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, from] the daughters of the Philistines. And [Samson went] up, & told his father & mother, & said, I have seen a woman in Timnath, [from] the daughters of the Philistines. Therefore, now get her for her for me to [marry.] |
Then, [Samson's] father & mother [asked] him, Isn’t there [any] woman among the daughters of your [relatives,] or among all my people, that you [go] to take a wife [from] the uncircumcised Philistines? |
And Samson [asked] his father, Get her for me, for she [pleases] me [very much.] But [Samson's] father & mother [didn’t know] that [this] was [from] the Lord, [in] that, [the Lord God] sought [for] an [opportunity,] against the Philistines. For at that time, the Philistines had dominion, [a.k.a. authority,] over Israel. |
Then, [when] Samson went down [with] his father & mother, to Timnath, & came to the vineyards of Timnath, & [saw] a young lion roared against him. And the [Holy] Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon [Samson,] & he [tore the lion like] he would’ve [torn] a kid, [a.k.a. goat, since] he had [no weapon] in his hand. |
But [Samson 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 & [ saw] there was a swarm of bees & honey in the [lion’s carcass.] |
And [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.] But [Sampson 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. And it [happened,] when they saw [Samson,] they brought 30 companions to be with him. |
And Samson said to [the 30 companions,] I will now put forth a riddle to you; & if you find it out, & can [correctly answer] it [to] me, within 7 days of the feast, then 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.] |
And they said to [Samson, Produce] your riddle, [so] may hear it. And [Samson] said to them, Out of the eater came forth meat & out of the strong came forth sweetness. And [the companions] couldn’t [answer] the riddle in 3 days. |
And it [happened] on the 7th day, [the companions] said to Samson’s wife, [Convince Samson,] your husband, [so] that he may declare [the answer to riddle to you, & you may declare the answer to] the riddle to us, [or] we [will] burn you & your father’s house with fire. Have you called, [a.k.a. invited,] us, to take [away what] we have? Isn't [this true?] |
And Samson’s wife [cried in front of] him, & said, You [do] 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] my father, nor] my mother, & shall I tell it [to] you? |
And she wept before [Samson] the 7 days, while their [wedding] feast lasted. And it [happened] on the 7th day, that [Samson] told her. Because she [pressured] him, & she told [the answer of] the riddle to the [young Philistine men] of her people. |
And 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, [a.k.a. wife,] you [wouldn’t have] found out my riddle. |
And the [Holy] 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, whom [Samson] used as his friend. |