Judges Chapter 15
The nation of Israel was under the thumb of the Philistines for forty years and needed a leader to rescue them. They had become accustomed to living in such a way so as not to upset the Philistines. This reminds me of when we get to the New Testament when Israel lived under the control of the Romans. When Jesus walked this earth, we read that Israel had become accustomed to living quiet lives so as not to upset the Romans. It is “funny” how history repeats itself. Or is it that we humans keep making the same errors of judgement?
Samson had returned to mend things with his wife, and he had brought her a gift, a goat. But when he returned, he was not allowed to see his wife, stopped by his father-in-law, who had given her away to the man who had played the role of best man at their wedding. This began a series of battles that caused Israel to take back control of what God had given them.
Let's Reflect
1. Why did Samson’s father-in-law give away his bride?
2. Verse 3 indicates that when Samson spoke about what he would do to the Philistines that he spoke to multiple people. My guess is that his statement was just shouted out and there were several people who heard it not knowing what he really meant until they saw what he did to their fields. What to the fields of the Philistines?
3. I learned that the Hebrew word for foxes could also be translated jackals which is the more likely interpretations since jackals run in packs making them easier to catch. Still, it is a mind-blowing feat that he did this. We also don’t know how long it took him to do this, possibly a couple days. When the Philistine leaders learned who had done this to their fields, how did they retaliate?
4. We find in verse 8 that Samson again went after the Philistines. This time he killed many of them. Then where did Samson go?
5. The Philistines, not knowing where Samson was hiding, sent men to the tribe of Judah and put the pressure on them. The Bible says they did a raid. You can be sure that they did some horrible things to the people of Judah. Whatever they did it was enough to cause 3,000 men of Judah to go and flush Samson out. How did they plan to deliver Samson to the Philistines?
6. I think at this point Samson was beginning to recall what God’s purpose for his life was. He knew that the Philistines should not be ruling over God’s people. He went willingly with the men of Judah to be turned over to the Philistines. What does verse 14 tell us about what happened to Samson when the Philistines caught sight of the bound Samson?
7. After fighting and killing 1,000 Philistine men, Samson was very thirsty. What miracle did God perform on that day for Samson? I think it was God’s way of showing Samson that He wanted to be leader of his life and letting him know that He would take care of him.
