Judges 15:17
And when Samson had finished speaking, he cast the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi.
And when Samson had finished speaking
Samson's speech follows his victory over the Philistines using the jawbone of a donkey. This moment highlights his role as a judge and deliverer of Israel, empowered by the Spirit of the Lord. His words likely reflect a sense of triumph and divine empowerment, similar to the songs of victory found in Exodus 15:1-18 and Judges 5:1-31.

he cast the jawbone from his hand
The act of casting away the jawbone signifies the end of the immediate conflict and the temporary nature of the tool used for deliverance. It symbolizes the transient nature of earthly weapons compared to divine power. This action can be compared to David's reliance on God rather than Saul's armor in 1 Samuel 17:38-40.

and he named that place Ramath-lehi
"Ramath-lehi" translates to "the hill of the jawbone." Naming places after significant events was a common practice in biblical times, serving as a memorial to God's intervention. This act of naming is reminiscent of other biblical figures who named locations to commemorate divine encounters, such as Jacob naming Bethel in Genesis 28:19. The location serves as a testament to God's deliverance and Samson's role as a judge.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samson
A judge of Israel known for his supernatural strength, which was a gift from God. His life is marked by personal flaws and divine purpose.

2. Jawbone
The weapon Samson used to defeat a thousand Philistines. It symbolizes God's provision and strength in unexpected forms.

3. Ramath-lehi
The place where Samson discarded the jawbone. The name means "Hill of the Jawbone," commemorating the victory God granted through Samson.

4. Philistines
The enemies of Israel during Samson's time. They were a constant threat and oppressors of the Israelites.

5. God's Deliverance
The event of Samson's victory over the Philistines with the jawbone is a testament to God's deliverance and empowerment of His chosen leaders.
Teaching Points
God's Strength in Weakness
God often uses the weak and unexpected to accomplish His purposes, reminding us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Divine Provision
Just as God provided Samson with a jawbone, He provides us with the resources we need to face our battles. Trust in His provision, even when it seems unconventional.

Commemorating God's Victories
Naming the place Ramath-lehi serves as a reminder of God's deliverance. We should also remember and commemorate the victories God grants us in our lives.

The Importance of Obedience
Samson's life is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God. While God can use our failures for His glory, our lives are more fruitful when we walk in obedience.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human flaws, God's sovereign plan prevails. We can trust that He is in control and working all things for good.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Samson and the jawbone challenge our understanding of strength and weakness in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we see God's provision in unexpected forms in our daily challenges?

3. How can we commemorate and remember the victories God has given us, similar to how Samson named Ramath-lehi?

4. What lessons can we learn from Samson's life about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning our actions with God's will?

5. How does the account of Samson encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 14-16
These chapters provide the broader account of Samson's life, highlighting his feats and failures, and God's faithfulness despite human weakness.

1 Samuel 17
David's victory over Goliath with a sling and a stone parallels Samson's victory with the jawbone, showcasing God's power in using unlikely means to achieve His purposes.

Hebrews 11:32-34
Samson is mentioned in the "Hall of Faith," illustrating that despite his imperfections, his faith and actions were part of God's redemptive history.
How We May Burst the Bonds of SinThomas Kirk.Judges 15:1-20
Infliction of Wrong is Sometimes OverruledThomas Kirk.Judges 15:1-20
Samson's PrayerThomas Kirk.Judges 15:1-20
Samson's WeaponD. Davies.Judges 15:1-20
Spiritual Renewal in Answer to PrayerThomas Kirk.Judges 15:1-20
The Fainting HeroJudges 15:1-20
The Fate of Samson's Wife an Illustration of Retributive JusticeW. A. Scott, D. D.Judges 15:1-20
The Rudest Weapon not to be Despised in God's ServiceMarcus Dods, D. D.Judges 15:1-20
Three Hundred Foxes in the CornW. A. Scott, D. D.Judges 15:1-20
Wrong-Doers Naturally Seek to Justify ThemselvesThomas Kirk.Judges 15:1-20
The Self-Refreshment of Divine ServiceA.F. Muir Judges 15:17-19
People
Samson
Places
Ashkelon, En-hakkore, Etam, Lehi, Ramath-lehi
Topics
Calleth, Cast, Casteth, Finished, Finisheth, Jawbone, Jaw-bone, Lehi, Mouth-bone, Named, Pass, Ramath, Ramathlehi, Ramath-lehi, Ra'math-le'hi, Speaking, Threw
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 15:12-19

     5597   victory, act of God

Library
Whether the Degrees of Prophecy Can be Distinguished According to the Imaginary vision?
Objection 1: It would seem that the degrees of prophecy cannot be distinguished according to the imaginary vision. For the degrees of a thing bear relation to something that is on its own account, not on account of something else. Now, in prophecy, intellectual vision is sought on its own account, and imaginary vision on account of something else, as stated above (A[2], ad 2). Therefore it would seem that the degrees of prophecy are distinguished not according to imaginary, but only according to
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The King James Version as English Literature
LET it be plainly said at the very first that when we speak of the literary phases of the Bible we are not discussing the book in its historic meaning. It was never meant as literature in our usual sense of the word. Nothing could have been further from the thought of the men who wrote it, whoever they were and whenever they wrote, than that they were making a world literature. They had the characteristics of men who do make great literature-- they had clear vision and a great passion for truth;
McAfee—Study of the King James Bible

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

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

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