Judges 16

Judges 16:1

AND took] A figure of Christ his glorious resurrection, who could not be detained by death, Psal. 68. 20. Acts 2:24

Judges 16:9

His strength] From whence it came; namely from the spirit of God: and by what means his strength was preserved; namely by meanes of his strictly keeping his Nazarite-ship, through Gods sigular grace, which did tye Samson to that obedience, whereby it is likely that he had some expresse manifestation from God: though this gift was not common to all Nazarites.

Judges 16:13

Weavest] And windest it as the yarne for a web of cloth The seven] Any haire, divided into seven locks, as the gift of the Holy Ghost, are often represented by the number of seven: in signe of perfection: Exodus 25:37. Zach. 3. 9. and 4. 2. Revelations, chapt. 1. verse 4. and chapt. 5. verse 6.

Judges 16:14

Fastened] To the loome, having wound his haire about the yarne-beame.

Judges 16:17

If I be shaven] This did not depend upon the ordinary forme of the Nazarite, who might be without the miraculous gift of corporall strength; but it was a singular favour in Samson by Gods free will, annexed to the necessity of his obedience in letting his haire grow. For a figure of Christ, true Nazarite in holinesse, and also infinite strength and power; and for a document, that the spirit of sanctification, ought to be, and is in the faithfull: a spirit of spirituall strength, 2 Timothy Chapter 1. verse 7.

Judges 16:20

Was departed] hath taken away his gift from him.

Judges 16:21

He did grind] In hand-mills, as slaves did Exodus chapt 11. verse 5. Isa. chapt. 47. v. 2. Matthew 24:41.

Judges 16:22

The haire] And withall the gift of his former strength was restored unto him by the same free will of God, even according as the sacred signe of his long haire waxed.

Judges 16:23

Dagon] An Idoll of the Philistims in generall; though it seemeth his Temple was in Ashdod. the Hebrew name is taken from Dagon, which signifieth corne, as if hee had beene the God of Husbandry: or which is the most likely, from Dog, which signifieth fish: for it was of the shape of a fish from the middle of the body downeward, as it seemeth to be intimated 1 Samuel, chapter 5. verse 4. Because the Philistims were sea-men, and dwelt upon the sea-coast.

Judges 16:24

Saw him] Namely, after hee was taken.

Judges 16:25

Made them sport] Either he did indeed do some ridiculous acts, as blind men use to doe, or he onely feigned to conceale his intent:

Judges 16:27

Upon the roofe] Which was made after the manner of a Terrace.

Judges 16:30

Were me] A figure of the efficacy of Christs death, by which he finished all his combats against the devill and sinne; which he had begun by his preaching in the world, John 19:30, Hebrews 2:14.