_SAMSON MARRIES A WIFE OF THE PHILISTINES: HE RENDS A LION IN PIECES, IN WHOSE CARCASE HE AFTERWARDS FINDS A SWARM OF BEES AND HONEY: HE PUTS FORTH A RIDDLE TO HIS COMPANIONS, THE INTERPRETATION OF WHICH HIS WIFE ENTICETH FROM HIM: HE SLAYS THIRTY PHILISTINES._ _Before Christ 1155._ _JUDGES 14:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS FATHER AND MOTHER KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS OF THE LORD, &C.— According to Archbishop Usher's computation, Samson was now twenty-two years old. Every thing was extraordinary, and ought not to be judged of by common rules. The marriage which he solicited, was contrary to the law of Moses; (See Exodus... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, A YOUNG LION ROARED AGAINST HIM— It appears from this and many other passages, that there were lions in Judaea; whence several places had their names. See Joshua 15:32; Joshua 19:6. Every one knows, that a young lion, just come to its full strength, is the fiercest of all the species. Joseph... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER A TIME— In the Hebrew, _after days; i.e._ (as this phrase frequently signifies, and as the circumstances seem to render probable,) after a year; See Exodus 13:10. For it was not usual to celebrate the nuptials between a man and an espoused virgin till twelve months after the espousals. See... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAMSON MADE THERE A FEAST— Nuptial feasts of this kind were usual in all countries. And, no doubt, Samson's riddle was proposed by him in accommodation to the customs of these feasts, as the thirty companions were brought by his wife's friends, as a kind of bridemen to honour his nuptials. See L... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMSON SAID,—I WILL NOW PUT FORTH A RIDDLE UNTO YOU— It was a very ancient custom, as we learn from this, to propose at feasts, enigmas to their guests, in order to exercise their wit, and enliven conversation, instead of passing the whole time in downright eating and drinking. The Greeks derived th... [ Continue Reading ]
THIRTY SHEETS— These were vestments of linen, which were worn next the flesh. See Matthew 27:59. Mark 14:51. & Braunius de Vestit. Sacerd. Heb. lib. cap. 7.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE EATER, &C.— We do not perceive in this version, the opposition which there ought to be between the two latter terms, as there is between the two first; for what opposition is there between _strength_ and _sweetness?_ But, as Bochart has judiciously observed, there is this opposition in th... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MAY DECLARE UNTO US— The LXX. Syriac, and Arabic, instead of _unto us,_ render the passage, _that he may declare unto thee._... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE HAD NOT PLOWED WITH MY HEIFER— A proverbial expression; which signifies no more, than that without the assistance of his wife the Philistines could not have found out his riddle.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SLEW THIRTY MEN OF THEM— This action is prefaced by a declaration, that the _Spirit of the Lord came upon him,_ moving him to so extraordinary a deed, which no one has a right to imitate; for, 1st. The Philistines were considered as in a state of war with the Israelites; they were their tyrants... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMSON'S WIFE WAS GIVEN TO HIS COMPANION— Enraged at his wife for betraying, and at his companions for their mean proceedings; Samson returned to his father's house, and left his wife with her own relations. She, looking upon herself as wholly forsaken, and willing perhaps to unite with her relation... [ Continue Reading ]