Chapter 14:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Joshua Ruth
Judges 14
Concise Complete
Samson desires a wife of the Philistines. (1-4) Samson
kills a lion. (5-9) Samson's riddle. (10-20)
Verses 1-4 As far
as Samson's marriage was a common case, it was weak and foolish of him to set
his affections upon a daughter of the Philistines. Shall one, not only an
Israelite, but a Nazarite, devoted to the Lord, covet to become one with a
worshipper of Dagon? It does not appear that he had any reason to think her wise
or virtuous, or any way likely to be a help meet for him; but he saw something
in her agreeable to his fancy. He that, in the choice of a wife, is only guided
by his eye, and governed by his fancy, must afterwards thank himself if he find
a Philistine in his arms. Yet it was well done not to proceed till Samson had
made his parents acquainted with the matter. Children ought not to marry, nor to
move towards it, without the advice and consent of their parents. Samson's
parents did well to dissuade him from yoking himself unequally with unbelievers.
It seems that it pleased God to leave Samson to follow his own inclinations,
intending to bring out good from his conduct; and his parents consented, because
he was bent upon it. However, his example is not recorded for us to do likewise.
Verses 5-9 By
enabling him to kill a lion, God let Samson know what he could do in the
strength of the Spirit of the Lord, that he might never be afraid to look the
greatest difficulties in the face. He was alone in the vineyards, whither he had
rambled. Young people consider not how they exposed themselves to the roaring
lion that seeks to devour, when they wander from their prudent, pious parents.
Nor do men consider what lions lurk in the vineyards, the vineyards of red
wines. Our Lord Jesus having conquered Satan, that roaring lion, believers, like
Samson, find honey in the carcass abundant strength and satisfaction, enough for
themselves, and for all their friends.
Verses 10-20
Samson's riddle literally meant no more than that he had got honey, for food and
for pleasure, from the lion, which in its strength and fury was ready to devour
him. But the victory of Christ over Satan, by means of his humiliation, agonies,
and death, and the exaltation that followed to him, with the glory thence to the
Father, and spiritual advantages to his people, seem directly alluded to. And
even death, that devouring monster, being robbed of his sting, and stripped of
his horror, forwards the soul to the realms of bliss. In these and other senses,
out of the eater comes forth meat, and out of the strong, sweetness. Samson's
companions obliged his wife to get the explanation from him. A worldly wife, or
a worldly friend, is to a godly man as an enemy in the camp, who will watch
every opportunity to betray him. No union can be comfortable or lasting, where
secrets cannot be intrusted, without danger of being divulged. Satan, in his
temptations, could not do us the mischief he does, if he did not plough with the
heifer of our corrupt nature. His chief advantage against us arises from his
correspondence with our deceitful hearts and inbred lusts. This proved an
occasion of weaning Samson from his new relations. It were well for us, if the
unkindness we meet with from the world, and our disappointments in it, obliged
us by faith and prayer to return to our heavenly Father's house, and to rest
there. See how little confidence is to be put in man. Whatever pretence of
friendship may be made, a real Philistine will soon be weary of a true
Israelite.
Chapter 14:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Joshua Ruth
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
