July 31, 2023 — The Riddle

Yes, the strong man would be defeated like the lion, and women’s honeyed tongues would do it.

Samson has decided, against the command of Moses, and against the wishes of his parents, to marry a Philistine woman. God allowed it because He “was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines” (Jdg 14:4). Samson arranged a feast for some companions selected by the bride’s family, 30 young Philistine men. As entertainment, he posed a riddle. “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet” (v 14). Here was the deal: “If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing” (v 12). For three days, the fellows got nowhere. They found it to be like the Greek riddle: “Who gives, and does not give? Who has not, and yet has?” The giver of the riddle doesn’t give the meaning; the listeners don’t have the answer, though they do have the riddle. As the end of the feast approached, they were frantic and cornered the bride. “Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us,” they said, and then added an incendiary incentive, “or else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire” (v 15). Using her feminine wiles, she wore Samson down until he told her. When the 30 men told him the answer, he replied, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!” (v 18). Using this situation to advance His cause against Philistia, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle” (v 19). His anger appeased, Samson returned to his father’s house—and his bride was given to his best man. So there’s more trouble brewing!

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