Judges 14:3

Judges 14:3 a

‘Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there never a woman among the daughters of your kinsfolk, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” '

His father and mother were upset about his intentions. They were very much aware that he was the chosen of Yahweh, and this intermarriage with a foreigner, even if she was not a Canaanite and therefore forbidden (Judges 3:6; Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:1), was displeasing to them. Indeed the Philistines were uncircumcised, which told against them. Most people in Canaan underwent circumcision at some time. Furthermore the Philistines had taken to worshipping Canaanite gods and were to all intents and purposes Canaanite. Could he not choose an Israelite woman for his wife? Was there not plenty of choice there?

Judges 14:3 b

‘And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me greatly.” '

His father would have to conduct the negotiations and agree the dowry and wedding gifts. So Samson ignored their concerns and asked his father to proceed with the matter because of the great esteem he had for her. Here we must read between the lines. Either he knew that she was sympathetic to Yahwism, or he was patently breaking his vows. The fact that God continued to strengthen him even while on the way to his marriage suggests the latter.