Judges 16:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 16:1-3

Here is, 1. Samson's sin, Jdg. 16:1. His taking a Philistine to wife, in the beginning of his time, was in some degree excusable, but to join himself to a harlot that he accidentally saw among them was such a profanation of his honour as an Israelite, as a Nazarite, that we cannot but blush to read it. Tell it not in Gath. This vile impurity makes the graceful visage of this Nazarite blacker than a coal, Lam. 4:7, 8. We find not that Samson had any business in Gaza; if he went thither in quest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:1

Then went Samson to Gaza ,.... One of the five principalities of the Philistines, which was ten miles from Ashkelon, as Sandys F17 Travels, l. 3. p. 118. says; who also describes F18 Travels, l. 3. p. 116. it as standing upon an hill environed with valleys, and these again well nigh enclosed with hills, most of them planted with all sorts of delicate fruits; and, according to Bunting F19 Ut supra. (Travels, l. 3. p. 118.) , forty two miles from Ramathlehi, the place where... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:1

Then went Samson to Gaza , and saw there a harlot - The Chaldee, as in the former case, renders the clause thus: Samson saw there a woman, an inn-keeper. Perhaps the word זונה zonah is to be taken here in its double sense; one who keeps a house for the entertainment of travelers, and who also prostitutes her person. Gaza was situated near the Mediterranean Sea, and was one of the most southern cities of Palestine. It has been supposed by some to have derived its name... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:1

Gaza - About 8 hours from Eleutheropolis, and one of the chief strong-holds of the Philistines. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:1

Judges 16:1. And saw there a harlot Although the Hebrew word זונה , zoneh, here rendered harlot, also means a woman that keeps an inn, it seems evident, on the face of the story, that this woman really was what our translators have taken her to have been, a harlot. Samson, it seems, going into a house of public entertainment to refresh himself, saw there this woman, and by giving way to look upon her was insnared. 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 16:1

Then = and. Gaza. About thirty-five miles south of his native place. an harlot. He could rend a lion, but not his lusts. He could break his bonds, but not his habits. He could conquer the Philistines, but not his passions. Now Ghuzzeh. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 16:1

THE TRAGIC STORY ENDS WITH THE DEATH OF SAMSONWe are annoyed by the RIDICULOUS assertions of some scholars, claiming that: "The Samson story terminated in Judges 15:19, and that in Judges 16 is a `later addition'";[1] or that, "The attitude of the Deuteronomic editor is reflected here in what he did not say."[2] Neither comment can be accepted because, "Whoever heard of the story of any man, much less that of a hero like Samson, ending BEFORE his death?" As for that alleged Deuteronomic editor,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 16:1

CHAP. XVI. Samson carries away the gates of Gaza: falls in love with Delilah, to whom he confesses that his strength would leave him if his head should be shaven. His hair being shaven off while he is asleep, he is taken by the Philistines; his eyes are put out, and he grinds in the prison-house. The manner of his death. Before Christ 1135. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 16:1

1, 2. Gaza—now Guzzah, the capital of the largest of the five Philistine principal cities, about fifteen miles southwest of Ashkelon. The object of this visit to this city is not recorded, and unless he had gone in disguise, it was a perilous exposure of his life in one of the enemy's strongholds. It soon became known that he was there; and it was immediately resolved to secure him. But deeming themselves certain of their prey, the Gazites deferred the execution of their measure till the... read more

Group of Brands