Judg. 14:11| woman
| Samson failed in not contacting God and in indulging in sex. He was not genuine in seeking for a spouse; rather, his contacting of women was to indulge his lusts. He indulged his lust with a Philistine woman, whom he married and who released his secret to the Philistines (vv. 1-3, 10-17); with a harlot in Gaza, in whose place Samson was surrounded by the Philistines (16:1-3); and with a woman by the name of Delilah, who released the secret of his great strength (16:4-20a). Although he had been empowered by God, he was damaged to the uttermost because of his indulgence in lust. Ultimately, Jehovah left him, and he came to a miserable ending (16:20b-30).
Judg. 14:3a| daughters| cf. Gen. 24:3-4;| 28:1-2;| Deut. 7:3
Judg. 14:4a| ruled| Judg. 15:11, 20
Judg. 14:6a| Spirit| Judg. 14:19;| 3:10;| 15:14
Judg. 14:61b| tore| Heb. 11:33
| Samson had faith in God (cf. Heb. 11:32). His faith is seen in his tearing a young lion by the Spirit of Jehovah rushing upon him (vv. 5-6), in his slaying thirty men by the Spirit of Jehovah rushing upon him (v. 19), in his slaying one thousand Philistines by the Spirit of Jehovah rushing upon him (15:12-18a), and in his destroying the house where he was compelled to perform (16:28-30).
Judg. 14:8a| honey| cf. Exo. 3:8;| Deut. 8:8;| 1|Sam. 14:25;| Matt. 3:4
Judg. 14:12a| riddle| Psa. 78:2;| Prov. 1:6;| Ezek. 17:2;| cf. 1|Kings 10:1
Judg. 14:151| fourth
| Following some ancient versions; the Hebrew text reads, seventh.
Judg. 14:17a| pressed| cf. Judg. 16:16
Judg. 14:18a| sweeter| cf. Psa. 19:10;| 119:103
Judg. 14:19a| Spirit| Judg. 14:6