Samson's Riddle. Judges 14

 

Judges 14 – Samson’s Riddle

 

Samson is going to use his marriage as a ruse in order that he might deliver Israel from the Philistines.  He starts off well.

 

On his way to Timnath with his parents, Samson was attacked by a lion. He killed the lion with his bare hands. On another trip Samson discovered a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. He scooped the honey out with his hands and ate it. He also gave some to his parents but didn’t tell them where it came from. Having contact with a dead carcass was a violation of the Nazarite vow.

 

Later, Samson put on a marriage feast and invited the Philistines. He gives his guests a riddle and seven days to come up with an answer. Without knowing about the slain lion and the hive of bees in the carcass, there was no way the thirty guests could solve the riddle.

The Philistines threatened Samson’s wife that if she didn’t tell them the answer they would burn her father’s house down with her in it. For seven days, his wife cried, begging for the answer. Finally, Samson gave in and told her.

 

When the Philistines gave him the answer, he knew they got it from his wife.

He then went and killed thirty men to get thirty changes of raiment that he needed to pay off his wager.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.