Judges 14:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 14:10-20

We have here an account of Samson's wedding feast and the occasion it gave him to fall foul upon the Philistines. I. Samson conformed to the custom of the country in making a festival of his nuptial solemnities, which continued seven days, Jdg. 13:10. Though he was a Nazarite, he did not affect, in a thing of this nature, to be singular, but did as the young men used to do upon such occasions. It is no part of religion to go contrary to the innocent usages of the places where we live: nay, it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 14:17

And she wept before him the seven days, while the feast lasted ,.... Those that remained of the seven days, from the fourth to this time, as Kimchi seems rightly to interpret it; though some think she began to beseech him with tears, on the first day of the feast, to impart the secret to her for her own satisfaction; and then, after the men had urged her on the fourth day to persuade her husband to it, she continued pressing him more earnestly with tears unto the seventh day. Some, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 14:17

And she wept before him - Not through any love to him, for it appears she had none, but to oblige her paramours; and of this he soon had ample proof. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 14:17

Judges 14:17. She wept before him, the seven days Or rather, the rest of the seven days; that is, either after the third day, (Judges 14:14,) or all the seventh day, from the time her countrymen came and threatened her till she persuaded Samson to tell her the riddle. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 14:1-20

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 14:1-20

2. Samson’s intended marriage to the Timnite ch. 14Chapter 13 describes Samson’s potential: his godly heritage, supernatural birth, calling in life, and divine enablement. The Israelites enjoyed each of these privileges, as does every Christian. Chapter 14 reveals Samson’s problem and God’s providence."Despite all these advantages and this special attention, Samson accomplishes less on behalf of his people than any of his predecessors. Perhaps herein lies his significance. . . . Though Samson... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 14:15-20

Samson’s losses 14:15-20The writer called the Timnite "Samson’s wife" even though the engaged couple had not yet consummated their marriage (Judges 14:15)."The usual length of a [wedding] celebration was seven days and the marriage was not consummated until the end of that period." [Note: Cundall and Morris, pp. 165-65.] Samson’s loyalty to his parents above his "wife" is understandable since he had not yet consummated his marriage to her (Judges 14:16). Samson’s "wife" was afraid that her... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 14:1-20

The Marriage of Samson1-5. Samson chooses a wife among the Philistines. He and his parents go down to Timnath.2. Timnath] some 4 m. SW. of Zorah, allotted to Dan (Joshua 19:43); it was retaken by the Philistines in the reign of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). Get her for me to wife] It was customary for parents to conduct the negotiations and pay the dowry: cp. Genesis 34:4-12.3. Cp. Genesis 24:3; Genesis 26:34; Genesis 27:46; Genesis 4. It was of the Lord] God purposed to use Samson as a weapon... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 14:17

(17) The seven days.—The margin suggests that it may mean the rest of the seven days. If not, it can only imply that mere feminine curiosity had induced Samson’s wife to weary her husband to tell her the secret from the first.On the seventh day.—Perhaps he hoped that he might prevent her from finding an opportunity to betray his secret.He told her.—“Keep the door of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom” (Micah 7:5).She lay sore upon him—i.e., she grievously troubled him (LXX., Vulg.).She... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 14:1-20

Judges 14:1 All transitions are dangerous; and the most dangerous is the transition from the restraint of the family circle to the non-restraint of the world. Herbert Spencer. Reference. XIV. 4. J. N. Norton, Golden Truths, p. 369. Judges 14:5-6 God never gives strength, but he employs it. Poverty meets one like an armed man; infamy, like some furious mastiff, comes flying in the face of another; the wild boar out of the forest, or the bloody tiger of persecution, sets on one; the brawling... read more

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