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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 15:1-8

Here is, I. Samson's return to his wife, whom he had left in displeasure; not hearing perhaps that she was given to another, when time had a little cooled his resentments, he came back to her, visited her with a kid, Jdg. 15:1. The value of the present was inconsiderable, but it was intended as a token of reconciliation, and perhaps was then so used, when those that had been at variance were brought together again; he sent this, that he might sup with her in her apartments, and she with him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:3

And Samson said concerning them ,.... His wife's father, and other relations, and the citizens of Timnath; this, which is what follows, he said either within himself respecting them, or he said it to them openly and publicly before them all: now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure ; signifying, that if he did them an ill thing, or what might be reckoned an injury to their persons or properties, and which would be disagreeable and displeasing to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:4

And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes ,.... Nor should this be thought at all incredible, since Canaan and Palestine abounded with foxes; hence several places therein had their names of Shual, which signifies a fox, Joshua 15:28 . A traveller F23 Morrison's Voyage, l. 2. c. 31. apud Calmet in the word "Fox". in those parts says that foxes swarm there, and that there are very great numbers of them in the hedges, and ruins of buildings: and these creatures were very pernicious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:5

And when he had set the brands on fire ,.... Disposed as before related; and foxes being naturally fearful of, and frightened with fire, and especially so near them as at their tails, would run into the first place they could for shelter: he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines ; which being ripe, as it was now wheat harvest, would soon take fire; and taking fire, this would in course cause the foxes to run still further to other parts of standing corn, and set fire to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:6

Then the Philistines said, who hath done this ?.... They asked and inquired one of another, who they thought could be the author of such mischief: and they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite ; this they said either by conjecture, which might be the case of some; and others more confidently asserted it, having heard what he said, Judges 15:3 and they assign a very good reason for it: because he had already taken away his wife, and given her to his companion , which had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:7

And Samson said unto them ,.... After they had burnt his wife and her father in their dwelling house, by which they thought to appease him, being afraid of him: though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you ; not for burning his wife and father-in-law; his sense is, that though they had done this, in order to ingratiate themselves with him, yet he should not stop on this account, but be avenged on them, not for private injuries done to him, or any that had been in connection... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:8

And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter ,.... Either smote them on their hips and thighs with his hands (for it does not appear he had any weapon of war), so that they were sadly bruised, and maimed, and lamed, that they could not stir, and of which blows and bruises multitudes died: or he smote them with his legs on their thighs, kicked them about at pleasure, which kicks numbers of them never got over; or the meaning of the proverbial expression is, he laid on them at a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:4

Went and caught three hundred foxes - There has been much controversy concerning the meaning of the term שועלים shualim , some supposing it to mean foxes or jackals, and others handfuls or sheaves of corn. Much of the force of the objections against the common version will be diminished by the following considerations: - Foxes, or jackals, are common and gregarious in that country. It is not hinted that Samson collected them alone; he might have employed several hands in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:6

Burnt her and her father - This was probably done to appease Samson: as they saw he had been unjustly treated both by his wife and her father; therefore they destroyed them both, that they might cause his wrath to cease from them. And this indeed seems intimated in the following verse: And Samson said - Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you; that is, I am not yet satisfied: ye have done me great wrongs, I must have proportionate redress; then I shall rest satisfied. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:8

He smote them hip and thigh - This also is variously understood; but the general meaning seems plain; he appears to have had no kind of defensive weapon, therefore he was obliged to grapple with them, and, according to the custom of wrestlers, trip up their feet, and then bruise them to death. Some translate heaps upon heaps; others, he smote horsemen and footmen; others, he wounded them from their legs to their thighs, etc., etc. See the different versions. Some think in their... read more

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