Judges 15:9-11

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 15:9

Then the Philistines went up ,.... From Palestine, which lay low on the shore of the Mediterranean sea: and pitched in Judah ; in the laud of Judea, which lay higher, particularly in the tribe of Judah, whither they came with an army, and encamped there: and spread themselves in Lehi ; their forces were so many, that they extended a considerable way, and particularly reached to Lehi, that is, which was afterwards so called; for it has its name by anticipation from the jaw bone, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:10

And the men of Judah said ,.... To the Philistines, very probably by a deputation, which they sent unto them, to know the reason of this formidable appearance: why are ye come up against us ? in this hostile manner, with such a number of forces, since they were not conscious to themselves that they had done anything to offend them; they had not attempted to cast off their yoke, they quietly submitted to their government, and had paid their whole tribute, as Josephus F6 Ut supra.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 15:11

Then three thousand of Judah went up to the top of the rock of Etam ,.... Or "went down" F7 וירדו , "et descenderunt", Pagninus, Montanus; "descenderunt ergo", V. L. Tigurine version. ; that is, into the cave of the rock of Etam, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; and so it is taken by David de Pomis F8 Tzemach David, fol. 112. 3. for a cave dug in the rock: this was a large number that went to take one man; the reason is, they knew his great strength: and said to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:10

To bind Samson are we come up - It seems they did not wish to come to an open rupture with the Israelites, provided they would deliver up him who was the cause of their disasters. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 15:11

Three thousand men of Judah went - It appears evidently from this that Samson was strongly posted, and they thought that no less than three thousand men were necessary to reduce him. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 15:9

Spread themselves - An expression used of the Philistine mode of war 2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:22, alluding to the compact way in which they came up the wadys, and then distpersed. Lehi is so called by anticipation (see Judges 15:17). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 15:11

The dispirited men of Judah were prepared to give up their champion, in order to conciliate their masters. This shows how hard was the task of the Judge, whose office it was to restore his countrymen to freedom and independence. 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

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