In the narrative of Samson, one of the most intriguing and tragic episodes involves his first wife, a Philistine woman from Timnah. This event is recorded in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 14 and 15. The account provides insight into the cultural and personal conflicts that characterized Samson's life and mission as a judge of Israel.

Background and Marriage Proposal

Samson, a Nazirite from birth, was endowed with extraordinary strength by the Spirit of the Lord. His life was marked by a divine calling to begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines, who were oppressing the Israelites at the time. Despite his divine mission, Samson's personal choices often led to complex situations, as seen in his desire to marry a Philistine woman.

In Judges 14:1-2 , it is recorded: "Samson went down to Timnah and saw a young Philistine woman there. So he returned and told his father and mother, 'I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah. Now get her for me as a wife.'" This request troubled his parents, who questioned why he would seek a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines rather than from his own people. However, the text reveals that this was part of the Lord's plan to create an opportunity against the Philistines (Judges 14:4).

The Wedding Feast and Riddle

Samson's marriage to the Philistine woman was marked by a seven-day wedding feast, a customary celebration of the time. During the feast, Samson posed a riddle to thirty Philistine companions, wagering thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. The riddle, found in Judges 14:14 , was: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." This riddle was based on an earlier encounter Samson had with a lion, from which he later extracted honey.

Unable to solve the riddle, the Philistines coerced Samson's wife to entice the answer from him. Under pressure, she wept before Samson, and he eventually revealed the answer to her. She, in turn, disclosed it to her people, leading to Samson's anger and subsequent violent actions against the Philistines (Judges 14:15-19).

Betrayal and Consequences

After the wedding feast, Samson returned to his father's house, leaving his wife behind. In his absence, her father gave her to one of Samson's companions, whom he had considered a friend (Judges 14:20). This act of betrayal set the stage for further conflict between Samson and the Philistines.

When Samson later returned to Timnah to visit his wife, he discovered that she had been given to another man. Her father offered Samson her younger sister instead, but this only fueled Samson's wrath. In retaliation, Samson caught three hundred foxes, tied their tails together in pairs with torches, and released them into the Philistines' grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves, causing widespread destruction (Judges 15:1-5).

Cultural and Theological Implications

The episode of Samson's wife being given to another highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. It underscores the tension between Israel and the Philistines, as well as the personal struggles of Samson, whose actions were often driven by personal vendettas rather than strategic deliverance. The account also reflects the cultural practices of the time, such as arranged marriages and the significance of wedding feasts.

From a theological perspective, this event illustrates the sovereignty of God in using even the flawed decisions of individuals to accomplish His purposes. Despite Samson's personal failings, God continued to work through him to challenge the Philistine oppression, setting the stage for further acts of deliverance.

References

· Judges 14:1-20, Berean Standard Bible
· Judges 15:1-5, Berean Standard Bible