Judges Chapter 15

In Judges 15, Samson, a judge of Israel, seeks revenge against the Philistines for the betrayal of his wife. He catches 300 foxes, ties their tails together in pairs, and sets their tails on fire before releasing them into the Philistines’ fields, destroying their crops and vineyards. The Philistines retaliate by burning Samson’s wife and her father to death.

In response, Samson attacks the Philistines, killing many of them with a great slaughter. Fleeing to the “cleft of the rock of Etam,” he takes refuge there. The Philistines, who are in control of Judah, gather their forces and march against Samson, demanding that the men of Judah hand him over. The men of Judah reluctantly agree and hand Samson over to the Philistines.

As the Philistines approach Samson, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, empowering him to break free from his restraints and arm himself with a fresh jawbone of a donkey. With this unconventional weapon, Samson strikes down a thousand Philistines. After his victory, he becomes thirsty and cries out to God for water. God miraculously opens a hollow place in the ground, and water springs forth to quench Samson’s thirst.

After this episode, Samson becomes a judge of Israel for twenty years, leading and delivering the Israelites from the oppression of the Philistines.

To uncover the depths of each verse and explore the context further, click the links below: