Judges 14

Judges 14:1

TImnath] A town upon the confines of Judah, Dan, and Ephraim, lying west-ward from Zorah, towards the Mediterranean sea. See Genesis 28:12. Joh. 15. 10, 57. 2 Chro. 28. 18.

Judges 14:2

get her for me] That is, because I ought not to take a wife without your consent and liking, being my parents. See Genesis 21:21. and 24. 3. 26. 34, 35.

Judges 14:3

of thy brethren] That is, of thy kinred, tribe or nation.

uncircumcised] For by Gods expresse commandment, they were forbidden to marry with such, unlesse they became proselytes to their religion, and entred into the same covenant, Exodus 23:22. 34. 12, 16. Deuteronomy 7:2-3.

for she pleaseth me] Hebr. she is right in mine eyes, This he speaketh, not carried with lust of youth, but by a secret motion of the spirit, which he concealeth, chusing rather to manifest it by his ensuing actions, then by his words.

Judges 14:4

that it was of the Lord] Who hath power to dispence with his own laws, Gen. 22. 1, 2. and Exodus 3:22. And in his wise providence would have him take this occasion against the Philistines, listines, to fall at enmity with them upon a just cause; that out of these private quarrels, he might proceed to publike and hostile actions, suitable to his calling.

Judges 14:5

father and mother] Having changed their mindes, and yeelded to his desire.

lion roared against him] Heb. in meeting him, His parents being absent, and he having (it seemeth) gone from them out of the common way upon some occasion, as is implyed, v. 8.

Judges 14:6

came mightily] That is, inspired him with courage and strength, that by this essay he might confirm him in his calling (as it befell David in like case, 1 Samuel 17:34.) and to incourage him to take up emnity against the Philistines, trusting upon Gods power, affisting him; and that he might have matter supplyed for his riddlo, which proved the occasion and cause of their quarrell.

Judges 14:7

he went down] That is, being accompanied by his parents.

Judges 14:8

to take her] To wit, in marriage.

turned aside] Namely, out of the common way, into the place where he had stain the lion.

Judges 14:9

he told them not] Neither, where he had the honey, nor of his killing the lion; that keeping it secret, it might be the subject of his riddle, v. 16.

Judges 14:10

his father] To wit, as chief of his company, but with him his mother, and rest of his friends.

a feast] That is, a wedding feast, lasting seven dayes, as young men used to do when they married wives.

Judges 14:11

saw him] That is, some thing remarkable in him for strength, stature and demeanure.

they brought thirty companions] Which they did to honour him in shew, but indeed to have an eye over him, and to provide for their own safety, whatsoever should happen.

Judges 14:12

a riddle unto you] That is, a dark speech, in which, something lyeth hidden, under the litterall sense, that is to be found out by the wit of the hearers, which is a pleasant and innocent excrcise of the wit, fit for feasts, to keep the guests from worse imployments. See Ezekiel 17:2.

seven dayes] The usuall time appointed for marriage feasts, Genesis 29:27.

then I will give you] To wit, as a prize, or reward of your wit and industry.

thirty sheets] Or, shirts; that is, Fine linen cloaths, which in those east countries they used for sundry purposes, by day or night. Of this we read, Matthew 27:59. Mark 14:51. So here the same is used in the Greek.

Judges 14:13

Put forth thy ridde] q. d. We accept of the wager, therefore propound thy riddle.

Judges 14:14

Out of the eater] That is, which lives by prey, devoures all, and is food for none.

the streng] That is, the strongest of beasts that live by prey, came forth that which is most sweet.

three dayes] That is, they tyred their wits in vain, to finde out the meaning; and from thence forward they begun to work with Samsons wife, to the seventh day by inticements, but not prevailing with her, or rather she with her husband, they provoke the utmost of her endeavours by terrours and threats.

Judges 14:15

declare unto us] That is, that making it known to thee, thou maist declare the meaning of it to us.

to take that we have] Heb. to possesse us, or, to impoverishus.

Judges 14:16

children of my people] That is, the thirty Philistines, which are they companions.

Judges 14:17

seven dayes] Or, the rest of the seven dayes from the third.

the riddle] That is, the meaning of the riddle.

Judges 14:18

If ye had not plowed] That is, if my wife had not unfaithfully discovered my secret, perswaded hereunto by your subtilty, you had never by your own wit found out the meaning. An allegory taken from husbandmen, who in plowing, by the labour of their beasts, finde things hidden under the earth, when the plow turns it up; wherein he taxeth both his wives persidi ousnesse, and their fraud, and want of wit.

Judges 14:19

the spirit] See v. 6.

Ashkelon] A citie lying on the borders of Dan, belonging to Judah and Simeon, Chap. 1. 18. But now possessed by the Philistines, whose inhabitants Samson slew.

spoil] Or, apparell.

anger was kindled] To wit, against his thirty companions, and his wife; and therefore he went from her to his fathers house.

Judges 14:20

was given] That is, in marriage.

his companion] To wit, one of the thirty Philistines, whom in the marriage feast he had chosen for his friend, according to the custome in those countries, John 3:29.