“And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him.”
Context:The book of Judges is a historical account of the Israelites after their conquest of Canaan. It focuses on a period of time when the Israelites were ruled by judges who were raised up by God to deliver them from oppression. Judges 14 tells the story of Samson, one of the judges of Israel.
Background:Prior to Judges 14:11, Samson had travelled to Timnah, a Philistine town, and there he saw a woman from the Philistine community whom he desired to marry. In verse 7, Samson asked his parents to arrange the marriage for him. As they journeyed to Timnah, they encountered a young lion, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, giving him supernatural strength to tear the lion apart (Judges 14:6-9).
Observations:In Judges 14:11, “they” refers to the Philistines who were present at Samson’s wedding feast. The Philistines saw Samson and brought thirty companions to be with him. This verse indicates that the Philistines wanted to provide companionship and support to Samson during the wedding feast. It is noteworthy that the Philistines, who were enemies of the Israelites, were the ones extending hospitality to Samson, albeit for their own purposes.
Interpretation:Samson’s encounter with the young lion demonstrated God’s supernatural strength and anointing upon him. This incident foreshadowed the challenges and victories that Samson would face in his role as a judge. The presence of the thirty Philistine companions at the wedding feast might have been intended as a display of power and intimidation. The Philistines likely wanted to keep a close watch on Samson, knowing his extraordinary strength and his reputation for causing trouble among their people. God used this situation to set the stage for the events that would follow, where Samson’s encounter with the Philistines would lead to a series of conflicts and ultimately, the deliverance of the Israelites from Philistine oppression.
Application:
- Even in challenging circumstances, God can use them to accomplish His purposes. Samson’s marriage and interaction with the Philistines were part of God’s plan to deliver Israel from their enemies.
- We should be aware of the potential opposition we may face when pursuing God’s calling and purposes in our lives. Like Samson, we should rely on God’s strength and guidance to navigate through challenges.
- It is important to discern the motives and intentions of those around us. The Philistines’ hospitality toward Samson masked their ulterior motives. We should exercise discernment and seek God’s wisdom in our interactions with others.
Remember that studying the Bible involves reading the surrounding context, considering historical background, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for personal application.
