At the wedding feast Samson said to the guests, "I will give you a riddle. If you show it to me during the seven days of the meal (the wedding festival), and guess it, I will give you thirty sedinim (σινδόνες, tunicae, i.e., clothes worn next to the skin) and thirty changes of garments (costly dresses, that were frequently changed: see at Genesis 45:22); but if ye cannot show it to me, ye shall give me the same number of garments." The custom or proposing riddles at banquets by way of entertainment is also to be met with among the ancient Grecians. (For proofs from Athenaeus, Pollux, Gellius, see Bochart, Hieroz. P. ii. l. ii. c. 12; and K. O. Mller, Dorier, ii. p. 392). As the guests consented to this proposal, Samson gave them the following riddle (Judges 14:14): "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." This riddle they could not show, i.e., solve, for three days. That is to say, they occupied themselves for three days in trying to find the solution; after that they let the matter rest until the appointed term was drawing near.

Judges 14:20 Parallel Commentaries

given to

Judges 15:2 And her father said, I truly thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion...

his friend

Psalm 55:12,13 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it...

Jeremiah 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies...

Micah 7:5 Trust you not in a friend, put you not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom.

Matthew 26:49,50 And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him...

John 3:29 He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him...

John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled...