Judges - Chapter 15

Judges 15.1 But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in. Judges 15.2 And her father said, I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to thy companion: is not her younger sister fairer than she? take her, I pray thee, instead of her. Judges 15.3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. Judges 15.4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails. Judges 15.5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives. Judges 15.6 Then the Philistines said, Who hath done this? And they answered, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he had taken his wife, and given her to his companion. And the Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire. Judges 15.7 And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. Judges 15.8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam. Judges 15.9 Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi. Judges 15.10 And the men of Judah said, Why are ye come up against us? And they answered, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he hath done to us. Judges 15.11 Then three thousand men of Judah went to the top of the rock Etam, and said to Samson, Knowest thou not that the Philistines are rulers over us? what is this that thou hast done unto us? And he said unto them, As they did unto me, so have I done unto them. Judges 15.12 And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves. Judges 15.13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock. Judges 15.14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. Judges 15.15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. Judges 15.16 And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men. Judges 15.17 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi. Judges 15.18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? Judges 15.19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. Judges 15.20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Judges : Chapter 15

Samson's Trials and Divine Vengeance

Judges chapter 15 continues to witness Samson's exploits against the Philistines, illustrating the complexity of personal revenge in the face of divine purpose. This dynamic narrative recounts Samson's retaliation for his wife's betrayal, resulting in the deaths of many Philistines. Throughout this story, profound themes emerge: divine justice through unexpected means, the blending of human and divine motives, and the isolation of God's chosen deliverer.

A key moment in this chapter is Lehi's miracle of water gushing from the rock, symbolizing divine providence even in times of great adversity. Let's reflect together on five biblical passages that resonate with the themes of power and purpose present in this powerful chapter.

Revelatory Bible Passages

Matthew 5:38-39

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist evildoers. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek also."

This teaching of Jesus contrasts sharply with Samson's revenge against the Philistines, suggesting a path of forgiveness and peace.

Romans 12:19

"Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but entrust your anger to God, for it is written: 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' says the Lord.'

In this exhortation, Paul warns against personal revenge, a behavior that Samson adopts throughout his narrative in Judges.

Psalms 18:32-34

"It is God who gives me strength and perfects my way. He makes my feet swift like a deer's; he upholds me on high. He teaches me for battle; my arms can bend a bronze bow."

This psalm evokes the divine strength granted to man, similar to the supernatural power Samson demonstrates in his struggles.

John 7:37-38

"On the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within him.'"

Just as God provided for Samson by offering him water in Judges 15:19, Jesus presents himself as the source of living water for those who are thirsty.

1 Corinthians 1:27

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world he has chosen to shame the strong."

God's choice to use a donkey's jawbone as Samson's weapon in Judges brilliantly illustrates this divine principle of reversing expectations. human.

By meditating on these passages, we can better understand the depth of Samson's story and how God operates throughout history, calling us to reflect on our own understanding of justice and vengeance.