Judges 16:1-3 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:1

Then went Samson to Gaza , and saw there a harlot - The Chaldee, as in the former case, renders the clause thus: Samson saw there a woman, an inn-keeper. Perhaps the word זונה zonah is to be taken here in its double sense; one who keeps a house for the entertainment of travelers, and who also prostitutes her person. Gaza was situated near the Mediterranean Sea, and was one of the most southern cities of Palestine. It has been supposed by some to have derived its name... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:2

They compassed him in - They shut up all the avenues, secured the gates, and set persons in ambush near them, that they might attack him on his leaving the city early the next morning. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:3

Took the doors of the gate - Though Samson was a very strong man, yet we do not find that he was a giant; consequently we may conjecture that the gates of the city were not very large, as he took at once the doors, the two posts, and the bar, with him. The cities of those days would appear to disadvantage among modern villages. A hill - before Hebron - Possibly there were two Hebrons; it could not be the city generally understood by the word Hebron, as that was about... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:1

Gaza - About 8 hours from Eleutheropolis, and one of the chief strong-holds of the Philistines. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:3

Instead of forcing the doors open, he tore the posts up, as it were, by the roots, with the barred doors attached to them. The word rendered “went away with them,” means “to pluck up the tent-pins,” and hence, “to remove.” The present town of Gaza (Ghuzzeh) is an open town, without gates or walls, but the sites of the ancient gates still remain visible. One of these, on the southeast, is shown as the gate carried off by Samson.A partially-isolated hill, about half-an-hour southeast of Gaza, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:1

Judges 16:1. And saw there a harlot Although the Hebrew word זונה , zoneh, here rendered harlot, also means a woman that keeps an inn, it seems evident, on the face of the story, that this woman really was what our translators have taken her to have been, a harlot. Samson, it seems, going into a house of public entertainment to refresh himself, saw there this woman, and by giving way to look upon her was insnared. read more

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:1

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