|
|
|
Samson’s Marriage At Timnah
After his birth, Samson grew and was blessed by the Lord. One day while on his way to Timnah, Samson noticed a certain Philistine woman. When he returned home he told his parents, "I want to marry a young Philistine woman I saw in Timnah." Remembering that the Philistines were pagan worshippers, Samson’s parents strenuously objected to his desire to marry a woman from that tribe. They replied to him, "Isn’t there one woman in our tribe or among the Israelites you could marry. Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife? Not realizing that the Lord’s hand was on Samson and his marriage to the Philistine woman would create a perfect opportunity for the Israelites to disrupt the Philistines who ruled over them, Samson’s parents continued to object because it was prohibited to marry people from Canaan. One day while Samson journeyed to Timnah, a young lion attacked him. At that very moment, the Spirit of the Lord powerfully overtook Samson and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He continued on his journey and subsequently talked to the woman and found that he liked her very well. After a short while, Samson went back to Timnah to marry the woman and during his trip, he saw the carcass of the lion he killed earlier and there he found his food and shared some with his parents. As the head of the family, the father exercised authority in all matters, often including the choices of wives for sons. (see Genesis 24:3-9; Ne 10:30). With this concept in mind, Samson’s father goes to Timnah to see the woman. As was the custom for bridegrooms, Samson prepares a feast. During the feast, he tells the people a riddle and informs them that they must tell him the answer in seven days. Totally unaware of the answer, the people goes to Samson’s wife and asks her to coax him into telling her the answer. After many days of being pressured, Samson tells his wife the answer. Before sunset, the men of the town tells Samson the answer to the riddle. Totally angry at what he knew happened, Samson overpowered with the Spirit, goes to Ashkelon and strikes down thirty of their men, stripping them of their clothing. At Ashkelon, God uses Samson to humble the Philistines. In anger, Samson gives his wife to a friend, goes out and destroy three hundred foxes, burns up the shocks and standing grain along with the vineyards and olive groves. When the Philistines learn of the destruction, they goes and kills Samson’s wife and father-in-law. After Samson learns of the deaths, he goes out and viciously kills many of the Philistines. Afterwards, he goes to a cave and stays there. The Philistines later return to get revenge on Samson but in the aftermath, as has been his custom, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson and with the jawbone of an ass, he slays a thousand men. Totally void of strength, Samson prays to God who provides water and Samson’s strength is regained. Totally dependent on the Spirit, Samson performs many feats. He ultimately leads Israel for the next twenty years. Just as Samson grew and was used by the Lord to accomplish many things, God longs for us to do the impossible through His Spirit. By Naomi . Brown
|