Judges Chapter 14

Samson's Marriage

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.

Samson's Riddle

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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Samson’s Marriage

1 Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 He came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me as wife.” 3 Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there never a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, that you go to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” Samson said to his father, “Get her for me; for she pleases me well.” 4 But his father and his mother didn’t know that it was of Yahweh; for he sought an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines had rule over Israel.

5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnah, and came to the vineyards of Timnah: and behold, a young lion roared against him. 6 The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on him, and he tore him as he would have torn a young goat; and he had nothing in his hand: but he didn’t tell his father or his mother what he had done. 7 He went down, and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson well.

Samson’s Riddle

8 After a while he returned to take her; and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. 9 He took it into his hands, and went on, eating as he went; and he came to his father and mother, and gave to them, and they ate: but he didn’t tell them that he had taken the honey out of the body of the lion.

10 His father went down to the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do. 11 It happened, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.

12 Samson said to them, “Let me tell you a riddle now. If you can declare it to me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing; 13 but if you can’t declare it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.” They said to him, “Put forth your riddle, that we may hear it.”

14 He said to them, “Out of the eater came forth food. Out of the strong came forth sweetness.” They couldn’t in three days declare the riddle.

15 It happened on the seventh day, that they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband, that he may declare to us the riddle, lest we burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you called us to impoverish us? Is it not so?” 16 Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, “You just hate me, and don’t love me. You have put forth a riddle to the children of my people, and haven’t told it me.” He said to her, “Behold, I haven’t told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell you?” 17 She wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it happened on the seventh day, that he told her, because she pressed him severely; and she told the riddle to the children of her people.

18 The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” He said to them, “If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you wouldn’t have found out my riddle.”

19 The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and struck thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave the changes of clothing to those who declared the riddle. His anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house. 20 But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend.

Samson’s Marriage

1 One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman. 2 So he returned and told his father and mother, “I have seen a daughter of the Philistines in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.”

3 But his father and mother replied, “Can’t you find a young woman among your relatives or among any of our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”

But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, for she is pleasing to my eyes.” 4 (Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines; for at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.)

5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, 6 and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. 7 Then Samson continued on his way down and spoke to the woman, because she was pleasing to his eyes.

Samson’s Riddle

8 When Samson returned later to take her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and in it was a swarm of bees, along with their honey. 9 So he scooped some honey into his hands and ate it as he went along. And when he returned to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.

10 Then his father went to visit the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegroom. 11 And when the Philistines saw him, a they selected thirty men to accompany him.

12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 13 But if you cannot solve it, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.”

“Tell us your riddle,” they replied. “Let us hear it.”

14 So he said to them:

“Out of the eater came something to eat,

and out of the strong came something sweet.”

For three days they were unable to explain the riddle. 15 So on the fourth b day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?”

16 Then Samson’s wife came to him, weeping, and said, “You hate me! You do not really love me! You have posed to my people a riddle, but have not explained it to me.”

“Look,” he said, “I have not even explained it to my father or mother, so why should I explain it to you?”

17 She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much, he told her the answer. And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.

18 Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson:

“What is sweeter than honey?

And what is stronger than a lion?”

So he said to them:

“If you had not plowed with my heifer,

you would not have solved my riddle!”

19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave their clothes to those who had solved the riddle. And burning with anger, Samson returned to his father’s house, 20 and his wife was given to one of the men who had accompanied him.

Footnotes:

11 a Or when the bride’s parents saw him ; literally when they saw him
15 b LXX and Syriac; Hebrew seventh

Samson's Marriage

1And Samson goeth down to Timnath, and seeth a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines, 2and cometh up and declareth to his father, and to his mother, and saith, 'A woman I have seen in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines; and now, take her for me for a wife.' 3And his father saith to him -- also his mother, 'Is there not among the daughters of thy brethren, and among all my people, a woman, that thou art going to take a woman from the uncircumcised Philistines?' and Samson saith unto his father, 'Take her for me, for she is right in mine eyes.' 4And his father and his mother have not known that from Jehovah it is, that a meeting he is seeking of the Philistines; and at that time the Philistines are ruling over Israel.

5And Samson goeth down -- also his father and his mother, to Timnath, and they come unto the vineyards of Timnath, and lo, a lion's whelp roareth at meeting him, 6and the Spirit of Jehovah prospereth over him, and he rendeth it as the rending of a kid, and there is nothing in his hand, and he hath not declared to his father and to his mother that which he hath done. 7And he goeth down and speaketh to the woman, and she is right in the eyes of Samson;

Samson's Riddle

8and he turneth back after some days to take her, and turneth aside to see the carcase of the lion, and lo, a company of bees are in the body of the lion -- and honey. 9And he taketh it down on to his hands, and goeth on, going and eating; and he goeth unto his father, and unto his mother, and giveth to them, and they eat, and he hath not declared to them that from the body of the lion he took down the honey.

10And his father goeth down unto the woman, and Samson maketh there a banquet, for so the young men do; 11and it cometh to pass when they see him, that they take thirty companions, and they are with him.

12And Samson saith to them, 'Let me, I pray you, put forth to you a riddle; if ye certainly declare it to me in the seven days of the banquet, and have found it out, then I have given to you thirty linen shirts, and thirty changes of garments; 13and if ye are not able to declare it to me, then ye have given to me thirty linen shirts, and thirty changes of garments.' And they say to him, 'Put forth thy riddle, and we hear it!'

14And he saith to them: 'Out of the eater came forth meat, And out of the strong came forth sweetness;' and they were not able to declare the riddle in three days.

15And it cometh to pass, on the seventh day, that they say to Samson's wife, 'Entice thy husband, that he declare to us the riddle, lest we burn thee and the house of thy father with fire; to possess us have ye called for us? is it not?' 16And Samson's wife weepeth for it, and saith, 'Thou hast only hated me, and hast not loved me; the riddle thou hast put forth to the sons of my people -- and to me thou hast not declared it;' and he saith to her, 'Lo, to my father and to my mother I have not declared it -- and to thee I declare it!' 17And she weepeth for it the seven days in which their banquet hath been, and it cometh to pass on the seventh day that he declareth it to her, for she hath distressed him; and she declareth the riddle to the sons of her people.

18And the men of the city say to him on the seventh day, before the sun goeth in: -- 'What is sweeter than honey? And what stronger than a lion?' And he saith to them: 'Unless ye had ploughed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle.'

19And the Spirit of Jehovah prospereth over him, and he goeth down to Ashkelon, and smiteth of them thirty men, and taketh their armour, and giveth the changes to those declaring the riddle; and his anger burneth, and he goeth up to the house of his father; 20and Samson's wife becometh his companion's, who is his friend.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Judges 14?

2Introduction to Judges 14

3Context of Judges 14

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

6Judges 14 Unique Insights

7Judges 14 Connections to Yeshua

8Judges 14 Scriptural Echoes

9Judges 14 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Judges 14?

Introduction to Judges 14

Judges 14 presents one of the most intriguing narratives in the book of Judges, focusing on Samson’s marriage pursuit and his initial conflicts with the Philistines. This chapter introduces us to the paradoxical nature of Samson’s calling, where his personal desires become mysteriously intertwined with God’s sovereign plan to begin delivering Israel from Philistine oppression. The narrative skillfully weaves together elements of romance, riddles, and divine providence, showcasing how יהוה can work through even the most unlikely circumstances and flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes.

The chapter serves as a masterclass in understanding how God’s sovereign plans can operate through human free will, even when those choices appear to contradict His law. Through Samson’s controversial marriage pursuit, we witness the complex interplay between divine purpose and human agency, making this chapter particularly relevant for contemporary readers wrestling with questions of God’s will and human responsibility.

Context of Judges 14

Within the book of Judges, Chapter 14 marks the beginning of Samson’s adult ministry and his divinely orchestrated confrontations with the Philistines. This chapter follows the remarkable account of his birth announcement in Chapter 13, where his parents received divine instructions about raising him as a Nazirite. The narrative fits into the larger cycle of Israel’s judges, but with a unique twist – unlike previous judges who rallied armies, Samson operates as a lone warrior, and his personal life becomes the catalyst for God’s judgment against the Philistines.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter illustrates the deteriorating conditions in Israel during the period of the Judges. The fact that Samson, a Nazirite and judge of Israel, seeks marriage with a Philistine woman reveals how far Israel had fallen from their calling to be separate from the surrounding nations. Yet, paradoxically, this very situation becomes God’s means of intervention. This chapter connects thematically with earlier narratives of God using unlikely circumstances to achieve His purposes, such as Rahab’s integration into Israel (Joshua 2:1) and Ruth’s redemption story.

The chapter also sets up important themes that will recur throughout Scripture: the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, the concept of being set apart (as in Samson’s Nazirite vow), and God’s ability to work through flawed human instruments. These themes find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah, who, unlike Samson, perfectly fulfilled His calling as God’s set-apart one.

Ancient Key Word Study

“Rightly” (v.4) – תָּאַן (ta’an): This rare Hebrew word, appearing only here and in 1 Kings 9:12, carries the connotation of “fitting into God’s purposes.” The word suggests divine orchestration rather than mere permission, indicating that Samson’s seemingly inappropriate desire was mysteriously woven into God’s sovereign plan.
“Spirit of the LORD” (v.6) – רוּחַ יהוה (ruach Yahweh): This phrase denotes divine empowerment for specific tasks. When used with צָלַח (tsalach, “rushed”), it implies sudden, overwhelming divine enabling. This combination appears primarily in accounts of Samson and Saul, highlighting supernatural empowerment for specific tasks.
“Young Lion” (v.5) – כְּפִיר אֲרָיוֹת (kfir arayot): This term specifically refers to a lion in its prime, emphasizing the magnitude of Samson’s Spirit-enabled victory. The word כְּפִיר suggests a lion that has just reached maturity – the most dangerous stage.
“Riddle” (v.12) – חִידָה (chidah): More than just a puzzle, this word carries the idea of a “dark saying” or “mystery speech.” It’s the same word used for prophetic utterances, suggesting deeper spiritual significance to Samson’s riddle.
“Honey” (v.8) – דְּבַשׁ (devash): In biblical Hebrew, this word represents both natural honey and divine sweetness. It often symbolizes God’s word (Psalm 119:103) and the good things God brings from judgment.
“Plowed with my heifer” (v.18) – חֲרַשְׁתֶּם בְּעֶגְלָתִי (charashtem be’eglati): This idiom implies unauthorized use of someone’s property. The agricultural metaphor emphasizes the betrayal of trust and intimate relationships.
“Came upon him” (v.19) – צָלַח (tsalach): This verb, when used with the Spirit of God, indicates divine empowerment that transforms the recipient for a specific purpose. It’s the same word used to describe the Spirit’s work in transforming Saul into a new man.
“Companions” (v.11) – מֵרֵעִים (mere’im): This word specifically denotes close associates or friends, but carries an undertone of potential betrayal, as seen in its usage in Psalm 38:11.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1’s phrase “went down to Timnah” is significant because it’s both geographical (Timnah was literally lower than Samson’s hometown) and spiritual, echoing Israel’s moral descent. The Hebrew יָרַד (yarad) could have been replaced with הָלַךְ (halach, “went”), but the chosen word emphasizes the spiritual implications of Samson’s journey.
In verse 4, “He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines” uses בִּקֵּשׁ (biqqesh) rather than מָצָא (matsa, “found”). This choice emphasizes active divine providence rather than passive circumstance, showing God’s sovereign direction in what appeared to be Samson’s wayward behavior.
The description of the Spirit “rushing” upon Samson (צָלַח) in verse 6 differs from the typical “came upon” (הָיָה עַל). This intensified language emphasizes the supernatural and sudden nature of divine empowerment.
Verse 8’s “swarm of bees” (עֲדַת דְּבוֹרִים) uses עֲדַת rather than the more common קָהָל, possibly to echo the congregation (עֵדָה) of Israel, creating a subtle parallel between the bees inhabiting the dead lion and Israel inhabiting the Promised Land.
The riddle in verse 14 uses חִידָה (chidah) rather than מָשָׁל (mashal, “proverb”), suggesting this wasn’t merely a clever saying but contained deeper spiritual significance regarding life coming from death.
In verse 15, “entice” (פַּתִּי) is used instead of the more common שָׁאַל (“ask”), emphasizing the manipulative nature of the Philistines’ request and foreshadowing later betrayals in Samson’s life.
The Spirit’s empowerment in verse 19 uses אַפּוֹ (“his anger”) in connection with divine enabling, showing how even Samson’s emotions were incorporated into God’s sovereign plan.

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Judges 14 Unique Insights

The rabbinical commentary Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer provides a fascinating insight into Samson’s encounter with the lion, suggesting that the honey in the carcass symbolized the Torah’s sweetness emerging from apparent destruction, much like the Messiah’s victory would later emerge from apparent defeat. This interpretation gains credence when we consider that the Hebrew word for honey (דְּבַשׁ) is numerically equivalent to the word for “word” (דָּבָר), both equaling 206 in gematria.

The Midrash Rabbah draws attention to the parallel between Samson’s riddle and the exodus from Egypt – both scenarios involve sweetness (freedom/honey) emerging from the strong (Pharaoh/lion). This parallel suggests that Samson’s personal story was meant to echo Israel’s national redemption narrative, pointing forward to an ultimate Deliverer who would bring life from death.

A particularly profound insight emerges from the timing of these events. The text specifically mentions Samson “went down” to Timnah during the grape harvest, a detail that creates tension with his Nazirite vow to avoid grapes. This seemingly incidental detail reveals how God can work through our weaknesses – while Samson was literally surrounded by what he should have been avoiding, God was using even this compromised situation for His purposes.

The supernatural element of bees making honey in a lion’s carcass deserves special attention. Bees naturally avoid carrion, making this detail a clear sign of divine intervention. This miraculous occurrence serves as a prophetic picture of how God brings sweetness from judgment and life from death – a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua’s resurrection.

Judges 14 Connections to Yeshua

The narrative of Judges 14 contains several prophetic shadows that point to the Messiah’s future work. Just as Samson’s pursuit of a gentile bride led to conflict with and victory over Israel’s enemies, so too would Yeshua’s pursuit of His bride (including the Gentiles) lead to ultimate victory over the spiritual forces opposing God’s people. The parallel becomes even more striking when we consider that both Samson and Yeshua were announced by angels, set apart from birth, and empowered by the Spirit for their missions.

The riddle of sweetness coming from the strong and food from the eater finds its deepest fulfillment in Yeshua’s death and resurrection. Just as life-giving honey emerged from the dead lion, so too would eternal life spring forth from the Lion of Judah’s death. This theme of life emerging from death becomes a central motif in Messianic prophecy, fulfilled perfectly in Yeshua’s words: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

Judges 14 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The Spirit rushing upon Samson echoes the empowerment of other leaders like Saul (1 Samuel 10:10) and David (1 Samuel 16:13). The theme of honey emerging from the lion’s carcass finds parallel in Joseph’s statement that God meant for good what others meant for evil (Genesis 50:20).

The narrative also connects to Song of Solomon 8:6, where love is described as strong as death, and to Isaiah 53:2, where the Messiah is described as a root out of dry ground – both emphasizing the theme of life emerging from seemingly impossible circumstances. The betrayal by Samson’s wife foreshadows later biblical betrayals, including Judas’s betrayal of Yeshua.

Judges 14 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to recognize God’s sovereign hand even in circumstances that appear to contradict His will. While we should never use this as an excuse for sin, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted even by our failures. Just as He used Samson’s inappropriate desire for a Philistine wife to begin Israel’s deliverance, He can use our missteps as part of His redemptive plan when we submit to His lordship.

The narrative also teaches us about spiritual strength. Samson’s physical strength came from the Spirit of God, not from his own abilities. This reminds us that true spiritual victory comes not through our own power but through yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. The riddle’s solution – honey from the lion – encourages us to trust that God can bring sweetness from our bitter experiences and victory from our apparent defeats.

Did You Know

The location of Timnah, where this story takes place, has been discovered by archaeologists and shows evidence of both Israelite and Philistine occupation during the period of the Judges, confirming the biblical account of cultural interaction.
The Hebrew word for “honey” (דְּבַשׁ) in this chapter is the same word used to describe the Promised Land flowing with “milk and honey,” creating a subtle link between Samson’s experience and Israel’s national destiny.
Ancient Jewish wedding celebrations typically lasted seven days, explaining the timeframe given for solving Samson’s riddle. This was a common practice throughout the ancient Near East.
The thirty companions mentioned were likely not just guests but functioned as official witnesses to the marriage contract, a common practice in ancient Philistine culture.
The use of riddles at wedding feasts was a common entertainment in ancient Near Eastern culture, though they usually didn’t carry such high stakes as Samson’s riddle.
The phrase “plowed with my heifer” was a common idiom in the ancient world, found in other Near Eastern literature to describe betrayal of confidence.
Samson’s initial journey to Timnah would have involved a descent of about 700 feet in elevation, giving literal meaning to the phrase “went down to Timnah.”
The presence of lions in ancient Israel is confirmed by both archaeological evidence and other biblical accounts, though they became extinct in the region during the time of the Crusades.
The specific type of lion mentioned (כְּפִיר) indicates a young male lion in its prime, considered the most dangerous stage of a lion’s life.
The location where Samson killed the lion was in “the vineyards of Timnah,” creating ironic tension with his Nazirite vow to avoid anything from grapes.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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