Judges 14

In Judges 14, Samson's journey as a judge of Israel begins with his desire to marry a Philistine woman. His interactions with the Philistines show both his personal weaknesses and the providence of God, who uses Samson’s decisions to initiate conflict with Israel’s enemies. The chapter highlights Samson’s strength, his impulsive nature, and how God works through him despite his flaws.

Judges 14:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
2 So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.”
3 Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”
4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
5 So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah.

Samson's desire for a Philistine wife is an example of his impulsive behavior, disregarding the cultural and religious boundaries between Israel and the Philistines. His parents object, highlighting the tension between Israel and their oppressors, yet they do not understand that God intends to use this situation to provoke conflict with the Philistines. The Philistines' dominion over Israel at this time makes it clear that Samson's life will be intertwined with God's plan to deliver Israel from their oppressors.

Judges 14:6 (NKJV)
6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

The sudden appearance of the lion represents danger, but Samson’s supernatural strength, given by the Spirit of the Lord, allows him to defeat it with ease. This shows the extraordinary power that God has granted him, but also highlights Samson’s secrecy, as he keeps this event hidden from his parents. It foreshadows his later conflicts with the Philistines.

Judges 14:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Then he went down and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.
8 After some time, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion.
9 He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.

Samson’s fascination with the woman leads to further interaction, but his return to the carcass of the lion reveals something more significant. Finding honey in a dead animal was unusual and possibly unclean according to Israelite law. However, Samson takes the honey and shares it with his parents without revealing its source, again keeping secrets. This act shows his disregard for the law and foreshadows his future compromises.

Judges 14:10-11 (NKJV)
10 So his father went down to the woman. And Samson gave a feast there, for young men used to do so.
11 And it happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

As part of the wedding customs, Samson holds a feast, which was likely filled with drinking, despite Samson’s Nazirite vow of abstinence. The Philistines assign thirty companions to him, possibly to keep an eye on this outsider, demonstrating the underlying tension between the Israelites and the Philistines, even in this social setting.

Judges 14:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then Samson said to them, “Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.
13 But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” And they said to him, “Pose your riddle, that we may hear it.”
14 So he said to them:
“Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet.”
Now for three days they could not explain the riddle.

Samson uses a riddle based on his experience with the lion and honey, turning it into a wager. The riddle is a clever way for Samson to take advantage of the Philistines, as they would have no knowledge of the lion incident. This shows his wit, but also his pride and willingness to provoke a challenge.

Judges 14:15-18 (NKJV)
15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, or else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?”
16 Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, “You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so should I explain it to you?”
17 Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people.
18 So the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down:
“What is sweeter than honey?
And what is stronger than a lion?”
And he said to them:
“If you had not plowed with my heifer,
You would not have solved my riddle!”

The Philistines, desperate and afraid of losing the wager, threaten Samson’s wife, forcing her to manipulate Samson into revealing the answer. Samson eventually succumbs to her persistent pressure, leading to the betrayal of his secret. This event reveals Samson’s susceptibility to emotional manipulation and the strained relationship between him and his wife. His bitter response upon realizing he was betrayed shows his anger and pride.

Judges 14:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So his anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father’s house.
20 And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.

In a rage, Samson is empowered by the Spirit of the Lord once again, and he kills thirty Philistines to fulfill the terms of the wager. His anger and the resulting violence show the intensity of the conflict between him and the Philistines. Samson leaves in anger, and in his absence, his wife is given to another man, further complicating his relationship with the Philistines and setting the stage for future conflict.