(3) The angel of the Lord.—On this expression see Judges 2:1. Rabbi Levi Ben Gershom says that this “messenger of the Lord” was Phinehas; but nothing can be clearer than that, as in Judges 6:11, Genesis 18:10, Luke 1:11-28, a supernatural being is meant. read more
Judges 13:21 The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us, and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. George Eliot. A Woman's Logic Judges 13:22-23 We say usually that woman has instinct and man has logic. That is an ingenious definition to save the masculine face. For really instinct is logic without its forms, and you have only to look at this text to see that the woman's instinct and logic are alike sound and convincing. I.... read more
THE ANGEL IN THE FIELDJudges 13:1-18IN our ignorance not in our knowledge, in our blindness not in our light, we call nature secular and think of the ordinary course of events as a series of cold operations, governed by law and force, having nothing to do with divine purpose and love. Oftentimes we think so, and suffer because we do not understand. It is a pitiful error. The natural could not exist, there could be neither substance nor order without the over-nature which is at once law and... read more
6. Sixth Declension: Under the Philistines and Samson CHAPTER 13 1. Israel delivered to the Philistines (Judges 13:1 ) 2. Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:2-23 ) 3. Samson born (Judges 13:24-25 ) The sixth and last declension of Israel in this book is now before us. This section has deep and interesting lessons. The darkest period is reached. The Philistines lorded over Israel. We miss in connection with this declension the statement which occurs in every preceding departure from Jehovah:... read more
SAMSON THE NAZARITE The close of chapter 12 furnishes the history of three other civil judges, and then we reach that of another warrior as picturesque as Gideon or Jephthah. Sampson’s life is so full of inconsistencies and mysteries from the divine standpoint, that again we can only await the explanations until we shall know as we are known. THE PROMISED SON (Judges 13:0 ) Here is another theophany, for “the angel of the Lord” is none other than Jehovah Jesus. The beginning of this... read more
Judges 13:0 (Annotated) Judges 13:0 1. And the children of Israel did evil again [see chap. Judges 3:7 , Judges 4:1 , Judges 6:1-11 , Jdg 10:6 ] in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines [who from this point to the reign of David play a most important part. By Philistines we are not to understand Canaanites, but foreign conquerors; the name means camps ] forty years [terminating with the battle of Ebenezer, 1Sa 7:13 ]. 2. And there was a certain... read more
If the Reader will connect what is here said of this angel, with what is said of him in Judges 13:18 , where the angel declares his name to be Secret, or as it might have been translated Wonderful: and then will call to mind what the Holy Ghost hath said of the Lord Jesus, by his servant the prophet Isaiah, that his name should be called Wonderful; such views will leave the Reader but little room to doubt who the angel was. See Isaiah 9:6 . And if the Reader will go further, and read Judges... read more
Angel, in human form. Some Protestants pretend that he was "the Son of God," and yet (ver. 16) they say, "he sought not his own honour, but God's, whose messenger he was," (Bible, 1603) in which they plainly contradict themselves, or else teach Arianism, as if the Son were not true God, and equal to his Father. (Worthington) --- The title of God, (Jehova) which is given to this angel, (ver. 15, 21) is no proof that he was the Supreme Being, chap. vi. 11. read more
1-7 Israel did evil: then God delivered them again into the hands of the Philistines. When Israel was in this distress, Samson was born. His parents had been long childless. Many eminent persons were born of such mothers. Mercies long waited for, often prove signal mercies; and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in God's mercy. The angel notices her affliction. God often sends comfort to his people very seasonably, when they feel their troubles most. This deliverer of... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 13:1-25
The Story of SamsonExcept for Judges 15:20 and Judges 16:31, Samson has none of the characteristics of a Judge. His exploits against the Philistines are all solitary, and though they doubtless afforded relief to the Israelites, they left no permanent result. We learn much more of the internal organisation of the Philistines than of any of the other foes of Israel; and it was their continued and formidable opposition which, under the will of Jehovah, really welded Israel into a single nation in... read more