Judges 15:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 15:9-17

Here is, I. Samson violently pursued by the Philistine. They went up in a body, a more formidable force than they had together when Samson smote them hip and thigh; and they pitched in Judah, and spread themselves up and down the country, to find out Samson, who they heard had come this way, Jdg. 15:9. When the men of Judah, who had tamely submitted to their yoke, pleaded that they had paid their tribute, and that none of their tribe had given them any offence, they freely own they designed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:12

And they said unto him, we are come down to bind thee ,.... That is, they were come down into the cave where he was; otherwise more properly they were come up to the top of the rock: that we may deliver thee into the hands of the Philistines ; they own what was their intention in binding him, and what put them upon it was not ill will to him, but fear of the Philistines: and Samson said unto them, swear unto me that ye will not fall upon me yourselves ; which shows he did not fear... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:12

That ye will not fall upon me yourselves - He could not bear the thought of contending with and slaying his own countrymen; for there is no doubt that he could have as easily rescued himself from their hands as from those of the Philistines. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 15:11-12

Judges 15:11-12. What hast thou done unto us? Thou hast by these actions punished, not them only, but us, who are sure to smart for it. We are come down to bind thee Why not rather to fight under thy banner? Because sin dispirits men, nay, infatuates them, and hides from their eyes the things that belong to their peace. That we may deliver thee to the Philistines This shows how dastardly the tribe of Judah was grown, and how much they stood in fear of the Philistines, that they should... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 15:1-20

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 15:1-20

3. Samson’s vengeance on the Philistines ch. 15Samson’s weaknesses dominate chapter 14, but his strengths shine forth in chapter 15. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 15:9-13

Samson’s treatment by the Judahites 15:9-13The Philistines pursued Samson into the territory of Judah that they controlled (Judges 15:9; cf. Judges 14:4). The exact location of Lehi is still uncertain.We gain a glimpse into the spiritual condition in Judah at this time from how the 3,000 Judahites (more probable than 3 units of people) responded to their Philistine oppressors. The men of Judah were no threat to the Philistines, but Samson was. The men of Judah did not respond to Samson as a... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:1-20

Samson Slaughters the PhilistinesSamson, being denied his wife, burns the corn of the Philistines. He is delivered up to them by the men of Judah, but bursts his bonds, and slaughters many of the Philistines.1, 2. Samson is denied his wife.1. Wheat harvest] i.e. about May: cp. Judges 15:4. The reason for the last clause is given in Judges 14:19, Judges 14:20. 2. The father still desires to be conciliatory to one who might prove so valuable a son-in-law.3-8. Samson’s Revenge.3. More blameless... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 15:12

(12) Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.—It seems as if Samson were parleying with them from some point of vantage which he could easily have defended for a time. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 15:1-20

Judges 15:15 Is it fair to call the famous Drapier's Letters patriotism? They are masterpieces of dreadful humour and invective: they are reasoned logically enough too, but the proposition is as monstrous and fabulous as the Lilliputian island. It is not that the grievance is so great, but there is his enemy the assault is wonderful for its activity and terrible rage. It is Samson, with a bone in his hand, rushing on his enemies and felling them: one admires not the cause so much as the... read more