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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 15:4

Judges 15:4. And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes— Samson was moved to take a wife from the Philistines, in order to find occasion against them: such occasions are seldom long wanting where marriages of this kind are contracted between persons of different countries, different religions, or different interests. Samson had sufficient cause for that resentment which he executed, as we read in this and the following verses. 1. Some have thought it difficult to believe, that Samson could... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 15:4

4, 5. went and caught three hundred foxes—rather, "jackals"; an animal between a wolf and a fox, which, unlike our fox, a solitary creature, prowls in large packs or herds and abounds in the mountains of Palestine. The collection of so great a number would require both time and assistance. took firebrands—torches or matches which would burn slowly, retaining the fire, and blaze fiercely when blown by the wind. He put two jackals together, tail by tail, and fastened tightly a fire match between... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 15:1-8

Samson’s revenge on the Timnites 15:1-8Wheat harvest took place in late May or early June in this part of Palestine. [Note: Cundall and Morris, p. 168.] Samson’s anger had cooled, and he decided to return to Timnah and arrange for the completion of his marriage. Instead of flowers or candy he took a young goat as a gift for his fiancée. The woman’s father, however, claimed that he was sure Samson so thoroughly hated his daughter because of her betrayal that he would never want to marry her.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 15:1-20

3. Samson’s vengeance on the Philistines ch. 15Samson’s weaknesses dominate chapter 14, but his strengths shine forth in chapter 15. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:1-20

Samson Slaughters the PhilistinesSamson, being denied his wife, burns the corn of the Philistines. He is delivered up to them by the men of Judah, but bursts his bonds, and slaughters many of the Philistines.1, 2. Samson is denied his wife.1. Wheat harvest] i.e. about May: cp. Judges 15:4. The reason for the last clause is given in Judges 14:19, Judges 14:20. 2. The father still desires to be conciliatory to one who might prove so valuable a son-in-law.3-8. Samson’s Revenge.3. More blameless... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 15:4

(4) Caught three hundred foxes.—Rather, three hundred jackals. The word Shualim is used for both; but it would be difficult to catch three hundred foxes, whereas the jackals are still heard howling in herds about these very regions at night. They must have been still more common in Palestine in ancient days, and hence we find such names as “the land of Shual” (1 Samuel 13:17), Hazar-shual (“jackal’s enclosure,” Joshua 15:28), Shalim (1 Samuel 11:4), Shaalabbin (“place of foxes or jackals,”... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 15:5

(5) Into the standing corn of the Philistines.—He probably did this at night, when his actions would be unobserved, and no one would be at hand to quench the flames. We may imagine him watching the trails of fire from his rocky fastness, and exulting as the conflagration reddened the night. The heat of a tropical country makes everything so dry that his plan would be certain to succeed. To burn the crops of an Arab is to this day the deadliest of all injuries (Burckhardt). This was the method... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 15:1-20

Judges 15:15 Is it fair to call the famous Drapier's Letters patriotism? They are masterpieces of dreadful humour and invective: they are reasoned logically enough too, but the proposition is as monstrous and fabulous as the Lilliputian island. It is not that the grievance is so great, but there is his enemy the assault is wonderful for its activity and terrible rage. It is Samson, with a bone in his hand, rushing on his enemies and felling them: one admires not the cause so much as the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 15:1-20

DAUNTLESS IN BATTLE, IGNORANTLY BRAVEJudges 15:1-20GIVEN a man of strong passions and uninstructed conscience, wild courage and giant energy, with the sense of a mission which he has to accomplish against his country’s enemies, so that he reckons himself justified in doing them injury or killing them in the name of God, and you have no complete hero, but a real and interesting man. Such a character, however, does not command our admiration. The enthusiasm we feel in tracing the career of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 15:1-20

CHAPTER 15 The Conflict with the Philistines: Bound Yet Free 1. The damage done to the Philistines (Judges 15:1-8 ) 2. Bound by his own brethren (Judges 15:9-13 ) 3. The deed with the jawbone (Judges 15:14-17 ) 4. His prayer and the answer (Judges 15:18-20 ) He discovered next the true character of the Philistines. His wife has been given to another. Nothing came of his alliance with the Philistines but trouble and unpleasantness for himself. Was it of the Lord when he took the 300... read more

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