Observations:
(1) The Philistine girl caught his eye v.1,3, get her for my wife v.2, she is the right one for me v.3, 7Just like the sons of God (Genesis 6:2) saw that the daughters of humankind were beautiful. Thus they took wives for themselves from any they chose. That was the reason God used the Flood to wipe out mankind.
What would the life of Samson after this happened?
How about us? Can we learn from the Scriptures and see what God hates or dislikes? Do we avoid the pitfalls from the people in the Scriptures?
(2) Samson wanted to marry her and went to talk to his parents v.2.
(BKC) Since marriages were contracted by the parents (cf. Gen. 21:21), Samson insisted that his parents get her for him as his wife. Since marriage with a non-Israelite was expressly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:3), his parents objected to his marrying a Philistine (cf. Jud. 14:3).
14:4 Now his father and mother did not realize this was the LORD’s doing, because he was looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble with the Philistines (for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel).
(BKC) This does not mean that breaking the Law was desired by God but that Samson’s decision was overruled by God for His own purpose and glory.
Finally, Samson prevailed and his father accompanied him to Timnah for the marriage v.10.
Samson's parents were responsible for his marriage, but they failed and let Samson marry the non-Israelites.
Reflection: Are we avoiding our responsibilities? As parents? teacher? or someone who is supposed to make disciples?
(3) Samson tore down the lion and got the honey from the carcass v.6-9. Samson did not tell his parents. Why?
v.6 But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
v.9 But he did not tell them he had scooped the honey out of the lion’s carcass.
(BKC) While the Nazirite law strictly prohibited contact with a dead person, the purpose of this was to avoid ceremonial uncleanness (Num. 6:7). Since touching the carcass of even a clean animal made a person (with the obvious exception of an officiating priest) ceremonially unclean (Lev. 11:39–40), probably Samson’s scooping the honey from the lion’s carcass was a violation of his Nazirite vow.
Samson insisted on marrying the non-Israelite woman, then he ate the honey from the lion carcass, then he murdered 30 men for their clothes. After he gave the 30 wagers the clothes he was so furious that he went home without his newly wedded wife! Then he set the Philistines' fields on fire because his bride was given to his best man. Finally, he struck down the Philistines after they had burned down the woman's house. His life was full of sexual desires and violence. It was a mess.
He did not live like a Naziritie, or someone who dedicated to God. He might be successful in his fighting with the Philistines, but not his conduct.
Reflection: Are we someone who seems to be successful or we are a leader but we can not overcome sin? We did not keep our sinful desires under control and seek the things from above (Col 3:1-4)? May our thoughts be saturated from things above, not on earthly things.
Audrey
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