1st Week of August Adult Sunday School Class

Judges chapter 14

Starting out, we have Samson going to Timnath to take a wife out of the Philistines. This is normally a sign of bad things to come, but this is one of the rare cases where God is going to use the situation to prove a point or to deliver Israel. We know of at least one other case in Hosea where God has someone marry someone else that seems contrary to what God would have his people do. It is something that only Samson is aware of, it is hidden from his parents, his people and definitely the Philistines.

On Samson journey down to the take a wife he performs one of his many miracles of physical strength that he becomes known for; he kills a lion with his bare hands. God has given him this strength and we notice that Samson is good at keeping secrets even from those close to him. He doesn't seem to be a braggart or like to talk. Interesting considering too much talking is something that eventually plays a part in his downfall.

Samson likes his future wife, which will add salt to the wound that the Philistines give him later. He returns to take her for a wife and on the way he returns to his kill and finds the bees have made honey there in the carcass. After he shares the honey with his parents he starts the seven day celebration that is customary in his time. They bring along some 30 'companions' to the celebration, so Samson offers them a riddle. If they solve the riddle he will give them garments, if they do not solve the riddle, they will give him garments.

After some time the guests threaten Samson's future bride and and her father with death unless she gives them the solution for the riddle. She bugs Samson's to no end, (which later is his weakness and downfall) and he relents and gives her the answer. She then takes the answer to the inquirers, but Samson is wise to what has happened. He goes and takes the lives and garments from other Philistines to complete his vow. Notice that it says the 'Spirit of the Lord' came upon him; oh that that would be said about us and our Christian lives.