Judges 14

Simson seeking opportunity to execute his office against the Philistines of Thimnath, v.1,2,4, etc. wherein his parents being not well contented, nevertheless gratifie him, 3. On the way he meets and tears a young Lion, 5. In whose carcase at his return be findeth boney, 8. Keepeth a marriage-feast, and propounded a Riddle to his adjoined Philistine-companions, with promise and condition of reward, or present, 10. The exposition whereof, his wife, by the instigation of the Philistines, extorteth from him, and discovereth, 15. Wherefore Simson slayeth thirty Philistines of Askelon, and payeth his companions the promised present, 19. His wife is given to another, 20.

1. And Simson went down to Thimnath: [lying in the west of Zora, not far from the mid-land sea] and having seen a woman at Thimnath, of the daughters of the Philistines;

2. Then he went up, and told it his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman at Thimnath, of the daughters of the Philistines: now then, take her for me to wife. [See concerning the right of parents in the marriages of their children, Genesis.21. and 24. On v.3. and 26. On v.34.]

3. But his father said unto him, together with his mother, is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, [i.e. Kindred, or countrymen: see Genesis.13. on v.8. and 24. On v.27.] And among all the people, that thou goest thy ways to take a woman of the Philistines, those uncircumcised (one)? [See Genesis.34.14. with these heathenish inhabitants of Canaan had God forbidden to make any league or marriage: see Exodus.34.12,16. And elsewhere. Wherefore they had cause to heed the revealed command of God, and to reprove Simson, for as much as they were ignorant of the secret providence and purpose of God, (see the following verse) who hath not onely right and power to impose laws upon his creatures, but even to do according to his own good pleasures, but even to do according to his own good pleasure, and to permit something contratry exaordinarily to be done. Compare Genesis.22.2. Exodus.3.22, etc.] Take the same for me, [see Genesis.19. on v.14.] for she is pleasing [Hebrew. Right] in mine eyes.

4. Now his father and his mother knew not that this was of the LORD: [Who hereby intended to give Simson the occasion and opportunity to fulfil his calling and function] that he [viz. Simson: for though he was called to it of God, yet might he so seek to that which without it was good and right, that men could not justly blame him for it] sought occasion of the Philistines: [that they of their side might give occasion to begin against them] for the Philistines at that time had dominion over Israel. [See above chap.13.4.]

5. So Simson went down with his father and his mother to Timnath [being now changed because they imagined and suspected by all that happened before his conception and birth that this must needs be of God and because Simson had covered unto them his purpose and the divine instigation] when they came unto the vineyard of Thimnath behold there met him a young lion roaring [Heb. a young of lions roaring his meeting it seemeth that he was gone down some other way from his parents compare below verse 8.]

6. Then was the spirit of the Lord ready upon him [or fell or came mightily upon him making him extraordinary courageous and strong to fit and qualify him by this proof or experiment for the execution of his office and calling and therein to confirm and strengthen him and also to administer matter unto him for riddle and that which followed thereupon] that he rent [viz. the lion] in twain as he should rent a kid in twain and there was nothing [no instrument or weapon only using his hands] in his hands but he told no of his father and his mother he had done.

7. And he came down and he spake unto the woman [both himself and his parents] and she was pleasing in Simsons eyes [Heb. she was right in Simsons eyes.]

8. After some days [Heb. from or after days see Genesis 4. On verse 3] came he again to take her [that is to marry her] then turned he aside [viz. from the common rod towards the place where he cast the slain and rent lion see on verse 5] to see the carcass of the lion and behold the swarm of bees was in the body was of the lion with honey.

9. And he took the same [viz. the honey] in his hands and went on going and eating and he went unto his father and unto his mother an gave them thereof and they did eat bathe told them not that he had taken the honey out of the body of the lion.

10. Now when his father was come unto that woman then Simson made there a wedding [the Hebrew word signifieth commonly a feast but here is to be understood a wedding feast] for so the young men used to do.

11. And it came to pass when they [viz. the Philistines of the Thimnath who having observed some special things in Simson by his countenance and behavior got mistrust and therefore got under shew and color of honor by this adjoined company which they by the brides friend could perceive with a glance did exceeding hed him.]Saw him that they took [that is they took and brought see Genesis 12 on verse 15] thirty companions that should be with him.

12. Then Simson said unto him now will I give you to advise of a riddle [that is a witty dark and strange saying or sentence under which something is hidden which the words do not declare but which pondering and considering upon it must be found out an then is clear and delightful Heb. as if he should say to riddle a riddle so below verse 13 and 16 Ezekiel 17:2 see further 1 Kings 10 on verse 1] if ye shall well declare [Heb. declaring declare] unto me that in the seven days of this wedding and find out then will I give you thirty fine linen and a sheet shirt or somewhat else there made of to cover one of the night therewith or also to wear in the day the same word we find is used in the new testament in the Greek tongue Matthew 27:50 Mark 14:51,52 and 15.46 Luke 23:53] and thirty changeable suits of apparel made of the same fine linen compare below verse 19Heb. changes and alterations of the garment.]

13. And if ye shall not be able to declare it unto me then shall ye give thirty fine linen garment and thirty changeable garments and they said unto him give thy riddle to advise of Ana let us hear it.

14. And he said unto them meat[or for the handsomeness of a riddle and to come nearer to the Hebrew tongue thus eating as we say bring eating that is the meat upon the table] went forth from[or came forth from] the eater [from whom that used to give no meat from him to devour even all to wit the lion] and sweetness [viz. honey] went forth from the strong[or sweet came forth from the sour or sharp the Hebrew word signifieth not only strong but also hard cruel sharp &c. Sour as we say of very sour vineger that is very strong and a sour countenance is taken for a sourly cruel strong look or countenance] and they could not expound that riddle in three days.

15. Afterwards it came to pass on the seventh day [after the first three days finding that they had profited nothing with their own wit and pains they seem from time to time to have minded the business more seriously and to have tied it faster together by Simsons wife until by their threat and his wife’s craft it happened according to their liking on the seventh day otherwise seven days understanding thereby a part of the seven days] that they said unto Simson’s wife persuade thy husband [induce allure entice him with persuasive words and carriage such doth the Hebrew word signifieth] to expound unto us that riddle lest peradventure they burn thee an they fathers house with fire have yet invited us to possess that which is ours? [Heb. to inherit after us or to possess hereditarily Us that is our good substance because besides the disgrace they should have the loss damage of linen and clothes] is it not so? [others or not?]

16. And Simson’s wife wept before him and said thou doest but hate me [or at least thou hatest me] and doest not love me thou hast given not to the children of my people [viz. to Simsons Philistines companions so in the next verse] a riddle to guess at arid hast not told it me and he said unto her behold I have not told it my father nor my mother an should I tell it thee?

17. And she wept before him on the seventh of the days [Heb. seven that is here on the seventh as 1 Chronicles 5 and so elsewhere often] wherein they had this wedding so it came to pass on the seventh day that he told her for she urged him and she told that riddle to the children of her people.

18. Then said the men of the city unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down what is sweeter then honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them if ye have not ploughed with my heifer [as if he should say if ye had not by means of a wife drawn from me the exposition Tis a Rhetorical phrase taken from the ploughing of husbandmen who by the service of the beast do by in a manner dig and cast up the ground that what ever was hidden therein may be discovered thus did Simson at once upbraid them wittily with his wife’s unfaithfulness and their deceit.]

19. Then was the spirit of the Lord ready upon him[compare above on verse 6] and he went down unto the Askelonites [Heb. Askelon that is those of Askelon as above chapter 1 on verse 27 &c. lying on the borders of Dan beyond tehbrook of Zorek at the midland sea belonging to the tribe of Judah and Simeon but inhabitated by the Philistines see above chapter 1.18] and slew of them thirty men and he took their apparel [ which they had on and he had stripped them off and gave the change garments [so above verse 12] unto those that had expounded the riddle not withstanding his anger kindled and he went up unto his fathers house [leaving his wife for a time see the following chapter verse1] an his wife became his companions [Heb. became to his companions to wit a wife see chapter 15.16] who had accompanied him [see above on verse 11.]

20. No text on verse.