Judges 16:5 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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:5

See wherein his great strength lieth - They saw that his stature was not remarkable: and that, nevertheless, he had most extraordinary strength; therefore they supposed that it was the effect of some charm or amulet. The lords of the Philistines were the five following: Gaza, Gath, Askelon, Ekron, and Ashdod. All these considered Samson as a public enemy; and they promised this bad woman a large sum of money if she would obtain from him the important secret wherein his strength... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines - See Judges 3:3 note.His great strength lieth - Rather, “wherein his strength is great.”Eleven hundred pieces of silver - The greatness of the bribe offered to Delilah, 5,500 shekels of silver, nearly two talents (Exodus 38:24, note), shows the importance attached to Samson’s capture. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:5

Judges 16:5. The lords of the Philistines came unto her The lords of their five principal cities, which were leagued together against him as their common enemy. See wherein his great strength lieth They probably imagined that Samson attained his great strength by the use of some magic art; that we may bind him to afflict him To chastise him for his injuries to us. They meant to punish him severely, but they expressed it in mild words, lest it might move her to pity him. Every one... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 16:5

lords. See note on Joshua 13:3 . afflict = humble. eleven hundred. One of the two occurrences of this number. Eleven = the number of defective administration (= 12 - 1. See App-10 ). Compare Judges 17:2 , where similar want of rule is seen. This 1,100 ruined them politically; the other (Judges 17:2 ) ruined them religiously. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 16:5

Judges 16:5. We will give—eleven hundred pieces of silver— By which, says Bishop Patrick, is commonly understood so many shekels; for the Jews make it a rule, that where pieces of silver are mentioned, shekels are meant; the whole sum amounted to about 344£. Judges 16:7. Weak— Worn away. Schult. p. 268. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:5

5. the lords of the Philistines—The five rulers deemed no means beneath their dignity to overcome this national enemy. Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth—They probably imagined that he carried some amulet about his person, or was in the possession of some important secret by which he had acquired such herculean strength; and they bribed Delilah, doubtless by a large reward, to discover it for them. She undertook the service and made several attempts, plying all her arts of... 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