And they spake vnto him, saying; No: but wee will binde thee fast, and deliuer thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cordes, and brought him vp from the rocke. Judges 15:13 (KJV)
Context: The book of Judges is set in a time when Israel was governed by a series of judges. This verse belongs to the story of Samson, one of those judges, whom God appointed to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression. In this passage the men of Judah seek to bind Samson and hand him over to the Philistines.
The Philistines wanted to capture Samson because they regarded him as a threat. He had been causing trouble for them and had slain many of their people. Rather than resist the Philistines, the men of Judah decided to bind Samson and deliver him.
When the men of Judah confront Samson they ask what they should do with him. Samson replies, “If you will bind me, I will go up to the Philistines.” Their decision to bind him reflects a willingness to cooperate with the enemy and to appease the Philistines.
Despite his immense strength, Samson allows himself to be bound by the men of Judah. This marks a departure from his earlier confrontations with the Philistines, where he fought back with great force. Samson’s submission may reflect his awareness of God’s plan to use his capture as an opportunity to defeat the Philistines.
The act of binding Samson with two new cords can be seen as symbolic. Samson’s strength had been symbolized by his long hair, which he had lost earlier in the story because of Delilah’s betrayal. The cords represent a physical limitation imposed upon him, rendering him temporarily powerless.
Lessons for believers:
Compromising with evil – The actions of the men of Judah highlight the danger of compromising with evil or succumbing to pressure from the world. Believers are called to stand firm in faith and resist compromising their principles.
Trusting God’s plan – Samson’s submission shows a trust in God’s sovereign plan. Sometimes God allows difficult situations to unfold for a greater purpose, and we should trust Him even when we do not understand His ways.
Consequences of disobedience – Samson’s capture and subsequent suffering were a consequence of his disobedience and unfaithfulness to God’s commands. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and the potential consequences of straying from God’s path.
Thus this verse marks a pivotal moment in Samson’s narrative, highlighting themes of compromise, trust, and the consequences of disobedience, and it sets the stage for the subsequent events and the climax of Samson’s story.
