14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there]
a never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or
among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the
uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father,
Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
(a) Though his parents justly reprove him, yet it appears
that this was the secret work of the Lord,
(Jdg 14:4).
14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the
LORD, that he sought an occasion against the b
Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion
over Israel.
(b) To fight against them for the deliverance of Israel.
14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD c came mightily upon him, and
he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and [he had]
nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his
mother what he had done.
(c) By which he had strength and boldness.
14:10 So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made
there a d feast; for so used the young men to do.
(d) Meaning when he was married.
14:11 And it came to pass, when e they saw him, that they
brought thirty companions to be with him.
(e) That is, her parents or friends.
14:12 And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle
unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the
seven days of the feast, and find [it] out, then I will
give you thirty sheets and thirty f change of garments:
(f) To wear at feasts, or solemn days.
14:15 And it came to pass g on the seventh day, that they said
unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may
declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy
father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that
we have? [is it] not [so]?
(g) Or as the seventh day drew near, for it was the fourth
day.
14:16 And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but
hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle
unto the h children of my people, and hast not told [it]
me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told [it] my
father nor my mother, and shall I tell [it] thee?
(h) To those who are of my nation.
14:17 And she wept before him the i seven days, while their
feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that
he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told
the riddle to the children of her people.
(i) Or, to the seventh day beginning at the fourth.
14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day
before the sun went down, What [is] sweeter than honey?
and what [is] stronger than a lion? And he said unto them,
k If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found
out my riddle.
(k) If you had not used the help of my wife.
14:19 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down
l 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.
(l) Which was one of the five chief cities of the
Philistines.
