Judges 16:1
And saw — Going into an house of publick entertainment to refresh himself. He there saw this harlot accidentally; and by giving way to look upon her, was ensnared, Genesis 3:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
And saw — Going into an house of publick entertainment to refresh himself. He there saw this harlot accidentally; and by giving way to look upon her, was ensnared, Genesis 3:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the morning — This they chose to do, rather than to seize upon him in his bed by night; either, because they knew not certainly in what house he was; or, because they thought that might cause great terror, and confusion, and mischief among their own people; whereas in the day — time they might mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Arose — Perhaps warned by God in a dream; or rather by the checks of his own conscience. Went away — The watch — men not expecting him 'till morning, and therefore being now retired into the sides, or upper part of the gate — house, as the manner now is, to get some rest, to fit themselves for their... [ Continue Reading ]
Loved — Probably as an harlot: because the dreadful punishment now inflicted upon Samson for this sin, whom God spared for the first offence, is an intimation, that this sin was not inferior to the former.... [ Continue Reading ]
The lords — The lords of their five principal cities, who were leagued together against him as their common enemy. Afflict — To chastise him for his injuries done to us. They mean to punish him severely, but they express it in mild words, lest it might move her to pity him. Pieces of silver — Shekel... [ Continue Reading ]
Samson said — Samson is guilty both of the sin of lying, and of great folly in encouraging her enquiries, which he should at first have checked: but as he had forsaken God, so God had now forsaken him, otherwise the frequent repetition and vehement urging of this question might easily have raised su... [ Continue Reading ]
With her — That is, in a secret chamber within her call. Nor is it strange that they did not fall upon him in his sleep, because they expected an opportunity for doing their work more certainly, and with less danger.... [ Continue Reading ]
Web — Or, thread which is woven about a weaver's loom: or, with a weaver's beam. If my hair, which is all divided into seven locks, be fastened about a weaver's beam; or interwoven with weaver's threads: then I shall be weak as another man.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not with me — Not open to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Vexed — Being tormented by two contrary passions, desire to gratify her, and fear of betraying himself. So that he had no pleasure of his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
If I be shaven — Not that his hair was in itself the cause of his strength, but because it was the chief condition of that covenant, whereby God was pleased to ingage himself to fit him for, and assist him in that great work to which he called him: but upon his violation of the condition, God justly... [ Continue Reading ]
And brought money in their hand — See one of the bravest men then in the world bought and sold, as a sheep for the slaughter. How does this instance sully all the glory of man, and forbid the strong man ever to boast of his strength!... [ Continue Reading ]
Sleep — By some sleepy potion. Knees — Resting his head upon her knees. To weaken or hurt, tho' he felt it not.... [ Continue Reading ]
Said — Within himself. Shake myself — That is, put forth my strength. Knew not — Not distinctly feeling the loss of his hair, or not considering what would follow. Many have lost the favourable presence of God, and are not aware of it. They have provoked God to withdraw from them; but are not sensib... [ Continue Reading ]
His eyes — Which was done both out of revenge and policy, to disable him from doing them harm, in case he should recover his strength; but not without God's providence, punishing him in that part which had been instrumental to his sinful lusts. Gaza — Because this was a great and strong city, where... [ Continue Reading ]
The hair — This circumstance, though in itself inconsiderable, is noted as a sign of the recovery of God's favour, and his former strength, in some degree, upon his repentance, and renewing his vow with God, which was allowed for Nazarites to do.... [ Continue Reading ]
Dagon — An idol, whose upper part was like a man, and whose lower part was like a fish: probably one of the sea — gods of the Heathens.... [ Continue Reading ]
Made sport — Either being made by them the matter of their sport and derision, of bitter scoffs, and other indignities: or, by some proofs of more than ordinary strength yet remaining in him, like the ruins of a great and goodly building: whereby he lulled them asleep, until by this complaisance he... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereon the house standeth — Whether it were a temple, or theatre, or some slight building run up for the purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
The roof — Which was flat, and had window's through which they might see what was done in the lower parts of the house.... [ Continue Reading ]
Samson called — This prayer was not an act of malice and revenge, but of faith and zeal for God, who was there publickly dishonoured; and justice, in vindicating the whole common — wealth of Israel, which was his duty, as he was judge. And God, who heareth not sinners, and would never use his omnipo... [ Continue Reading ]
Two pillars — Instances are not wanting of more capacious buildings than this, that have been supported only by one pillar. Pliny in the 15th chapter of the 36th Book of his Natural History, mentions two theatres built by C. Curio, in Julius Caesar's time; each of which was supported only by one pil... [ Continue Reading ]
Buried — While the Philistines were under such grief, and consternation, that they had neither heart nor leisure to hinder them.... [ Continue Reading ]