Nightingale. This is the Old Testament version of “Hello, I love you, won’t you tell me your name?” It fits. One bad move leads to another. He is going down, down, down, and it all started when he went to the wrong place. His fate was sealed when he rejected godly counsel. So now Samson is out on his own—away from God, away from godly influence, away from his family, away from his friends, away from his past. Just write Proverbs 16:25 over verse 7, “There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.” Samson is all smiles because he thinks he has found the girl of his dreams. But the smile won’t last and the dream soon turns into a nightmare. (Out of Control) George Bush And talked with the woman. Rather according to the Heb. לאשה ידבר yedabbër lâishâh, talked concerning the woman. Marriages in the East, from the earliest periods, have always been arranged by parents in behalf of their children. It was doubtless so in the present case. Indeed, for what other purpose did his parents go down? According to the letter, indeed, the talking is referred to Samson, and he undoubtedly had a voice in it, but not, we imagine, to the exclusion of his father and mother. The whole three negotiated the matter with the parents of the young woman.(resource) Keil and Delitzsch Commentary - When he came to Timnath he talked with the girl, and she pleased him. He had only seen her before (v. 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. (Commentary) Judges 14:8 When he returned later to take her, he turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion; and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion. take her: Ge 29:21 Mt 1:20 Judges 14 Resources BREAKING THE NAZIRITE VOW BY TOUCHING DEAD CARCASS When he returned later to take her (NET, NIV - to marry her), he turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion; and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion: The time when he returned to take her is not stated but in that time and culture it was usually to be one year. Did Samson wait a year? The text does not say. What is he doing here again? The text doesn't state but from Jdg 14:5 this implies he was at the grape vineyards again. And the Nazarite vow stipulated that he was not to eat even the skins of grapes (Nu 6:4). So it seems at the very least he was tempting himself (We never do that do we?) Paul told the Roman believers to make no provision (don't think about it before you do it) the flesh in regards to its lusts or strong desires. (Ro 13:14+) for our hearts are more deceitful than all else (Jer 17:9). Samson's willingness to succumb to his appetite foreshadows the seduction by Delilah, where Samson's sexual obsession caused him to fully compromise his Nazirite status by cutting his hair. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - It is probable, that the flesh had been entirely consumed off the bones, which had become dry; and the body having been throw into some private place, (for Samson turned aside to visit it,) a swarm of bees had formed their combs in the cavity of the dry ribs, or region of the thorax; nor was it a more improper place than a hollow rock. Ray Pritchard - He Played Fast And Loose With His Spiritual Commitment Jdg 14:6-10 Two things now happen that point out the spiritual deterioration in Samson’s soul. The first occurs as he and his parents make their way down to Timnah to arrange the marriage. While they are traveling, Samson turns aside to a vineyard and there encounters a young lion. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him and he tears the lion apart with his bare hands. Verse 6 notes that “he told neither his father or his mother what he had done.” Why? You would think a man would be glad to tell of a mighty deed like that. He doesn’t tell them because killing the lion meant touching its corpse after it was dead. That is a violation of the spirit of the Nazirite vow. Remember, Numbers 6 specifies that a Nazirite could not touch a dead body. In handling the lion’s corpse, Samson has now become ceremonially unclean and defiled before God. But the same thing happens again in verse 9. This time Samson is traveling alone and stops by the vineyard to revisit the scene of his great exploit. He finds that bees have built a honeycomb inside the dried-out carcass of the lion. Stooping down, he scoops out the honey with his hands and eats it as he walks along. Later he gave some honey to his parents but did not tell them where it came from. Why? Because it would force him to reveal that he had touched a dead body. That’s not all. According to verse 10 Samson made a feast “as was customary for bridegrooms.” The feast was like a rehearsal dinner or like a stag party. The Hebrew word for feast is misteh which means “a banquet, an occasion for drinking, a drinking party.” That particular word was used for parties where people got drunk. But Numbers 6 is clear that a Nazirite was not to drink wine or any intoxicating beverages. And here Samson is throwing a key party just before his wedding. Does that mean Samson himself took a drink? No, but it certainly implies that he might have. Let’s just take these two incidents and put them together—Samson and the lion and Samson and the feast. Both of them are coming very close to breaking his Nazirite vow. Samson is now living close to the edge. He’s pushing the outside of the envelope. The only part of his vow that he is clearly keeping is the command not to cut his hair. But if he keeps going down this road, he’ll break that part too. Samson at this point pictures a believer going further and further away from God. If you simply look at his long hair he appears to be dedicated to God, but his lifestyle tells another story. On the outside he looks like a man of God, but on the inside he’s no different than a man of the world. That’s what eventually happens when you drift away from God. You start out innocently enough, testing the water, carefully wandering where you don’t belong, following your emotions to see where they will lead you, casually going your own way, oblivious to those who would warn you of the danger ahead. Eventually your spiritual commitments don’t mean much to you anymore. You end up like Samson, looking spiritual on the outside, but worldly on the inside. (Out of Control) George Bush After a time he returned to take her. An interval of some time, usually ten or twelve months, elapsed between the ceremony of espousals and the marriage. During this time the betrothed bride remained with her parents, that she might provide herself with nuptial ornaments suitable to her station; after which the bridegroom came to fetch her home and take her fully as his wife. The Jews still keep up this custom; the parties being betrothed at least six or twelve months before marriage. During this interval, oriental usage appears to have allowed to the parties but slight communication with each other. Yet what little intercourse they had at all previous to marriage, seems to have been restricted to this term. For, ‘in point of fact, we apprehend,’ says the editor of the Pictorial Bible, ‘that the betrothal was considered necessary to enable a young man to pay to a woman even that limited degree of particular attention which eastern manners allowed.’ This suggestion still further confirms the idea advanced above respecting the ‘talking’ there alluded to. It is quite improbable that it should have taken place between Samson and the young woman herself. The kind of intimacy expressed by the word ‘courtship,’ and so familiar to European manners, appears to have been from remote antiquity entirely unknown in the East. Turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. Heb. מפלת mappeleth, the ruins, the fallen heap. ‘Whilst Samson concealed the event from others, he pondered it in himself; and when he returned to Timnath, went out of the way to see his dead adversary, and could not but recall to himself his danger and deliverance; “Here the beast met me; thus he fought; thus I slew him!” The very dead lion taught Samson thankfulness. The mercies of God are ill bestowed upon us, if we cannot step aside to view the monuments of his deliverances. As Samson had not found his honey-comb, if he had not turned aside to see his lion, so we shall lose the comfort of God’s benefits, if we do not renew our perils by meditation.’ Bp. Hall. A swarm of bees and honey in the carcass. In one respect the preceding note is strikingly confirmed by the present text. It is evident that several months must have elapsed between the first and second visit to Timnath, in order to allow time for the carcass of the lion to become reduced to a dry naked skeleton. The cleanly habits of bees, and their repugnance to impure smells, would not otherwise have permitted them to select it as a habitation. The beautiful episode in the fourth Georgic of Virgil, proves that the ancients believed that bees might be engendered in the dead body of an ox. (resource) Keil and Delitzsch Commentary - he came again to fetch her (take her home, marry her), accompanied, as we learn from v. 9, by his parents. On the way “he turned aside (from the road) to see the carcase of the lion; and behold a swarm of bees was in the body of the lion, also honey.” The word מַפֶּלֶת, which only occurs here, is derived from נָפַל, like πτῶμα from πίπτω, and is synonymous with נְבֵלָה, cadaver, and signifies not the mere skeleton, as bees would not form their hive in such a place, but the carcase of the lion, which had been thoroughly dried up by the heat of the sun, without passing into a state of putrefaction. “In the desert of Arabia the heat of a sultry season will often dry up all the moisture of men or camels that have fallen dead, within twenty-four hours of their decease, without their passing into a state of decomposition and putrefaction, so that they remain for a long time like mummies, without change and without stench” (Rosenmüller, Bibl. Althk. iv. 2, p. 424). In a carcase dried up in this way, a swarm of bees might form their hive, just as well as in the hollow trunks of trees, or clefts in the rock, or where wild bees are accustomed to form them, notwithstanding the fact that bees avoid both dead bodies and carrion (see Bochart, Hieroz, ed. Ros. iii. p. 355). (Judges 14 - Keil & Delitzsch Commentary) Spurgeon's Sermon - Hands full of Honey - Judges 14:8-9 - Here is Spurgeon's introduction (click link for entire message) IT was a singular circumstance that a man unarmed should have slain a lion in the prime of its vigour; and yet more strange that a swarm of bees should have taken possession of the dried carcase, and have filled it with their honey. In that country, what with beasts, birds, and insects, and the dry heat, a dead body is soon cleansed from all corruption, and the bones are clean and white: still the killing of the lion, and the finding of the honey, make up a remarkable story. These singular circumstances became afterwards the subject of a riddle; but with that riddle we have no concern at this time. Samson himself is a riddle. He was not only a riddle-maker; but he was himself an enigma very difficult to explain: with his personal character I have at this time little or nothing to do. We are not to-day resting at the house of “Gaius, mine host,” where the pilgrims amused themselves with a dish of nuts after dinner; but we are on the march, and must attend to the more important matter of refreshing and inspiriting those who are in our company. Neither are we going to discuss difficulties; but as Samson took the honey without being stung, so would we gain instruction without debate. We have in these days so much to do, that we must make practical use of every incident that comes before us in the word of God. My one design is to cheer the desponding and stir up all God’s people to greater diligence in his service. I conceive that the text may legitimately be employed for this purpose. By the help of the divine Spirit, even after this lapse of time, we may find honey in the lion. The particular part of the incident which is recorded in these two verses appears to have been passed over by those who have written upon Samson’s life: I suppose it appeared to be too inconsiderable. They are taken up with his festive riddle, but they omit the far more natural and commendable fact of his bringing forth the honey in his hands and presenting it to his father and mother. This is the little scene to which I direct your glances. It seems to me that the Israelitish hero with a slain lion in the background, standing out in the open road with his hands laden with masses of honeycomb and dripping with honey, which he holds out to his parents, makes a fine picture, worthy of the greatest artist. And what a type we have here of our Divine Lord and Master, Jesus, the conqueror of death and hell. He has destroyed the lion that roared upon us and upon him. He has shouted “victory” over all our foes. “It is finished” was his note of triumph; and now he stands in the midst of his church with his hands full of sweetness and consolation, presenting them to those of whom he says, “these are my brother, and sister, and mother.” To each one of us who believe in him he gives the luscious food which he has prepared for us by the overthrow of our foes; he bids us come and eat that we may have our lives sweetened and our hearts filled with joy. To me the comparison seems wonderfully apt and suggestive: I see our triumphant Lord laden with sweetness, holding it forth to all his brethren, and inviting them to share in his joy. But, beloved, it is written, “As he is, so are we also in this world.” All that are true Christians are, in a measure, like the Christ whose name they bear, and it is to his image that we are finally to be conformed. When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; and meanwhile, in proportion as we see him now. “we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” The Samson type may well serve as the symbol of every Christian in the world. The believer has been helped by divine grace in his spiritual conflicts, and he has known “the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith.” He has thus been made more than a conqueror through him that loved us, and now he stands in the midst of his fellow-men inviting them to Jesus. With the honey in his hands, which he continues still to feast upon, he displays the heavenly sweetness to all that are round about him, saying, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” I have before now met with that popular artist Gustave Doré, and suggested subjects to him. Had he survived among us, and had another opportunity occurred, I would have pressed him to execute a statue of Samson handing out the honey: strength distributing sweetness; and it might have served as a perpetual reminder of what a Christian should be—a Conqueror and a Comforter, slaying lions and distributing honey. The faithful servant of God wrestles with the powers of evil; but with far greater delight he speaks to his friends and companions, saying, “Eat ye that which is good, and let your souls delight themselves in sweetness.” Set the statue before your mind’s eye, and now let me speak about it. Three touches may suffice. First, the believer’s life has its conflicts; secondly, the believer’s life has its sweets; and, thirdly, the believer’s life leads him to communicate of those sweets to others. Here is room for profitable meditation. See Hands full of Honey Judges 14:9 So he scraped the honey into his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they ate it; but he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey out of the body of the lion. 1Sa 14:25-30 Pr 25:15 Judges 14 Resources Related Passage: Numbers 6:6+ ‘All the days of his separation to the LORD he shall not go near to a dead person (ED: MOST VERSIONS SAY A DEAD BODY - SEE NET NOTE). NET NOTE on "dead person." - The Hebrew has נֶפֶשׁ מֵת (nefesh met), literally a “dead person.” But since the word נֶפֶשׁ can also be used for animals, the restriction would be for any kind of corpse. Death was very much a part of the fallen world, and so for one so committed to the LORD, avoiding all such contamination would be a witness to the greatest separation, even in a family. NOW SAMSON MAKES PARENTS RITUALLY UNCLEAN! So he scraped the honey into his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they ate it; but he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey out of the body of the lion Some scholars suggest that Samson violated his Nazirite standard by coming in contact with a dead body (Jdg 13:5). Others reason that Numbers 6:6 specifies the body of a dead person, not an animal. Assuming this was a sin, sad to say, Samson passed the sin along to his parents, and then he made a joke about it to entertain his friends! As a Nazarite and a Jew, he had no right to be sharing in a worldly Philistine wedding. The marriage was never completed, but the seeds of sin had already been planted in his heart. THOUGHT - How many Christians today defile themselves just to enjoy a "little honey in the carcass of a lion" (so to speak) -- watch a popular Netflix series (even though it is Mature Audience rated - e.g., I know of a number of believers who partook of the foul series Game of Thrones), etc. Always beware of "defiled honey," regardless of how "sweet" it is! Warren