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Matthew Henry

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 16:7

And Samson said unto her ,.... In answer to her pressing solicitations: if they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried ; the word is sometimes used for nerves, and cords or ropes; but neither of these can be here meant, since these, if moistened or made wet, are the less fit to bind with, and the drier the better; but rods or branches of trees just cut off, such as faggots are bound up with, or green osiers, which are easily bent and twisted, and may bind with; Josephus ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:8

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her ,.... To the chamber where she was with Samson, she having acquainted them with what he had told her: seven green withs, which had not been dried ; just such as he had described and directed to: and she bound him with them ; taking an opportunity, very likely, when he was asleep, and drunk too, according to Josephus F24 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 11. : the Philistines did not attempt to bind him, supposing that he would not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 16:9

Now there were men lying in wait ,.... Very likely some of the servants of the lords of the Philistines, who were placed privately on purpose, that when an opportunity offered, they might rush out, and fall upon Samson; Josephus F25 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 8. sect. 11. calls them soldiers: abiding with her in the chamber ; in a private part of it, or otherwise they could not be said to lie in wait; in it may mean near it; perhaps it was in the next apartment to hers, where they were set: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:7

Seven green withs - That is, any kind of pliant, tough wood, twisted in the form of a cord or rope. Such are used in many countries formed out of osiers, hazel, etc. And in Ireland, very long and strong ropes are made of the fibres of bog-wood, or the larger roots of the fir, which is often dug up in the bogs or mosses of that country. But the Septuagint, by translating the Hebrew לחים יתרים yetharim lachim by νευραις ὑγραις , and the Vulgate by nerviceis funibus , understand... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:9

Men lying in wait - They probably did not appear, as Samson immediately broke his bonds when this bad woman said, The Philistines be upon thee. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:6-8

Judges 16:6-8. Wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee This seems rather to express the sum of what Delilah aimed at than her very words. For it is scarcely credible that she put this question so openly to Samson, which would have discovered that she had some design against him. But, rather, she wormed it out of him by degrees, and in such an artful manner as gave him no cause of suspicion. Samson said, &c. Samson was guilty both of the sin of lying, and of great folly, in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 16:9

Judges 16:9. There were men abiding with her in the chamber In some closet, probably, or adjoining room; for it cannot be well imagined, that they could be in the very same chamber without being discovered by Samson. It appears the Philistines were rather desirous of taking him alive than killing him. Probably they thought to employ him in some laborious works for the public, wherein his great strength might be of use to them, if they could but take him alive. Otherwise the liers in wait ... 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 16:7

green withs = green twigs. Anglo-Saxon, a willow, because of its twining and flexibility. man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more

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