Dave Burnette's Commentary

Judges Chapter 14

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Samuel 
Date Penned: (550 BC)
Overview: A Record of Israel's Compromise in the Promised Land (c 1-21)
Theme: The Rescue of Israel by the Judges (c 3-16)
Message: Samson Asks a Riddle (v 1-20)

Judges 14 Commentary

(14:3) Samson's Parents Object to His Marriage - Samson's parents objected to his marrying the Philistine woman for at least two reasons: (1) It was against God's law (Exodus 34:15-17; Deuteronomy 7:1-4). A stark example of what happened when the Israelites married pagans can be found in Judges 3:5-7. (2) The Philistines were Israel's greatest enemies. Marriage to a hated Philistine would be a disgrace to Samson's family. But Samson's father gave in to Samson's demand and allowed the marriage, even though he had the right to refuse his son.


(14:6) The Lord Grants Samson Strength - "The Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him" refers to the way the Spirit of the Lord granted Samson unusual physical strength. This increase in physical strength seems to be the only way Samson was affected by this.


(14:8) An Answer to the Riddle - "If ye had not plowed with my heifer" means "If you had not manipulated my wife." If they hadn't threatened his wife, they wouldn't have learned the answer to his riddle.


(14:19) Samson Misuses His Gift - God gave Samson a special gift, and Samson impulsively used it for selfish purposes. God distributes abilities and skills throughout the church today (1 Corinthians 12). The apostle Paul states that these gifts are to be used "for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). To use these abilities for selfish purposes is to rob the church and fellow believers of strength. As you use the gifts God has given you, be sure you are helping others, not just yourself.

 

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Unequally Yoked

 

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Judges with Chapter 14 and we see we continue looking at Samson's life as he takes a wife of the Philistines. His parents disapproved but finally gave in to his desires even though it was against God's law and a disgrace to his family. In making application we see a parallel of a Christian dating and marring a non believer. I have heard many say that they will change the other spouse to see a marriage end up in divorce. In society today we need to stress to our young people the importance of this principle. Casual dating should replaced with courting and fellowship provided in youth group outings and functions that take the pressure off the 1 on 1 relationships that knit hearts together prematurely. God will provide young people with a spouse in the right season but if we rush this process we will end up with someone who we are unequally yoked. How about you? Do you see the importance in this application of our text? Let us learn from Samson's life and teach our young people this principle so they will avoid being unequally yoked.

 

.
Judges 14

Judges 14

 1And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

 2And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

 3Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there 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.

 4But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

 5Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

 6And the Spirit of the LORD 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.

 7And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well.

 8And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

 9And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.

 10So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.

 11And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

 12And 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 change of garments:

 13But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

 14And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.

 15And it came to pass 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?

 16And 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 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?

 17And she wept before him the 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.

 18And 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, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

 19And the Spirit of the LORD 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.

 20But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.