Judges 14
DOYLYJudges 14:3
- — to take a wife &c.] The Israelites were forbidden by their law to intermarry with any inhabitants of Canaan, Exod. xxiv. 16; Deut. vii. 3. Though the Philistines were not of the seven nations of Canaan, yet they were under the same condemnation, and their land was given to the Israelites. Bp. Patrick. Of all the
Judges 14:4
- — knew not that it was of the Lord.] The expression, “it was of the Lord,” means, that God intended to fetch good out of Samson’s evil; not to approve that for good in his conduct, which seems to have been really evil. Bp. Hall.
Judges 14:6
- — the Spirit of the Lord came — upon him.] The Lord endued him suddenly with an extraordinary measure of strength. Bp. Hall.
Judges 14:8
- — a swarm of bees—in the carcase of the lion.] It is observed by some naturalists, that bees abhor stinking smells, and abstain from flesh; on which account it may be thought strange that a swarm of bees should be found in the carcase of the lion. It may be well supposed, however, that either time may have consumed, or birds and beasts devoured, all the flesh, so that only the skeleton was left. Stackhouse.
Judges 14:10
- — for so used the young men] This was according to the custom of all countries; the feast was called by the Jews the nuptial joy, with which no other was to be intermixed; and all labour ceased as long as it lasted. Bp. Patrick.
Judges 14:12
- — I will now put forth a riddle] This shews how ancient was the custom, which we find afterwards amongst the Greeks, of proposing questions to be resolved in their festival meetings, in order to exercise and sharpen the wits of the company. Bp. Patrick. This riddle of Samson is an instance from Scripture of a custom common in the East; the proposing of ambiguities and enigmas for solution to a party met for merriment. Script. illustr.
Judges 14:17
- — she lay sore upon him.] Made him uneasy by her importunities. Bp. Patrick.
Judges 14:18
- — If ye had not plowed with my heifer,] If ye had not tampered with my wife. Dr. Hales. Used the He is denied his wife. He burneth the Philistines’ corn. Before CHRIST about 1141. Or, apparat. 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.
Judges 14:19
- — went up to his father’s house.] Left his wife with her own relations, and went to live at home with his father. Bp. Patrick.
Judges 14:20
- But Samson’s wife was given to his companion.] We can no more justify Samson in the leaving of his wife, than in choosing her. He chose her, because she pleased him; and because she deceived him, he left her. Though her fear made her false to him in his riddle, yet she was true to his bed; that weak treachery was worthy of a check, not of a desertion. Slight occasions may not break the knot of matrimonial love; and, if any just offence have slackened it on either part, it must be fastened again by speedy reconciliation. Bp. Hall. Chap. XV. ver. 1. — with a kid.] This was no contemptible present, as appears from the story of Judah and Tamar, Gen. xxxviii. 17. The flesh of a kid was esteemed delicious food, not only in Judea, but in other countries. Bp. Patrick.