Judges 16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16

Samson's name (we have observed before) signifies a little sun (sol parvus); we have seen this sun rising very bright, and his morning ray strong and clear; and, nothing appearing to the contrary, we take it for granted that the middle of the day was proportionably illustrious, while he judged Israel twenty years; but the melancholy story of this chapter gives us such an account of his evening as did not commend his day. This little sun set under a cloud, and yet, just in the setting, darted... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:1-3

Here is, 1. Samson's sin, Jdg. 16:1. His taking a Philistine to wife, in the beginning of his time, was in some degree excusable, but to join himself to a harlot that he accidentally saw among them was such a profanation of his honour as an Israelite, as a Nazarite, that we cannot but blush to read it. Tell it not in Gath. This vile impurity makes the graceful visage of this Nazarite blacker than a coal, Lam. 4:7, 8. We find not that Samson had any business in Gaza; if he went thither in quest... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:4-17

The burnt child dreads the fire; yet Samson, that has more than the strength of a man, in this comes short of the wisdom of a child; for, though he had been more than once brought into the highest degree of mischief and danger by the love of women and lusting after them, yet he would not take warning, but is here again taken in the same snare, and this third time pays for all. Solomon seems to refer especially to this story of Samson when, in his caution against uncleanness, he gives this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:18-21

We have here the fatal consequences of Samson's folly in betraying his own strength; he soon paid dearly for it. A whore is a deep ditch; he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. In that pit Samson sinks. Observe, 1. What care Delilah took to make sure of the money for herself. She now perceived, by the manner of his speaking, that he had told her all his heart, and the lords of the Philistines that hired her to do this base thing are sent for; but they must be sure to bring the... read more

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

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 16 In this chapter we have an account of Samson's too great familiarity with two harlots; by the one he was brought into great danger, and narrowly escaped, Judges 16:1 , and by the other he was betrayed into the hands of the Philistines, having got the secret out of him wherein his great strength lay, Judges 16:4 who having him in their hands, put out his eyes, imprisoned him, and in their idol temple made sport of him, Judges 16:21 , where praying for renewed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:1

Then went Samson to Gaza ,.... One of the five principalities of the Philistines, which was ten miles from Ashkelon, as Sandys F17 Travels, l. 3. p. 118. says; who also describes F18 Travels, l. 3. p. 116. it as standing upon an hill environed with valleys, and these again well nigh enclosed with hills, most of them planted with all sorts of delicate fruits; and, according to Bunting F19 Ut supra. (Travels, l. 3. p. 118.) , forty two miles from Ramathlehi, the place where... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:2

And it was told the Gazites ,.... The inhabitants of Gaza, the principal ones of it, the magistrates of the city, either by some persons that saw him come in, who knew him, or by the harlot into whose company he fell, to whom he made himself known: saying, Samson is come hither ; the man so famous for his strength, and such an enemy to the Philistines; his name was well known for his great exploits, and rung throughout Palestine, and was a terror to the whole country: and they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:3

And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight ,.... Either not being able to lie any longer through the conviction of his conscience for his lewdness, or being warned by a dream, or having an impulse upon his spirit, which suggested to him that wait was laid for him, and the danger he was in; and coming to the gate of the city, which he found shut and fast barred and bolted, and the watch perhaps asleep, not expecting his coming until daylight: and took the doors of the gate of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:4

And it came to pass afterwards, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek ,.... Which, according to Adrichomius F25 Ut supra, (Theatrum Terra Sanct.) p. 24. was but half a mile from the brook Eshcol, from whence the spies brought a bunch of grapes, as a specimen of the fruit of the land of Canaan; and this valley of Sorek seems to have been famous for the best wine, and hither Samson retired for refreshment and pleasure; but, according to Jerom F26 De loc. Heb. fol. 94. L. ,... read more

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