SAMSON SERIES: DECISIONS – JUDGES 14

The decisions that we make in life are significant and should be made with thoughtfulness and prayer for they can be life changing and affect generations to come. In this chapter, Samson begins to make decisions that set the course of his life. Were they right or wrong; continue reading and see.

In chapter 14 Samson an eligible young man had reached the age where he desired a wife. Hence, the first verse of this chapter reveals that he leaves Zorah his place of residence and goes down to Timnath a Philistine frontier town located three miles from his home. In Timnath, he saw a woman to whom he was attracted, and upon returning home, told his parents that he wanted them to make wedding arrangements for him, for it was the custom of parents to negotiate wedding alliances. Knowing the laws (Exod. 34:11-16, Num.36:7-9, Deut. 7:1-3) given to them by Moses concerning marriage outside of your tribe they protested; however, Samson insisted that they carry out his wishes. The Bible also reveals unbeknownst to them God was using this to begin to bring judgment on the Philistines; therefore, he allowed Samson’s parent to submit to his request.

While traveling with his parents to Timnath to make the arrangements Samson became separated from them, and he encountered a lion which he slews with his bare hands, and upon meeting back with his parents, he does not share this experience with them.

Awhile later Samson was returning to Timnath for the actual wedding, he found the dead lion’s carcass, and saw that a bee hive with honey was in it; so, he scopes up some honey which he ate and shared with his parents when he meets them. Furthermore, Samson did not tell them where he had gotten the honey.

At the beginning of the wedding feast with the lion and honey fresh in his mind, Samson proposes a riddle to the thirty Philistine groomsmen assigned to him. If they were able to solve the riddle they would each get garments, and if not, they were to give Samson thirty new garments. As the seven days of the feast progressed the men were unable to solve the riddle; thus, they threatened Samson’s bride with death for her and her family if she did not get the answer to the riddle for them. Also, they accused her of setting them up. Consequently, Samson’s bride cried and pleaded with Samson until he gave her the answer to the riddle which she told the Philistines. On the seventh day, they gave Samson the answer, and he became furious with them and made a horrible remark about his bride.

In his anger, Samson traveled twenty miles to Ashkelon, where the Spirit of the Lord came on him, and he killed thirty men and took their garments and goods. He then returned to Timnath and paid up his wager. Still, angry Samson returns to his father’s home, and his bride was given to Samson’s Philistine best man to wed.

Here are my thoughts on this chapter:
1. When God predestined the birth of Samson, He knew that Samson would be disobedient to His laws, reckless in his behavior, driven by lust and make unwise decisions; yet He chooses to use him. Amid his wrongdoings and flagrant disobedience, God still used the situation to accomplish His divine will and purpose in the earth, and He will do the same in our lives.

2. From infancy to young adulthood, Samson’s parents raised him in a godly household. When he came to an age where he could make major life decisions, he strayed from the godly teaching he received. Though you raise your child in a godly environment and make sure they know the things of God that do not guarantee that in adulthood, they will follow the teachings that they have received.

3. Judges chapter thirteen ended stating,” And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan.” How the Spirit moved and what transpired was not revealed. In chapter fourteen the two times the Spirit of the Lord mightily moved on Samson it was connected with his strength, and he did feats that the average person was not able to do. When the Spirit of the Lord moves on you, expect things out of the ordinary; there will be a visible manifestation.

4. Unfortunately, some issues remain the same, for even as we see in our society today, many leaders have a lust problem and choose to be ruled by their flesh. Lust causes people to disregard spiritual mandates, and if this problem is not dealt with appropriately, there can be dire consequences.

5. When we stray from our place of assignment and fraternize with our enemy, problems will occur. Remember, unholy alliances are detrimental.

6. The possibility of death can bring about betrayal, and desperation can drive you to tears.

7. Finally, listen to people that you know, trust, and follows God’s Word.