June 2, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Judges, Proverbs, and Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 14 (NIV)
Samson’s Marriage
1 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people?…..Continue Reading
Samson is a man that God chose to fulfill His plan of destruction against the Philistines after Israel was in bondage to them for 40 years. God used him despite himself to fulfill His purpose. He was given by the Spirit extra physical strength at times to do God`s will. It is interesting to note that he is listed in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11:32 along with many others that put their faith in the Lord. This man no matter how we think of him was a vessel for the Lord. He had the Spirit`s power at times yet was also so carnal. He was such a man of many contrasts. According to my source. [All the Men of the Bible] {Samson stands out as a man of striking contrasts. He had a kind of Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde being. {1} He was separated as a Nazarite {Judge 13:5}, yet tampered with evil associations. {Judges 14:1-3} {2} He was occasionally Spirit-possessed. {Judg. 13:25; 15:14}, yet yielded to carnal appetites. {Judg. 16:1-4} {3} He appeared childish in some of his plans. {Judg. 15:4}, yet was courageous in battle. {Judg. 15:1-4} {4} He was mighty in physical strength. {Judg. 16:3,9,13,14}, yet weak in resisting temptation. {Judg. 16:15-17} {5} He had a noble beginning but a sad end. {Judg. 16:30} Samson broke all the vows as a Nazarite. Remember he was to not drink any wine or strong drink, not eat anything unclean, or cut his hair. He broke all of these in the end and this is why he lost his Spirit power strength. This true account of Samson teaches us how we shouldn`t yield to the flesh. As much as God used him with all of his carnality just think how God might had used him more. We will never know. But it is in here to teach us how we should walk. Without the sin. He had the Spirit`s power at times but this is different than what we have today. For we as believers have the Holy Spirit inside of us. When we are Spirit filled we are fully surrendered to the Lord and wouldn`t do things in the flesh. But when we sin, we are no longer filled with the Holy Spirit but still have Him residing in us. We can never lose our salvation although our fellowship would be broken with Him. We can battle with the flesh as long as we are in our body. This is why we must always come to Him in full surrender letting Him lead us in our daily walk with Him. When we do this than we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Complete surrender! 1John 1:9 We have the Holy Spirit to help and guide us where Samson only had moments of the Spirit`s power. We have the Holy Spirit with us always. God bless you all.
Judges 13
Judges 14
Samson breaks a cardinal rule of the Jews to not marry a foreign wife and yet God has a hand in it to bring judgment on the Philistines. And how evil to warn someone with harm if they don’t do something for you. Just goes to show the kind of people that Samson is connecting himself to. And Samson is such an impetus man driven by his desires. How important for us not to be the same and keep our emotions and our desires under control…
Samson is certainly a man driven by passion and desire. But God is using his impulsiveness to accomplish what He needs to with the Philistines. What terrible people to threaten Samson’s wife that way especially as she was one of their own people. In turn instead of confiding in her husband, she chose a devious route and manipulated Samson to get what she needed. When Samson lashes out it says the “spirit of the Lord came over him” but God used this opportunity not to allow Samson’s hurt feeling to be avenged but rather to take action against the Philistines. No surprise this marriage did NOT work out!
”But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.“
Judges 14:4 NKJV
Samson’s story makes me of two minds. God is sovereign and even in our failures and disobedience He sees all and knows all, and His plan stands. My other thought is that we cannot use Samson’s story as justification for our behavior.
– marrying an unbeliever
– being deceitful
– responding with revenge
– justifying anger or violence
Or his wife’s behavior:
– manipulation
– unfaithfulness
Good readings.!!!just amazing how it’s sometimes an individual. And sometimes a nation that disobeys and suffers. Examples for us to learn from. Would not have made it in Old Testament times. Age of GRACE!!
Judges 14