Samson Marries a Philistine Woman |
Judges 14:1-20 The Book of Judges [in Smaller Chunks] |
Samson went down to Timnath & saw a woman [there] of the daughters of the Philistines. He [went to] his father & mother & told [them,] I have seen a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines. Therefore, now get her for her for me to [marry.] |
His [parents asked] him, Isn’t there [any] woman among the daughters of your [relatives,] or [among your] people, that you go to take a wife [from] the uncircumcised Philistines? |
Samson [asked] his father, Get her for me, for [I am pleased with her.] His [parents didn’t know this] was of the Lord [God,] for [at that time] the Philistines [ruled] over Israel & [the Lord God looked] for an occasion against the Philistines. |
[When] Samson went down [with] his [parents] to Timnath & came to the vineyards of Timnath & [saw] a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon [Samson] & he [tore the lion like] he would’ve [torn] a kid [goat, since] he had [no weapon] in his hand. |
He [didn’t tell] his [parents] what he had done. [When Samson] went down & talked with the woman, Samson was pleased [with her.] After a time, [Samson returned] to take her [as his wife] & he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion & [he saw] there was a swarm of bees & honey in the [lion’s] carcass. |
[Samson] took [some of the honey] in his hands & went on eating [it] & he came to his [parents] & gave them [some honey] & they [ate it.] He [didn’t tell his parents] that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion. |
So, [Samson’s] father went down to the woman & Samson made a [wedding] feast there [for her, since that’s what] the young men used to do. When they saw [Samson,] they brought 30 companions to be with him. |
And Samson gave [the 30 companions] a riddle & said to them, I will now put forth a riddle to you & if you can [correctly] answer it within 7 days of the feast, I will give you 30 sheets & 30 [changes] of [clothing.] But if you can’t [answer] it, then you shall give me 30 sheets & 30 [changes] of clothing. |
They said to [Samson, tell us] your riddle, [so] may hear it. [Samson] said to them, Out of the eater came forth meat & out of the strong came forth sweetness & the [companions] couldn’t [answer] the riddle [after] 3 days. |
On the 7th day, the [companions] said to Samson’s wife, [Convince Samson,] your husband, [to tell you the answer to] the riddle, [or] we will burn you & your father’s house with fire. [Did you invite us here] to take [away] all that we have? |
Samson’s wife [cried] before him & said, You [must] hate me & [don’t] love me. You have put forth a riddle to the children of my people & haven’t told it [to] me. And [Samson] said to her, [Look,] I haven’t told it [to either] my father [or] mother, shall I tell it [to] you? |
She wept before [Samson] the 7 days that the [wedding] feast lasted & it [happened] on the 7th day, [Samson] told her. Because [she pressured] him & she told [the answer of] the riddle to the [young Philistine men] of her people. |
Before [sunset,] the men of the city said to [Samson] on the 7th day, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And [Samson] said, If you hadn’t plowed with my heifer, you [wouldn’t] have found out my riddle. |
The Spirit of the Lord came upon [Samson] & he went down to Ashkelon & [killed] 30 men & took their [plunder] & gave their [changes] of garments to [those who answered] the riddle. |
And [Samson’s] anger [grew] & he went up to his father’s house, but Samson’s wife was given to his companion, [who was Samson’s] friend. |