Samson Takes a Philistine Wife
Judges 14, verse 1. Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the foreigners. Judges 14, verse 2. So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.” Judges 14, verse 3. Then his father and mother said to him, “Are there not daughters of your brethren, or a woman among all my people? Must you go and get a wife from the uncircumcised foreigners?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” Judges 14, verse 4. But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—that He was seeking vengeance against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Judges 14, verse 5. So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came roaring against him. Judges 14, verse 6. And the Spirit of the Lord leapt upon Samson, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hands. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. Judges 14, verse 7. Then they went down and talked with the woman, and she was pleasing to Samson's eyes. Judges 14, verse 8. After a few days, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and some honey were in the mouth of the lion. Judges 14, verse 9. He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the mouth of the lion. Judges 14, verse 10. So his father went down to the woman. And Samson gave a party there for seven days, as young men do. Judges 14, verse 11. And when they saw him, they brought thirty guests and they were with him. Judges 14, verse 12. Then Samson said to them, “Let me tell you a riddle. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the party, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. Judges 14, verse 13. But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen cloths and thirty changes of clothing.” And they said to him, “Tell the riddle; let us hear it.” Judges 14, verse 14. And he said to them: “What meat comes forth from the eater, And from the strong, sweetness?” But three days passed by and they could not explain the riddle. Judges 14, verse 15. But on the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, “Now trick your husband so that he explains the riddle to you, or else we will burn you and your father's house with fire. Did you invite us to do us violence?” Judges 14, verse 16. Then Samson's wife wept before him, and said, “You hate me! You do not love me! You told the sons of my people a riddle, but you have not explained it to me.” And Samson said to her, “If I have not explained it to my father or my mother, why should I explain it to you?” Judges 14, verse 17. Now she wept before him for seven days while their wedding banquet lasted. And on the seventh day he told her, because she annoyed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people. Judges 14, verse 18. And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun rose: “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” And Samson said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, You would not have come to learn my riddle!” Judges 14, verse 19. Then the Spirit of the Lord leapt upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So Samson's anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father's house. Judges 14, verse 20. And the wife of Samson was given to one of his companions, one whom he called friend.