College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 14 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 14
Preparations for Samson's marriage in Philistia. Samson saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. He asked his father and mother to arrange for marriage. They hesitated but were not firm in opposing the marriage. Consequently, arrangements were made for the marriage; and Samson, his mother, and his father went down to Philistia for the wedding feast.
Samson's riddle. The famous riddle of SamsonOut of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetarose out of his experience with the lion. He had killed the lion and later had found bees with honey in the carcase. He had taken this honey and eaten it. He challenged the Philistines at the marriage feast. He said he would give them thirty changes of raiment if they guessed his riddle. If they could not guess it, they were to give him an equal amount of clothing. After seven days the Philistines persuaded his wife to find out the meaning. She then told her friends; and as a result, Samson was expected to award the prize.
Samson's first slaughter of the Philistines. Since the Philistines had tricked Samson into revealing the meaning himself, Samson was enraged. He went and slew thirty Philistines and gave their clothing to the scheming lords of the Philistines. From this point forward, he becomes the great protagonist against the Philistines on behalf of Israel.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Ruined character often begins at home. Samson's unbridled passion was evident to his parents, but they were not strong enough to oppose him. The Scripture writer says that it was of the Lord to find an occasion against the Philistines. Sometimes even what appears bad can turn out for the good; but more often than not, such a spoiled child as Samson proves to be a grief to his parents.
2.
Broken vows lead to broken hearts. Samson was a Nazarite. As a Nazarite he was not supposed to eat anything unclean. He was not even to touch a dead body. He not only touched the carcass of the dead lion, but took food out of it and ate it. This was the first of the parts of his vow which he broke. God suffered long with him; but when he openly flaunted his breaking of his oath by allowing his hair to be cut, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him (Judges 16:20).
3.
Affairs of the heart run deep, The Philistines used Samson's wife to find out the meaning of his riddle, Her love for him was not true, but Samson was shocked when he found marriage vows were so lightly esteemed among the Philistines as to allow his father-in-law to give his wife to another man. When he learned that his wife had been married to another, he brought a great destruction upon the land of the Philistines. Many men have committed heinous crimes because the marriage vows which have been exchanged are lightly esteemed by their partners. In a very real sense, they twain become one; and any violation of this principle brings great-distress.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 14
1.
In what city did the Philistine woman whom Samson wanted to marry live?
2.
What kind of animal did Samson kill?
3.
What kind of food did Samson get from the carcass of the dead animal?
4.
How many companions were given to Samson at the wedding feast?
5.
How many days did Samson give the Philistines to learn the meaning of his riddle?
6.
What reward did Samson promise to give the Philistines if they learned the meaning of his riddle?
7.
What was Samson's riddle?
8.
What was the answer to Samson's riddle?
9.
Where did Samson go to kill the Philistine men?
10.
How many men did he kill?