Samson Falls in Love
April 25, 2020
Commentary
Timnah was located about 4 miles southwest of Zorah which was only about an hour’s walk. It was here that Samson met the first of his lovers and he didn’t seem to be concerned that she was a Philistine (v. 1). He knew the laws of separation God had given to the people, but he chose to ignore them (Ex. 34:16, and Gen. 24:1-4). Samson’s lack of concern on such an important religious issue was matched by his lack of submission to his parents (vv. 2-3). When his father reminded him of God’s law, he defied him and said, “Get her for me; for she pleases me well!” It did not bother Samson that his desires displeased his parents and that this alliance would bring grief to them. What the father said was highly regarded and this was especially true when it came to the choice of a wife. Samson disregarded all their advice because of his overwhelming desire for this Philistine woman.
The Philistines were in control of Israel at this time, and what Samson’s parents did not know was that the LORD wanted to stir up trouble for them and that’s why he made Samson desire this woman (v. 4). Along the way a fierce young lion suddenly roared and attacked Samson. But the LORD’s Spirit took control of Samson, and with his bare hands he tore the lion apart (vv. 5-6). When they got to Timnah, Samson talked to the woman, and he was sure that she was the one for him (v. 7).
Application
How would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being excellent) in following the advice of my parents?
Judges 14:1– 7 (NET)
1 Samson went down to Timnah, where a Philistine girl caught his eye. 2 When he got home, he told his father and mother, “A Philistine girl in Timnah has caught my eye. Now get her for my wife.” 3 But his father and mother said to him, “Certainly you can find a wife among your relatives or among all our people! You should not have to go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines.” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, because she is the right one for me.” 4 Now his father and mother did not realize this was the Lord’s doing, because he was looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble with the Philistines (for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel).
5 Samson went down to Timnah. When he approached the vineyards of Timnah, he saw a roaring young lion attacking him. 6 The Lord’s Spirit empowered him, and he tore the lion in two with his bare hands as easily as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
7 Samson continued on down to Timnah and spoke to the girl. In his opinion, she was just the right one.
Illustration: We have a choice every day regarding our attitude
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of Attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important: than facts, than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do, than appearances, than giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the Attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our Attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so, it is with you…We are in charge of our attitudes.” (Charles Swindoll).