and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done. and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon himThis phrase indicates a divine empowerment, a recurring theme in the Book of Judges where God raises leaders to deliver Israel. The Spirit of the LORD coming upon someone signifies God's direct intervention and empowerment for a specific task. In the Old Testament, this empowerment is often temporary and task-specific, unlike the New Testament indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This divine empowerment is seen in other judges like Othniel ( Judges 3:10) and Gideon ( Judges 6:34). It highlights God's sovereignty and ability to use flawed individuals for His purposes. and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands
This act of strength is reminiscent of the feats of other biblical figures like David, who also killed a lion (1 Samuel 17:34-35). The lion, a symbol of power and danger, represents challenges that can only be overcome through divine strength. Samson's victory over the lion foreshadows his role as a deliverer of Israel, albeit a flawed one. This act also prefigures Christ's victory over sin and death, as lions are often symbolic of evil forces in Scripture (1 Peter 5:8). as one would tear a young goat
This simile emphasizes the ease with which Samson defeated the lion, underscoring the extraordinary nature of his strength. In ancient Near Eastern culture, tearing a young goat was a task that required strength but was not impossible, suggesting that Samson's feat was supernaturally enabled. This imagery also connects to sacrificial practices, where goats were common offerings, hinting at themes of sacrifice and deliverance. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done
Samson's decision to keep this event secret may indicate a personal struggle or a lack of understanding of his calling. It reflects a pattern in Samson's life of acting independently and often impulsively. This secrecy contrasts with the transparency expected in a covenant relationship with God, highlighting Samson's complex character. It also sets the stage for future events where his actions lead to significant consequences, paralleling the hidden nature of sin and its eventual revelation. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamsonA judge of Israel known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God. His life is a series of divine interventions and personal failures. 2. The Spirit of the LORDRepresents God's empowering presence, which comes upon individuals to enable them to accomplish His purposes. 3. The LionA symbol of danger and challenge, representing obstacles that Samson faces in his life. 4. TimnahA Philistine town where Samson encounters the lion, highlighting the tension between Israel and the Philistines. 5. Samson's ParentsThey are unaware of the divine empowerment and the miraculous event, symbolizing a lack of understanding of God's work in Samson's life. Teaching Points Divine EmpowermentGod's Spirit empowers us to overcome challenges beyond our natural abilities. Hidden VictoriesNot all victories need to be shared; some are personal and between us and God. Facing ChallengesLike Samson, we will face "lions" in our lives, but with God's help, we can overcome them. God's PurposeEven when we don't understand, God is working through us for His purposes. Spiritual StrengthTrue strength comes from reliance on God's Spirit, not our own abilities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the empowerment of the Spirit in Samson's life compare to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament believers? 2. What are some "lions" or challenges in your life that you need God's strength to overcome? 3. Why do you think Samson chose not to tell his parents about the lion? How does this relate to the concept of humility in our spiritual victories? 4. How can we discern when God is calling us to act in His strength rather than our own? 5. In what ways can we ensure that we are open to the Spirit's empowerment in our daily lives, similar to Samson's experience? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:13The Spirit of the LORD coming upon David, similar to Samson, showing God's empowerment for leadership and victory. Acts 1:8The promise of the Holy Spirit empowering believers, drawing a parallel to the Spirit's role in enabling Samson. Philippians 4:13The strength given by Christ to believers, akin to the divine strength given to Samson. People Samson, TimnahPlaces Ashkelon, TimnahTopics Apart, Asunder, Bare, Death, Declared, Didn't, Goat, Hands, Kid, Lion, Mightily, Nothing, Power, Prospereth, Pulling, Rendeth, Rending, Rent, Spirit, Tears, Though, Tore, Torn, UnarmedDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 14:6 1457 trance
3030 Holy Spirit, power
3045 Holy Spirit, sovereignty
3110 Holy Spirit, titles of
3272 Holy Spirit, in OT
5457 power, human
5957 strength, spiritual
7967 spiritual gifts, responsibility Judges 14:5-6 1416 miracles, nature of Judges 14:5-20 5935 riddles Library Introductory Remarks.
We present here, by way of an Appendix to our argument for the Divinity of Christ, a collection of the more remarkable testimonies of unbelievers to the character of Christ, arranged in chronological order, and accompanied with explanatory notes. Dr. Nathaniel Lardner (born in 1684, died in 1768), although a Socinian, or Unitarian, in his views on Christ's person, did excellent service to the cause of revealed religion against the Deism of his day by his truly learned and valuable work on the "Credibility …
Philip Schaff—The Person of ChristWhether the Temptation of God Consists in Certain Deeds, Wherein the Expected Result is Ascribed to the Power of God Alone?
Objection 1: It would seem that the temptation of God does not consist in certain deeds wherein the result is expected from the power of God alone. Just as God is tempted by man so is man tempted by God, man, and demons. But when man is tempted the result is not always expected from his power. Therefore neither is God tempted when the result is expected from His power alone. Objection 2: Further, all those who work miracles by invoking the divine name look for an effect due to God's power alone. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Earliest Chapters in Divine Revelation
[Sidenote: The nature of inspiration] Since the days of the Greek philosophers the subject of inspiration and revelation has been fertile theme for discussion and dispute among scholars and theologians. Many different theories have been advanced, and ultimately abandoned as untenable. In its simplest meaning and use, inspiration describes the personal influence of one individual upon the mind and spirit of another. Thus we often say, "That man inspired me." What we are or do under the influence …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 14:6 NIVJudges 14:6 NLTJudges 14:6 ESVJudges 14:6 NASBJudges 14:6 KJV
Judges 14:6 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
