_SAMSON CARRIES AWAY THE GATES OF GAZA: FALLS IN LOVE WITH DELILAH, TO WHOM HE CONFESSES THAT HIS STRENGTH WOULD LEAVE HIM IF HIS HEAD SHOULD BE SHAVEN. HIS HAIR BEING SHAVEN OFF WHILE HE IS ASLEEP, HE IS TAKEN BY THE PHILISTINES; HIS EYES ARE PUT OUT, AND HE GRINDS IN THE PRISON-HOUSE. THE MANNER O... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HILL THAT IS BEFORE HEBRON— Or, a mountainous place, that is, &c. _Hebron_ was twenty miles from Gaza, which was situated near the extremity of the promised land. It is probable, therefore, that this hill, or mountainous place, lay between Gaza and Hebron. It might be rendered, _which looketh tow... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE VALLEY OF SOREK, WHOSE NAME WAS DELILAH— The valley of Sorek, through which passed the river of the same name, and where, in the times of Eusebius and St. Jerome, stood the village of _Cephar-sorek,_ was situated to the north of Eleutheropolis, near Zorah, the place of Samson's birth. This pl... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL GIVE—ELEVEN HUNDRED PIECES OF SILVER— By which, says Bishop Patrick, is commonly understood so many shekels; for the Jews make it a rule, that where _pieces of silver_ are mentioned, shekels are meant; the whole sum amounted to about 344£. _JUDGES 16:7. WEAK_— _Worn away._ Schult. p. 268.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU WEAVEST THE SEVEN LOCKS OF MY HEAD WITH THE WEB— The LXX render the passage thus: If thou shalt weave the locks of my head, and shalt fasten them with a pin in the wall, I shall be deprived of my strength, and become like other men, Judges 16:14. When he slept, Delilah took the seven locks o... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOLD HER ALL HIS HEART— It was natural to suppose, that God would forsake a man who had forsaken Him to plunge into the excess of a criminal passion. Samson, softened by the caresses of Delilah, chagrined by her reproaches, overcome by her tears, could no longer resist her pressing solicitations.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE BEGAN TO AFFLICT HIM— i.e. (in the sense wherein this word is frequently used,) to _humble_ and _bring him low;_ for as soon as the razor touched his head, his strength began to be diminished.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHILISTINES TOOK HIM, &C.— The design of the Philistines in putting out Samson's eyes, was to prevent him from undertaking any future enterprize against them; thus, by the just judgment of God, the _concupiscence of the eyes_ was punished very remarkably in him. But a further punishment was prep... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT THE HAIR OF HIS HEAD BEGAN TO GROW AGAIN— We are to understand by this, not merely that, Samson's hair growing again, he thereby recovered his strength; but that, sensible, no doubt, of his folly and imprudence, he renewed his vow of Nazariteship, and in a state of penitence implored the par... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE LORDS OF THE PHILISTINES, &C.— _Then,_ that is, some time after Samson had been in prison, his hair having grown again to a considerable length, the Philistines prepared to celebrate their annual festival in honour of Dagon, to whom they conceived themselves indebted for this triumph over t... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE HOUSE WAS FULL, &C.— It is not certain, whether this was the temple of Dagon, or a kind of theatre built for public sports. Dr. Shaw gives us the best commentary on this passage. "This method of building," says he, whereof he had just spoken, "may further assist us in accounting for the part... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAMSON CALLED UNTO THE LORD, &C.— We must always consider Samson in the light of an extraordinary person, immediately raised up by God for the chastisement of the Philistines. In this view his death was heroic, as he voluntarily sacrificed himself, by the only means in his power, to the service... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE DEAD WHICH HE SLEW AT HIS DEATH, &C.— And those whom he slew at his death were more than those whom he had slain in his life. Houb. It is plain, that this event must have greatly reduced the Philistines, as they made no sort of opposition to the burying of Samson who had wrought such destruct... [ Continue Reading ]