“And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?”
This verse is part of the narrative of Samson, one of the judges of Israel mentioned in the Book of Judges. Samson was known for his extraordinary strength, which was given to him by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Philistines.
In this particular passage, the context is that Samson had posed a riddle to thirty Philistine companions during his wedding feast. He had said to them, “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14, KJV). Samson’s riddle was a metaphor for his encounter with a lion and finding honey inside its carcass.
The Philistines were unable to solve the riddle, and they became distressed as the deadline for answering approached. Consequently, they sought to pressure Samson’s wife:to obtain the answer from him. This verse captures the Philistines’ threat to burn her and her father’s house with fire if she did not find out the answer and reveal it to them.
This incident reveals the cunning nature of the Philistines and their desire to undermine Samson’s challenge. They were willing to resort to threats and violence to gain the upper hand in the situation. It also highlights the vulnerability of Samson’s wife:and her father’s household, who were caught in the midst of the conflict between Samson and the Philistines.
This episode serves as a precursor to the events that unfold in the following verses, where Samson’s wife:eventually persuades him to reveal the answer to the riddle. This leads to Samson’s anger and a subsequent confrontation with the Philistines, which further escalates the conflict between Samson and the Philistine oppressors.
From a broader perspective, the story of Samson:in the Book of Judges illustrates the ongoing cycle of Israel’s disobedience to God, their oppression by foreign nations, and God’s intervention through raising up judges to deliver them. Samson’s life is characterized by both his great strength and his personal flaws, which ultimately contribute to his downfall.
In conclusion, Judges 14:15:showcases the intense pressure faced by Samson’s wife:from the Philistines, emphasizing the cunning tactics employed by their enemies. This passage is part of a larger narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of disobedience, and the ongoing theme of deliverance in the book of Judges.
