Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1One day Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a young Philistine woman.
3But 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.)
6and 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.
9So 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.
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.
13But 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.”
14So 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.
15So on the fourth 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?”
16Then 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?”
17She 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.
18Before 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!”
19Then 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,
Judges 14 marks a critical turning point in Samson's life—the beginning of his conflict with the Philistines. While Samson's parents recognize the danger of marrying outside God's covenant people, the Lord is orchestrating events to give Israel's oppressor a formidable opponent. This chapter reveals both the extraordinary power God grants Samson and the dangerous weakness of his flesh: his eyes and his desires lead him into compromise, setting the stage for a life marked by both remarkable victories and devastating moral failures.
Samson sees a Philistine woman and becomes infatuated, demanding his parents arrange the marriage (v. 1–2). His parents immediately recognize the problem: she is uncircumcised, belonging to a pagan nation hostile to Israel (v. 3). When they object, Samson dismisses their wisdom with a single phrase—"she pleaseth me well"—revealing that emotion, not conviction, is driving his choice. Yet verse 4 offers crucial insight: God is working through Samson's fleshly desire to create an opportunity against the Philistines. This does not justify Samson's disobedience; rather, it shows God's sovereign ability to accomplish His purposes even when His people act foolishly. The principle applies today: God can redirect our mistakes toward His glory, but that does not make the mistake right.
On the way to Timnath, a lion attacks Samson (v. 5). The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him with mighty power, and he tears the lion apart bare-handed like a young goat (v. 6). Yet significantly, Samson tells no one—not even his parents—what he has done. Later, returning to claim his bride, he finds honeycomb in the lion's carcass and eats it, then shares it with his parents without revealing its source (vv. 8–9). Here we see a pattern: Samson operates in isolated strength, keeping secrets, and withholding truth from those closest to him. Spiritual power is not a substitute for integrity and openness in relationships. His silence sows the seeds for later deception and betrayal.
At the wedding feast, Samson poses a riddle to thirty Philistine companions (vv. 12–14): "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness"—referring to the honey from the lion. When they cannot solve it, they pressure Samson's bride to extract the answer, threatening to burn her and her father's house (v. 15). She manipulates Samson through tears and accusations of hatred until he reveals the riddle on the seventh day (vv. 16–17). The Philistines answer correctly: "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" (v. 18). Samson's bride has betrayed him to save herself, and her people have cheated. Samson immediately recognizes the trick—"If ye had not plowed with my heifer"—using crude language that reveals both his insight and his bitterness.
The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson, and in fierce anger he kills thirty Philistines at Ashkelon to pay his debt (v. 19). But the cost is devastating: his bride is given to his companion (v. 20). The chapter ends in emptiness—Samson has won the contest but lost the woman, proving that victory without obedience brings no lasting peace.
Application for Today
Samson's story warns us that spiritual gifting does not protect us from the consequences of moral compromise. We may accomplish great things through God's power while simultaneously destroying our most important relationships through pride, secrecy, and lust. The path forward requires surrendering not just our weakness to God, but our strength as well—allowing Him to govern our choices in relationships, finances, and reputation. True victory comes through obedience, not mere power.
Study Notes — Judges 14
5 sectionsJudges 14 marks a critical turning point in Samson's life—the beginning of his conflict with the Philistines. While Samson's parents recognize the danger of marrying outside God's covenant people, the Lord is orchestrating events to give Israel's oppressor a formidable opponent. This chapter reveals both the extraordinary power God grants Samson and the dangerous weakness of his flesh: his eyes and his desires lead him into compromise, setting the stage for a life marked by both remarkable victories and devastating moral failures.
Samson sees a Philistine woman and becomes infatuated, demanding his parents arrange the marriage (v. 1–2). His parents immediately recognize the problem: she is uncircumcised, belonging to a pagan nation hostile to Israel (v. 3). When they object, Samson dismisses their wisdom with a single phrase—"she pleaseth me well"—revealing that emotion, not conviction, is driving his choice. Yet verse 4 offers crucial insight: God is working through Samson's fleshly desire to create an opportunity against the Philistines. This does not justify Samson's disobedience; rather, it shows God's sovereign ability to accomplish His purposes even when His people act foolishly. The principle applies today: God can redirect our mistakes toward His glory, but that does not make the mistake right.
On the way to Timnath, a lion attacks Samson (v. 5). The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him with mighty power, and he tears the lion apart bare-handed like a young goat (v. 6). Yet significantly, Samson tells no one—not even his parents—what he has done. Later, returning to claim his bride, he finds honeycomb in the lion's carcass and eats it, then shares it with his parents without revealing its source (vv. 8–9). Here we see a pattern: Samson operates in isolated strength, keeping secrets, and withholding truth from those closest to him. Spiritual power is not a substitute for integrity and openness in relationships. His silence sows the seeds for later deception and betrayal.
At the wedding feast, Samson poses a riddle to thirty Philistine companions (vv. 12–14): "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness"—referring to the honey from the lion. When they cannot solve it, they pressure Samson's bride to extract the answer, threatening to burn her and her father's house (v. 15). She manipulates Samson through tears and accusations of hatred until he reveals the riddle on the seventh day (vv. 16–17). The Philistines answer correctly: "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" (v. 18). Samson's bride has betrayed him to save herself, and her people have cheated. Samson immediately recognizes the trick—"If ye had not plowed with my heifer"—using crude language that reveals both his insight and his bitterness.
The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson, and in fierce anger he kills thirty Philistines at Ashkelon to pay his debt (v. 19). But the cost is devastating: his bride is given to his companion (v. 20). The chapter ends in emptiness—Samson has won the contest but lost the woman, proving that victory without obedience brings no lasting peace.
Samson's story warns us that spiritual gifting does not protect us from the consequences of moral compromise. We may accomplish great things through God's power while simultaneously destroying our most important relationships through pride, secrecy, and lust. The path forward requires surrendering not just our weakness to God, but our strength as well—allowing Him to govern our choices in relationships, finances, and reputation. True victory comes through obedience, not mere power.