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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:22-31

Though the last stage of Samson's life was inglorious, and one could wish there were a veil drawn over it, yet this account here given of his death may be allowed to lessen, though it does not quite roll away, the reproach of it; for there was honour in his death. No doubt he greatly repented of his sin, the dishonour he had by it done to God and his forfeiture of the honour God had put upon him; for that God was reconciled to him appears, 1. By the return of the sign of his Nazariteship (Jdg.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:26

And Samson said to the lad that held him by the hand ,.... And led him about; as nothing is more common now than for a blind man to be led by a boy: suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth ; he might by information know in what manner the house was built, that it was supported by pillars, if he had never been in it before when he had his sight; and he might understand, by some means or another, that he was near these pillars, and placed between them, though... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:26

More literally, “let me rest, and let me feel the pillars, that I may lean upon them.” He feigned weariness with his dancing and singing, and asked to recover himself by leaning against the pillars. The flat roof, from the top of which, as well as under it, spectators could see what was being done on the stage in front, was mainly supported by two pillars. The lords and principal persons sat UNDER the roof, while the people, to the number of 3,000, stood ON the flat roof. When the pillars were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:26

Judges 16:26. The pillars whereon the house standeth It is probable that this house, whether it were a temple or theatre, was no more than a wooden building, raised for the present occasion, much in the form of an amphitheatre, in the midst of which were two large wooden pillars, on which the main beams of the roof rested, so that if these should be pulled away, the building must necessarily fall. Pliny, in the fifteenth chapter of the thirty-sixth book of his Natural History, speaks of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 16:1-31

Samson’s exploits (14:1-16:31)So dominant were the Philistines in Israel, that the Israelites had decided to live with them peacefully rather than try to rise up in armed rebellion. Samson had other ideas. He thought that his marriage to a Philistine woman would give him the opportunity to do some harm to the enemy (14:1-4).In spite of Samson’s desire to help Israel, he had little respect for either his Nazirite vow or the Israelite law. He handled a dead lion, married a Philistine woman and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 16:1-31

4. Samson’s final fatal victory ch. 16To this point in his history Samson had demonstrated some faith in God, even though "the exploits of Samson read like the actions of an uncontrollable juvenile delinquent." [Note: Cundall and Morris, p. 155.] However, his unwillingness to remain dedicated to God resulted eventually in his loss of strength, his enslavement, and his death. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 16:7-31

II. THE RECORD OF ISRAEL’S APOSTASY 3:7-16:31"The judges are twelve in number, reckoning either Deborah or Barak as a judge and omitting Abimelech, whose status in fact depended wholly on his descent from Gideon, and who was in effect not a ’deliverer’, and a ’judge’ only in the sense of a local ruler on his own account." [Note: John Gray, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, p. 189.] Israel’s JudgesJudgeScriptureIsrael’s OppressorsLength in YearsNation(s)King(s)OppressionJudgeshipPeaceOthnielJudges... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 16:22-31

Samson’s triumph in death 16:22-31A spark of hope flickered in the darkness of Samson’s prison cell. His hair began to grow back (Judges 16:22). In grace God permitted Samson’s hair to return, symbolizing the possibility of his renewed commitment to Yahweh. However, God did not restore Samson’s eyesight. God always gives opportunity for divine service after failure, but we may not be able to serve Him as we could in the past.We might suppose that the Philistines would have been careful to keep... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:1-31

Samson’s Escape from Gaza. Delilah’s Treachery. Samson’s Death1-3. Samson and Gaza.1. Gaza] 2 m. from the coast, and the last town of Palestine on the coast road to Egypt. Here Samson would be a whole day’s journey from his mountain home, in his enemies’ territory.2, 3. They appear not to have surrounded the house, but waited to kill him when he found the gates closed in the morning. He suspects their plan, and does not wait till morning. The two gates would turn on pins, and be made by locks... read more

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