“And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.”
This verse is part of the narrative about Samson, one of the judges of Israel during the time of the Judges. In this passage, Samson had encountered a lion on his way to Timnah. By the Spirit of the Lord, he tore the lion apart with his bare hands, but later found honey inside its carcass. Several important themes and lessons can be drawn from this verse:
Strength and God’s empowerment:Judges 14:6 mentions that “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him” when Samson encountered the lion. This incident demonstrates God’s supernatural empowerment of Samson, enabling him to defeat the lion with his bare hands. It highlights the strength and courage that can be imparted by God’s Spirit when we are called to face challenges.
Conquering the impossible:Tearing apart a lion would have been an impossible feat for an ordinary person, but Samson accomplished it through God’s strength. This story reminds us that with God, nothing is impossible. It encourages us to trust in God’s power, even in situations that seem insurmountable.
The sweetness of victory:After defeating the lion, Samson discovered honey in its carcass. This unexpected sweetness symbolises the blessings that can come after overcoming trials and difficulties. It serves as a reminder that victory often brings joy and sweetness into our lives.
Obedience and discretion:In the latter part of the verse, Samson takes the honey and shares it with his parents, but he does not disclose its origin. This demonstrates a lack of obedience to God’s commandments, as he was under a Nazirite vow that prohibited him from touching anything dead. Samson’s failure to disclose the source of the honey reveals a lack of transparency and obedience in his actions.
