14. Staying on Higher Ground: Samson – When BGR Ran Amok

Samson – When BGR ran amok!

(Judges 14:1-20)

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years…For, lo, thou (Mahoah’s wife) shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines…And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him…And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.  (Judges 13:1, 5, 24, 14:1-3)

^KJV Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. ² And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. ³ Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. ⁴ But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. ⁵ Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. ⁶ And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. ⁷ And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. ⁸ And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. ⁹ And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion. ¹⁰ So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do. ¹¹And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him. ¹² And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: ¹³ But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. ¹⁴ And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle. ¹⁵ And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so? ¹⁶ And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee? ¹⁷ And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. ¹⁸ And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. ¹⁹ And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house. ²⁰ But Samson’s wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend. 

OUTLINE

• Wandering From Place of Obedience (14:1)
• Stubborn to insist on his carnal choice (14:2-3)
• Reaping the Sad Consequence of his Choice (14:4-20)

INTRODUCTION

Samson was consecrated as a Nazirite at birth. A Nazirite was to be separated unto Jehovah. The word nazir, which the word is derived, means “to separate”. His vow as a Nazirite included (1) His hair go uncut (2) Refrain from partaking the fruit of the vine (3) Forbidden to contact with the dead (Judges 13:4, 5, 7, 14 c.f. Numbers 6:2-21). 

Samson is the twelfth and last Judge raised by God to deliver Israel their enemies’ oppression.

8	Jephthah	Ammonites	10:6-12:7
9	Izban		12:8-10
10	Eglon		12:11-12
11	Abdon		12:13-15
12	Samson	Philistines	13-16

Samson stands as a perplexing and enigmatic figure who judged Israel for 20 years. As a judge, he was without soldier or army and does not even seem to have been responsible for ending the Philistine oppression. As a person, he displayed tacit disregard for the values of his parents and the spiritual training inherent in his Nazarite heritage. He was impulsively sensual and even verbally vulgar. The narrative of Samson teaches us the evils of mixed or foreign marriages (Judges 14:3), the laxity of sexual relations and of playing with temptation. 

Samson’s problems with the Philistines began when he saw a girl from Timnah and demanded that his parents arrange for their marriage. See item (7) in the figure above. Subjected to the enticement of her charms, however Samson lost the contest of his own wedding riddle. (Timnah is located about 5 ½ miles west along the Sorek Valley from Samson’s home in Zorah). That necessitated a trip to Ashkelon (Judges 14) to secure garments for his wedding party. But the girl was given in marriage to another, which eventually led Samson to burn out the Philistine wheat fields just before harvest (Judges 15). The Philistines retaliated and assaulted the men of Judah, who immediately dissociated themselves from Samson and attempted to hand him over to the Philistines at Lehi. But when he was brought to Lehi, Samson broke the ropes that bound him and used an ass’s jawbone to exact vengeance upon his foes for a second time. See item (8). 

Later, Samson journeyed to Gaza where he stayed with a harlot. See item (9). Thinking that they surely had their enemy this time when told of his whereabouts, the men of Gaza sought to prevent Samson’s departure. But in the middle of the night, Samson simply went through the Gaza city hall, taking city gate and bars with him, and fled to Hebron. See item (10). Samson’s love affair with the harlot Delilah would ultimately return him to Gaza though, but in an inglorious manner as the blind slave of the Philistines. See item (11). Not satisfied with his imprisonment after his return him to Gaza, the Philistines desired taunting Samson publicly. So it was that this last judge of Israel had opportunity to avenge himself against his enemies for a third time, though he paid for it that time with his own life. (Adapted from The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands, Barry J. Beitzel)

God’s Law Regarding Choice of Spouse in the Promised Land 

Exodus 34:11-16 “Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it is for a snare in the midst of thee. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice. And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.”

Deuteronomy 7:1-4 “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou. And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them. Neither shalt thou makes marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou takes unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.”

How did BGR run amok?

(1) Wandering From Place of Obedience (14:1)

¹ And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.

Samson went down to Timnah and saw a Philistine girl. He wandered out of the place of obedience in Israel where he is to find a spouse. Instead he went looked for a girl among the heathens. Samson was not guided by God’s Law (Exodus 34:11-16, Deuteronomy 7:1-4), his wayward feet led him in the way of sin. Because of the proximity of the tribe of Dan to the center of Philistine influence it is not surprising that Samson came in contact with a number of young ladies from Philistia (See Figure below).

Have you been to a disco or a pub? It is like what Samson is doing. A Nazarite seeking fun, doing what comes naturally! Can we hope to find a good girl or boy there amongst those who do not love God? 

Failure to control youthful lusts

Sexual impurity was the main cause of Samson’s fall. The “lust of the eyes” overwhelmed him. Samson “saw” the Philistine girl and could not say “no” to what he saw. It is interesting to note that at the end of his life, God ordered the events such that his eyes were being gouged out as if to remind what Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” The judgment was recorded in Judges 16:21 “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” 

From where do we choose our friends? What are the places we go to for outings, dates? 

(2) Stubborn to insist on his carnal choice (14:2-3)

² And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. ³ Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Samson failed to listen to godly advice and the admonition from God’s Word. Samson’s determination to marry a Philistine girl was so strong, he was so self-willed that even his parents were unsuccessful to stop him. He was physically grown up, stronger than his father. He understood his freedom to exercise his freedom. It was not guided by God. He simply insisted on his choice. His parents gave him good instructions which he spurned – “Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” The basis of his decision was carnal, he based his choice on the externals, what he “saw” that pleases him. He simply ordered his parents insisting on his choice when ordered his parents “Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.” 

His choice was (1) Against God’s Word (2) Against the good advice of his parents. (3) The girl who was pleasing in his eye was the criteria for his choice – Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Samson failed to take heed of admonition and suffered the consequences of a failed marriage. He simply demanded from his parents – Do what I want! No questions asked. Do these words and actions sound familiar? An innumerable throng has followed in his steps, he was not open to criticism or direction from his parents. 

Here, we can only surmise the many nights of despair in the hearts of Manoah and his wife, over the failure to guide their son’s choice, crying out to God for their wayward boy. This is the time of youth where the most enduring decisions regarding one’s life are made – education, marriage and vocation. This is the time when wise counsel and mature experience are imperative. Samson refused to listen to parental advice, he also failed to pray. 

Stacy & Paula Rinehart in the book “Choices – finding God’s way in dating, sex, singleness and marriage” wrote this in the chapter “Going against the grain of your culture”, “You cannot stumble along the path of what seems natural and appealing to you at the moment without encountering consequences at some point. Ecclesiastes 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” When you consider the powerful influence of our culture from our impressionable years on – pressuring us to live for the moment, to live for the sensual, and to live for ourselves – it’s a wonder that we can escape without harm. Clearly, our only hope is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), and this metamorphosis takes place through consistent intake of the word. To make right choices in the area of dating is indeed a battle, because the pressures are so great. God’s most powerful weapon for insured victory is His Word. The more alive the Scriptures are to you personally, the more your thinking will change and your behavior will follow…Only after marriage could I fully appreciate the significance of my earlier choices. Sometimes they were only small choices; often they were quite painful. Whether easy or difficult, those choices actually determined the future course of my life. 

The illusion of youth is, “I have all my life before me. My choices right now won’t make a difference.” Yet in the span of a few short but crucial years, decisions are made that open or close some doors for a lifetime. All of a sudden, it’s too late to develop solid friendships with the opposite sex, or exercise more sexual restraint, or study harder and party less. Life has moved on. Going against the grain of your culture means a willingness to reject a sensual, self-centered lifestyle. The choices entailed are not often very simple and almost require some backbone…Moses spoke some timely words that apply to these choices set before you at this point in your life. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day. And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” God in His sovereignty has left you the guidance of His Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But ultimately your will is free, and the choice is yours.”             

We are hardly expected to find the right direction according to God’s Will when we never allow ourselves to be expose to opportunities and possible areas of service. Avoiding Youth Conferences, annual Mission Conferences in the church is a very effective way of missing the will of God. For example, when both young people and adults refuse to attend consistently the annual missions conferences in the church, they missed out on the time where most missionaries have found the will of God in their lives. 

(3) Reaping the Sad Consequence of his Choice (Judges 14:4-20)

The parents of Samson reluctantly followed their son to Timnath to arrange the marriage. God allowed Samson’s choice in His permissive will (Judges 14:4). 

– Sin of touching the dead body of a lion (Judges 14:9)

Samson “had taken honey out of the carcase of the lion”. 

– Sin of partaking the fruit of the vine in his feasting (Judges 14:10, 12)

His father-in-law was convinced that Samson was irresponsible and unconcerned about his daughter, and therefore, gave her to the best man. 

Difference between Infatuation and True Love

Infatuation is likened to a passing cloud, now here and gone later. Many people can be infatuated with more than one person at the same time: And it is characteristic of teenagers. It is based mainly on physical appearance. It is like the “real thing” to you when you are in it. However, when an infatuated person discovers more of the other party, the feelings often disappear as fast as they appeared. Many are turned off and scared away fast as they appeared. Many are turned off and scared off and scared away when the other party responds. It is the love of emotion. It is “being carried away by unreasoning passion or attraction” (Webster). Love, on the other hand, is different. When a person is in love, he learns to accept and love the other person more as time goes by. Love lasts and progresses gradually and deeply, and there is understanding and acceptance. Samson was simply infatuated and chose based on his carnal sense.

Time brings two people in love closer together, rather than separating them as in the case of infatuation: out of sight, out of mind. A person in love is outbound by chains of anxiety or jealousy. The other party is free to be herself or himself. This does not happen to an infatuated person. True love is giving, not taking. Infatuation is a selfish and possessive emotion. This love of emotion can cause you to be infatuated with someone, for example, a Hollywood star you don’t know, and have never met. Genuine love is “a growing experience, based on mutually shared interests, beliefs, attitudes and goals.”

When are you old enough to Date and How?

This varies from individual to individual. Some manifest maturity and responsibility earlier than others of the same age. Readiness for dating therefore does not depend solely on chronological age but rather on one’s values, one’s maturity, and one’s understanding of the main purpose of dating which is to develop close friendship. It is not to practice your sex technique and petting skills. Keep yourself pure by taking heed to God’s Word:

(1) Be sure to walk in God’s appointed way. “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:1-4)   

(2) Trust in the Lord, acknowledge Him in all your ways. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7)

(3) Listen to parental instruction for your own good. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)

(4) Honour and obey your parents. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

(5) Exercise self-control. There is a time for everything. To be self-controlled is to do everything in its proper time. These are words of wisdom from king Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). Self-control is one of the virtues of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-33). Paul’s advice to young Timothy was to “Flee also youthful lust: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, (2 Timothy 2:22).

(6) Don’t be yoked with an unbeliever. “2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

 How to Stay out of Trouble

Ninety per cent of temptations on a date will be overcome if you remember and practise two simple guidelines:

GUYS

1. You will have problems being excited by a look, since most of your prime temptation will come visually, so guard your eyes. Keep a “Job’s covenant,” and you will keep the doorway to your mind and emotions.
2. You will give a girl a problem by touch, so keep your hands to yourself! If you take care of your eyes and hands, you will not be burned on a date.

GIRLS

1. You are going to give a guy problems by the way you dress, so watch it! Don’t dress to stir lust in your boyfriends; dress as if you were going to be ushered into Heaven right on your date, and Jesus will not be ashamed of you. Help keep him from temptation by the right clothes (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
2. Keep a “hand-off” attitude with your date. It may be hard to say “No” but you must. No heavy necking and petting can develop this way. If your boyfriend doesn’t understand because he doesn’t want to understand, repeat it a couple of times, then use this “emergency” prayer:

Extend your free hand from your shoulder, pull back behind you, then offer up a quick petition thusly: “Lord, give me strength for this task!” Then slap him hard! If he doesn’t think your action was very scriptural, show him Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.”

(Taken from Counselling Recipes through 40 Years Pastoring by Rev Timothy Tow)

Testimony of Mrs Cathy Rice

Many a Christian girl marries an unsaved man feeling because he is so wonderful and their love so strong that she can reform him after the marriage ceremony. Such a marriage rarely turns out well. Any reforming that is to be done should be done before marriage.

Real problems come in a marriage when one is Protestant and the other is Roman Catholic. To marry a Catholic you must have two licences – one from the state and one from the Catholic Church. The latter will not be given until the non-Catholic has signed away her right to bring up the children in her church. The child must be brought up as a Catholic. A child belongs to both parents but the Roman Catholics say that the child belongs to the church. This can only bring sorrow. 

I would even go so far as to say that a girl should marry a man of the same religious denomination. A Baptist should marry a Baptist, a Methodist a Methodist, a Presbyterian a Presbyterian. Even the mode of baptism, which can be fun to discuss before marriage, can become a sore spot after marriage.

I probably thought more seriously about marriage than most girls. My father and mother were and still are happily married but so many of my girlfriends’ parents were not. Why? I often wondered about this.

As I sat pondering the question one day, the thought came to me that a girl certainly need to pray about her marriage, and then have enough patience to wait until the right man comes along. But how would I know the right man?

That day, I wrote down what I would expect to find in my ideal man. I have kept that list to this day and I share it with you now.

MY IDEAL MAN

In searching for my lover and mate I look for, in him, the following characteristics:

2. He MUST be a Christian.
3. He MUST be truthful.
4. He must be stable, standing on his own feet with plenty of hard, solid backbone and a mind of his own.
5. He must be brave. Never a coward, cheat, sneak or one to mind the other fellow’s business. Never to be  bully to run over the weak and small but always ready to help those less fortunate than he.
6. He must be a good sport.
7. He must not be idle, spending his time loafing about poolrooms, drugstores, etc., but be a man who find useful ways of spending all his time.
8. He must be a leader among men. By this I mean one who can make his influence felt; not one that always follows. 
9. He must have a high regard for women-above all, his sweetheart and wife.
10. He must have ambition.
11. He must have appreciation of good music, art and literature.
12. He must not be a fanatic on any one subject.
13. He must not use profane language or have a temper he is unable to control.
14. He must not drink or smoke.
15. He must be a man, not a sissy.
16. He must be a nice looking, neat and tidy in dress, clean inside as well as out.
17. He must be able to understand me in all my ways.
18. He must be dependable; one that I can put all my faith, trust and confidence in; one I will be happy to confide in.
19. He must have faith, trust and confidence in me and be willing and glad to confide in me, who will let me share all his trials and troubles.
20. A man that will met me be his dearest friend, chum and pal on earth; who will let me walk hand in hand with him to his goal. 
21. He must love me with all heart and soul and receive the same love from me in return. 

(Signed) Mary Catherine Widner)

As I read this now I realize I had my sights high. But when I met Bill and we had been friends for a while, one day, I read the above and said to myself, “You know what? I believe he fits everything on that list.”

And today, after thirty wonderful years together, he fits it even more. How good it is to be in love with my ideal man.”

(Taken from The Right Romance in Marriage by Cathy Rice)

CONCLUSION

Samson’s failure to honour God in BGR. It ran amok! 

• Wandered From Place of Obedience – Failure to control youthful lusts!
• Stubborn to insist on his carnal choice
• Reaping the Sad Consequence of his Choice