Judges 14-Sampson the Womanizer
Read Judges 14:1-8a
Today’s Truth
Samson is now a grown man, stirred by the Spirit of the Lord (13:25). But at the start of chapter 14—and throughout the rest of his life—he will be stirred by a much more worldly impulse. One day, he “went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman” (14:1). Returning home, he says (literally) to his parents: “have I seen a woman, in Timnah, of the daughters of the Philistines. Now get her for me as a wife” (v 2).
First, Samson is impulsive. He is a completely sensual man, in the most basic definition of the term. His senses control him—he reacts to how he feels about what he sees, without reflection or consideration. He sees—and so he takes. This general impulsiveness leads to a specific weakness that we will see as the story proceeds; namely, a total lack of sexual self-control.
Second, Samson is unteachable. He is dismissive of parental counsel and authority. The book of Proverbs extensively explains how proud and foolish it is to be unwilling to listen to the advice of others. Put in its cultural context, Samson’s pride here is even more extreme. In our day it would be more normal for a son to talk back to his parents, but that was not the case in ancient Israel. Impulsive, and unteachable. It is a good summary of the state of Israel as a whole!
Discussion Questions
- What does Samson’s desire to marry a Philistine woman reveal about his character and decision-making (Judges 14:1-3)?
- Samson made choices based on his desires rather than seeking God’s wisdom. How do you ensure that your decisions align with God’s will?
- Samson kept his Nazarite vow externally but compromised in small ways (like touching the dead lion). Are there areas in your life where you might be making small compromises that could lead to bigger spiritual struggles?
Application
We can already see that Samson is not going to be the judge we were hoping for! The first judge, Othniel, fought Israel’s enemies and so married Acsah, a godly, faithful, trusting Israelite (Judges 1:12-13). The last, Samson, goes among Israel’s enemies in order to marry an unnamed Philistine who does not know God. It is important that he found her in Timnah—deep in Israelite territory—and that he was free to come and go among the Philistines. The Philistines were settled and living normal lives inside Israel. They were “rulers” (13:1; 14:4) over Israel, yet their “occupation” seems completely peaceful. Samson thought nothing of marrying one of them.
In Samson’s Israel, God had decided to prevent his people becoming culturally indistinct, and therefore spiritually extinct. He would do so through Samson, and despite Samson. And there would be conflict!
