And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. Ver. 1. _And Samson went down to Timnath._] Whether to the market, or the sports, or some great feast, &c., it is not recorded; but God had an overruling hand in this journey for the punishment of the P... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife._ Ver. 2. _Now therefore get her for me to wife._] Though set upon it, and, as some gather from Judges 14:4, warranted by God to do... [ Continue Reading ]
Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. Ver. 3. _Then his father an... [ Continue Reading ]
But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Ver. 4. _For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel._] Who had haply sworn fealty and subjection to the Phi... [ Continue Reading ]
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. Ver. 5. _Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother._] Who were overcome by his importunity; and being loath to cross his desires, yielded... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. Ver. 6. _And he rent him as he would have rent a kid._] So did the Lord Christ subdue the devil in the desert,... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. Ver. 7. _And he went down, and talked with the woman._] Treated with her about the marriage, and perhaps was contracted to her; for that also was in use amongst the heathens. “ _Placuit despondi, nuptiis hic dictus est dies.... [ Continue Reading ]
And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, [there was] a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. Ver. 8. _And after a time._] Some convenient time there must be betwixt the contract and the wedding, but let it not be over l... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion._ Ver. 9. _And went on eating._] So must we pass on toward our heavenly Father's house, feedi... [ Continue Reading ]
So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do. Ver. 10. _So his father went down to the woman._] To warn her of the wedding, and that she might make ready. _ For so used the young men to do,_] _sc., _ When they were married. And surely a fea... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him. Ver. 11. _And it came to pass, when they saw him._] His stature, strength, countenance, carriage, &c. _ That they brought thirty companions to be with him._] _Honoris quidem specie, sed cautionis ergo:_ und... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find [it] out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: Ver. 12. _I will now put forth a riddle unto you._] He prudently took no noti... [ Continue Reading ]
But if ye cannot declare [it] me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. Ver. 13. _Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it._] _Et intelligemus illud,_ that is, by expounding it we will manifest that we... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. Ver. 14. _Out of the eater came forth meat._] _Vorator cibat, et crudelis delectat._ This was the problem or riddle, made up of contraries, as ma... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? [is it] not [so]? Ver. 15. _On the seventh day, that they said._] Being... [ Continue Reading ]
And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told [it] me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told [it] my father nor my mother, and shall I tell [it] thee? Ver. 16. And Samson'... [ Continue Reading ]
And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. Ver. 17. _And she wept before him the seven days._] Or, Unto the seventh day; this was no... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What [is] sweeter than honey? and what [is] stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. Ver. 18. _If ye had not ploughed with my heifer._] His wif... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. Ver. 19. _And the Spirit of the Lord came upo... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Samson's wife was [given] to his companion, whom he had used as his friend._ Ver. 20. But Samson's wife was given to his companion.] To his Paranymph _a_ Joh 3:29 the first and chief brideman, his bosom friend, who haply had ploughed with this wanton heifer before. Wrongs done by a friend are... [ Continue Reading ]