But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.
And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.
And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath–lehi.
And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En–hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
Judges 15 continues the tumultuous narrative of Samson, a man chosen by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). However, instead of a straightforward victory, we witness a spiraling cycle of retribution, fueled by personal vendettas and divine intervention. This chapter reveals the dangers of seeking revenge and highlights the incredible power of God's Spirit, even in the hands of an imperfect vessel.
Samson's Revenge on the Philistines (Judges 15:1-8)
The chapter opens with Samson returning to Timnah, believing he is still married to his Philistine bride. Some time had passed, and he sought to resume his marriage, bringing a young goat as a gift for his wife (Judges 15:1). However, his father-in-law refuses him access, explaining that he had given her to another man, assuming Samson wasn't coming back (Judges 15:1-2). The father-in-law, perhaps attempting to appease Samson, offers his younger, supposedly more beautiful, daughter in her place.
Samson, enraged and feeling wronged, sees this as an affront. His response is disproportionate and destructive. He declares he will not be blamed for the harm he inflicts on the Philistines (Judges 15:3). He captures three hundred foxes (or jackals, as some scholars believe, pack animals common to the area), ties them together in pairs by their tails, attaches a torch to the ropes, and releases them into the Philistine fields (Judges 15:4-5). This act devastates their crops, including standing grain, vineyards, and olive groves, inflicting significant economic damage and sparking further conflict. This was a direct attack on their "harvest" since they had interfered with his plan to start a family.
The Philistines retaliate with brutal efficiency, burning Samson's former wife and her father to death (Judges 15:6). It’s unclear if this was an attempt to appease Samson or simply a cruel act of revenge. This act only fuels Samson's anger, and he responds with a "great slaughter," taking vengeance for their deaths (Judges 15:7-8). The Hebrew words imply it was vicious and overwhelming, most likely involving more death and destruction. Afterwards, he seeks refuge in the cave in the rock of Etam (Judges 15:8).
This escalating cycle illustrates the futility of revenge. No one truly "wins" in this scenario; instead, each act of violence begets another, leading to increasing destruction and suffering.
Judah Delivers Samson (Judges 15:9-13)
The Philistines, determined to capture Samson, march towards Judah and camp in Lehi (Judges 15:9). They demand that the men of Judah hand Samson over to them. The people of Judah, fearing the Philistine army, agree to capture Samson (Judges 15:10-11). Three thousand men of Judah go down to the cave where Samson is hiding, and confront him, saying that he had brought trouble on them by riling up the Philistine oppressors (Judges 15:11).
Here, we see a tragic irony. Instead of supporting the man God had raised up to deliver them, they choose to appease their oppressors. They agree to bind Samson and hand him over, but only after he makes them promise that they themselves will not kill him (Judges 15:12-13). Samson agrees, demonstrating a willingness to cooperate, perhaps believing he can still use this situation to his advantage.
Samson's Victory at Lehi (Judges 15:14-17)
As the men of Judah bring Samson to the Philistines, the Philistines shout in triumph. But then, the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully on Samson (Judges 15:14). This is a turning point. The ropes that bind him become like flax that has been burned, and they fall from his hands (Judges 15:14).
Seeing an opportunity, Samson grabs the fresh jawbone of a donkey and uses it as a weapon. With this unlikely instrument, he strikes down a thousand men (Judges 15:15). The empowerment of the Lord allowed him to do what would’ve otherwise been impossible.
After this incredible feat, Samson proclaims a boastful poem, playing on the Hebrew words for "donkey" and "heap" (Judges 15:16). He names the place Ramath-lehi, meaning "Jawbone Hill" (Judges 15:17). This victory is a clear demonstration of God's power working through Samson, fulfilling His purpose to disrupt Philistine control over Israel (Judges 13:5).
Thirst and Divine Provision (Judges 15:18-20)
Despite his supernatural strength and victory, Samson is left weakened and intensely thirsty. He cries out to the Lord, acknowledging his dependence on God (Judges 15:18). However, his prayer is tinged with a sense of entitlement, almost accusing God of abandoning him after granting him victory.
God, in His grace and mercy, responds to Samson's plea. He splits open the ground at Lehi, and water gushes forth, reviving Samson (Judges 15:19). Samson names the spring En-hakkore, meaning "Spring of the One Who Cried Out."
The chapter concludes by noting that Samson judged Israel for twenty years (Judges 15:20). This period likely involved ongoing conflict with the Philistines, though the details are not provided.
Lessons and Applications
Judges 15 offers several important lessons:
- The Danger of Revenge: The chapter vividly illustrates the destructive nature of revenge. It leads to escalation, suffering, and ultimately, no real resolution.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite Samson's flaws and questionable motivations, God uses him to accomplish His purposes. God's sovereignty is evident in His empowerment of Samson and His provision of water in the desert.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord coming upon Samson demonstrates the supernatural power available to those who are called by God. While in the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon people for specific events, in the New Testament, the Spirit indwells every believer (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9). We should "be filled by the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), which essentially means living under his control.
- Human Weakness and Divine Grace: Samson's strength is intertwined with his weaknesses. He is prone to anger, pride, and poor judgment. Yet, God extends grace to him, answering his prayer and providing for his needs. This highlights the reality that God often uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.
Judges 15 serves as a reminder that even in the midst of cycles of violence and human fallibility, God's power and grace can break through, offering hope and deliverance.
But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her.
And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.
And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.
And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.
Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.
And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us.
Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them.
And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.
And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.
And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath–lehi.
And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En–hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.
Judges 15 continues the tumultuous narrative of Samson, a man chosen by God to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). However, instead of a straightforward victory, we witness a spiraling cycle of retribution, fueled by personal vendettas and divine intervention. This chapter reveals the dangers of seeking revenge and highlights the incredible power of God's Spirit, even in the hands of an imperfect vessel.
Samson's Revenge on the Philistines (Judges 15:1-8)
The chapter opens with Samson returning to Timnah, believing he is still married to his Philistine bride. Some time had passed, and he sought to resume his marriage, bringing a young goat as a gift for his wife (Judges 15:1). However, his father-in-law refuses him access, explaining that he had given her to another man, assuming Samson wasn't coming back (Judges 15:1-2). The father-in-law, perhaps attempting to appease Samson, offers his younger, supposedly more beautiful, daughter in her place.
Samson, enraged and feeling wronged, sees this as an affront. His response is disproportionate and destructive. He declares he will not be blamed for the harm he inflicts on the Philistines (Judges 15:3). He captures three hundred foxes (or jackals, as some scholars believe, pack animals common to the area), ties them together in pairs by their tails, attaches a torch to the ropes, and releases them into the Philistine fields (Judges 15:4-5). This act devastates their crops, including standing grain, vineyards, and olive groves, inflicting significant economic damage and sparking further conflict. This was a direct attack on their "harvest" since they had interfered with his plan to start a family.
The Philistines retaliate with brutal efficiency, burning Samson's former wife and her father to death (Judges 15:6). It’s unclear if this was an attempt to appease Samson or simply a cruel act of revenge. This act only fuels Samson's anger, and he responds with a "great slaughter," taking vengeance for their deaths (Judges 15:7-8). The Hebrew words imply it was vicious and overwhelming, most likely involving more death and destruction. Afterwards, he seeks refuge in the cave in the rock of Etam (Judges 15:8).
This escalating cycle illustrates the futility of revenge. No one truly "wins" in this scenario; instead, each act of violence begets another, leading to increasing destruction and suffering.
Judah Delivers Samson (Judges 15:9-13)
The Philistines, determined to capture Samson, march towards Judah and camp in Lehi (Judges 15:9). They demand that the men of Judah hand Samson over to them. The people of Judah, fearing the Philistine army, agree to capture Samson (Judges 15:10-11). Three thousand men of Judah go down to the cave where Samson is hiding, and confront him, saying that he had brought trouble on them by riling up the Philistine oppressors (Judges 15:11).
Here, we see a tragic irony. Instead of supporting the man God had raised up to deliver them, they choose to appease their oppressors. They agree to bind Samson and hand him over, but only after he makes them promise that they themselves will not kill him (Judges 15:12-13). Samson agrees, demonstrating a willingness to cooperate, perhaps believing he can still use this situation to his advantage.
Samson's Victory at Lehi (Judges 15:14-17)
As the men of Judah bring Samson to the Philistines, the Philistines shout in triumph. But then, the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully on Samson (Judges 15:14). This is a turning point. The ropes that bind him become like flax that has been burned, and they fall from his hands (Judges 15:14).
Seeing an opportunity, Samson grabs the fresh jawbone of a donkey and uses it as a weapon. With this unlikely instrument, he strikes down a thousand men (Judges 15:15). The empowerment of the Lord allowed him to do what would’ve otherwise been impossible.
After this incredible feat, Samson proclaims a boastful poem, playing on the Hebrew words for "donkey" and "heap" (Judges 15:16). He names the place Ramath-lehi, meaning "Jawbone Hill" (Judges 15:17). This victory is a clear demonstration of God's power working through Samson, fulfilling His purpose to disrupt Philistine control over Israel (Judges 13:5).
Thirst and Divine Provision (Judges 15:18-20)
Despite his supernatural strength and victory, Samson is left weakened and intensely thirsty. He cries out to the Lord, acknowledging his dependence on God (Judges 15:18). However, his prayer is tinged with a sense of entitlement, almost accusing God of abandoning him after granting him victory.
God, in His grace and mercy, responds to Samson's plea. He splits open the ground at Lehi, and water gushes forth, reviving Samson (Judges 15:19). Samson names the spring En-hakkore, meaning "Spring of the One Who Cried Out."
The chapter concludes by noting that Samson judged Israel for twenty years (Judges 15:20). This period likely involved ongoing conflict with the Philistines, though the details are not provided.
Lessons and Applications
Judges 15 offers several important lessons:
- The Danger of Revenge: The chapter vividly illustrates the destructive nature of revenge. It leads to escalation, suffering, and ultimately, no real resolution.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite Samson's flaws and questionable motivations, God uses him to accomplish His purposes. God's sovereignty is evident in His empowerment of Samson and His provision of water in the desert.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit of the Lord coming upon Samson demonstrates the supernatural power available to those who are called by God. While in the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon people for specific events, in the New Testament, the Spirit indwells every believer (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9). We should "be filled by the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), which essentially means living under his control.
- Human Weakness and Divine Grace: Samson's strength is intertwined with his weaknesses. He is prone to anger, pride, and poor judgment. Yet, God extends grace to him, answering his prayer and providing for his needs. This highlights the reality that God often uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.
Judges 15 serves as a reminder that even in the midst of cycles of violence and human fallibility, God's power and grace can break through, offering hope and deliverance.