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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 14:3

3, 4. Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren—that is, "of thine own tribe"—a Danite woman. Samson said . . . Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well—literally, "she is right in mine eyes"; not by her beautiful countenance or handsome figure, but right or fit for his purpose. And this throws light on the historian's remark in reference to the resistance of his parents: they "knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines"—rather, "from... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 14:1-4

Samson’s decision to marry a Philistine 14:1-4Timnah was only about four miles southwest of Zorah. The word "woman" in Judges 14:2 is in the emphatic position in the Hebrew text. Samson described her to his parents as the ideal woman from his viewpoint. Dating as we know it in the West was unknown in Samson’s culture. The parents of young people contacted each other and arranged for their children to meet and eventually to marry.Samson’s godly parents’ response to his desire was undoubtedly a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 14:1-20

2. Samson’s intended marriage to the Timnite ch. 14Chapter 13 describes Samson’s potential: his godly heritage, supernatural birth, calling in life, and divine enablement. The Israelites enjoyed each of these privileges, as does every Christian. Chapter 14 reveals Samson’s problem and God’s providence."Despite all these advantages and this special attention, Samson accomplishes less on behalf of his people than any of his predecessors. Perhaps herein lies his significance. . . . Though Samson... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 14:1-20

The Marriage of Samson1-5. Samson chooses a wife among the Philistines. He and his parents go down to Timnath.2. Timnath] some 4 m. SW. of Zorah, allotted to Dan (Joshua 19:43); it was retaken by the Philistines in the reign of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). Get her for me to wife] It was customary for parents to conduct the negotiations and pay the dowry: cp. Genesis 34:4-12.3. Cp. Genesis 24:3; Genesis 26:34; Genesis 27:46; Genesis 4. It was of the Lord] God purposed to use Samson as a weapon... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 14:1

(1) To Timnath.—This town, of which the site still retains the name Tibneh, is perhaps the same as that in Genesis 38:12, unless that be a town in the mountains of Judah, as Judah is there said to have “gone up” not as here, “down” to it. In Joshua 15:10 it is assigned to Judah, but appears to have been afterwards ceded to Dan (Joshua 19:45). The name means “a portion,” and is found also in Timnath-serah, where Joshua was buried (Joshua 24:30).Of the daughters of the Philistines.—This was... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 14:2

(2) Get her for me to wife.—These arrangements were always left to parents, who paid the marriage dower (Genesis 34:4-12). (Comp. Judges 12:9; Nehemiah 10:30, &c.) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 14:3

(3) Of the uncircumcised Philistines.—This on the lips of Israelites was a term of peculiar hatred (1 Samuel 17:36). How repugnant such a marriage would be in the eyes of Manoah and his wife we may see from the story of Simeon, Levi, and the Shechemites (Gen. xxxiv).She pleaseth me well.—Literally, she is right in my eyes (Judges 14:7; 1 Kings 9:12). read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 14:4

(4) That it was of the Lord.—All that can be meant is that in this marriage God was overruling the course of events to the furtherance of His own designs. He makes even the weakness and the fierceness of man redound to His praise. (Comp. Joshua 11:10; 2 Chronicles 25:20.) See the same phrase in the story of Rehoboam’s folly (1 Kings 12:15). “Behold this evil is of the Lord,” says Elisha in 2 Kings 6:33. It is the strong sense of the Divine rule which we find even in heathen writers, so that in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 14:1-20

Judges 14:1 All transitions are dangerous; and the most dangerous is the transition from the restraint of the family circle to the non-restraint of the world. Herbert Spencer. Reference. XIV. 4. J. N. Norton, Golden Truths, p. 369. Judges 14:5-6 God never gives strength, but he employs it. Poverty meets one like an armed man; infamy, like some furious mastiff, comes flying in the face of another; the wild boar out of the forest, or the bloody tiger of persecution, sets on one; the brawling... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 14:1-20

5SAMSON PLUNGING INTO LIFEJudges 13:24-25; Judges 14:1-20Or all who move before us in the Book of Judges Samson is preeminently the popular hero. In rude giant strength and wild daring he stands alone against the enemies of Israel, contemptuous of their power and their plots. It is just such a man who catches the public eye and lives in the traditions of a country. Most Hebrews of the time minded piety and culture as little as did the Norsemen when they first professed Christianity. Both races... read more

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