Judges 16:4-20 NIV

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her ,.... Having heard that Samson kept company with her, she being a noted strumpet, like Lais among the Grecians. These were in number five, as appears from Judges 3:3 and had under them five principalities, into which Palestine was divided; and these, if not united in their government, which possibly might be the case at this time, yet were united against their common enemy Samson; and being great personages, it is thought by some they came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:6

And Delilah said to Samson ,.... At a proper opportunity, when in his hands and caresses, as Josephus relates F5 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 9.) , and introduced it in an artful manner, admiring his strange exploits, and wondering how he could perform them: tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth ; which she proposed seemingly out of mere curiosity, and as it would be a proof of his affection to her, to impart the secret to her: and wherewith thou... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:7

And Samson said unto her ,.... In answer to her pressing solicitations: if they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried ; the word is sometimes used for nerves, and cords or ropes; but neither of these can be here meant, since these, if moistened or made wet, are the less fit to bind with, and the drier the better; but rods or branches of trees just cut off, such as faggots are bound up with, or green osiers, which are easily bent and twisted, and may bind with; Josephus ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:8

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her ,.... To the chamber where she was with Samson, she having acquainted them with what he had told her: seven green withs, which had not been dried ; just such as he had described and directed to: and she bound him with them ; taking an opportunity, very likely, when he was asleep, and drunk too, according to Josephus F24 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 11. : the Philistines did not attempt to bind him, supposing that he would not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:9

Now there were men lying in wait ,.... Very likely some of the servants of the lords of the Philistines, who were placed privately on purpose, that when an opportunity offered, they might rush out, and fall upon Samson; Josephus F25 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 11. calls them soldiers: abiding with her in the chamber ; in a private part of it, or otherwise they could not be said to lie in wait; in it may mean near it; perhaps it was in the next apartment to hers, where they were set: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:10

And Delilah said unto Samson ,.... Not on the same day, but some time after, as Kimchi observes, when an opportunity offered, and he was in like circumstances as before; for had she immediately attacked him, it might have created some suspicion in him of a design against him: behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies ; deceived her with lies, by telling her the other day that if he was bound with green withs, he should become as weak as other men; which she, out of curiosity as she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:11

And he said unto her ,.... Abarbinel presents Samson replying to her, that he had told her the truth at first, only forgot one circumstance, that the "cords", for so he takes the word for "withs" to signify, should be "new", such as were never used, as follows: if they bind me fast with new ropes, that never were occupied ; the word signifies thick ropes, which, according to Kimchi and Ben Melech, were trebled, or made of three cords twisted together, and those such as were just made,... read more

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:11

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