CWFI Devotional Bible Guide

A. Samson went Timnah and saw a Philistine woman. When he returned home to his father and mother he requested his parents to arrange marriage with the woman. (Note: This would have been considered an intermarriage forbidden by Hebrew traditions.)

B. His parents reasoned with him stating and asking, "Why couldn't you find a woman out of Israel?" But Samson urged them on by saying, "This is the one woman I desire.'

C. The LORD placed the desire in Samson's heart so that the LORD could find an opportunity with the Philistines. Samson took his parents to Timnah. On the way a lion burst forward toward Samson. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands. His parents were not aware of the event because it happened passed the vineyard where he left his parents.

D. He went to the city to talk to the woman and told her he loved her. A couple of days later Samson went back to marry her and he noticed the carcase of the dead lion had a swarm of bees and honey in it. Samson took some of the honey and shared it with his parents without telling them where the honey came from.

E. Manoah went to see the Philistine woman and Samson gave the feast according to the traditions and custom of the bridegroom and offered a riddle. (Note: Honey is offered as a first-fruit offering. This honey could have been considered holy. Nazarites were not allowed to touch dead carcases. But the honey represented a blessing. Bees don't normally make hives in dead carcases and not as fast as a couple of days. But the lion was a sacrifice to confirm Samson's strength and the anointing in his life.) (Note: The lion is also considered a predatory animal and king of the beast. For Samson slaughtered the King of Predators; then the Philistines doesn't stand a chance.)

F. Samson said, "Learn this riddle within seven days and I'll owe you thirty shirts and thirty changes of clothing, but if you lose by not knowing the answer to the riddle you owe me thirty shirts and thirty changes of clothing." (Note: This challenge is another taunting of sticky trouble. Asking the Philistines for a woman of theirs is already asking for trouble)

G. The riddle: Something to eat out of the eater and something sweet out of the strong. After three days those at the feast couldn't figure out the riddle. On the fourth day they convinced Samson's wife to discover the answer to the riddle or they would burn Samson's wife and family. (Note: Although Samson married the Philistine woman she she was a prize to the Philistines. For Samson would never be one of them, but Samson wanted on of their women. They still had a hold on her, although bound to Samson by marriage. This is called a spiritual whore and walking two sides of the fence. Samson's wife need to decide to whom she will be loyal to?)

H. Samson's wife cried, claimed Samson hated her for not telling her the answer to the riddle. Samson said, "Why should I tell you? For I haven't told my parents either." After sobbing for seven days after the feast Samson decides to reveal the answer to the riddle to his wife. The men revealed to Samson the answer to the riddle by saying, "What is sweeter than honey and stronger than a lion? Samson was furious and went to Ashkelon and killed thirty men and took everything they had and gave it to the riddle solvers. Samson went back to his parents furious. Samson's wife was given to his best-man that was at his wedding. (Note: Samson paid his debt, but can't keep secrets and shouldn't bet or gamble if you can't secure the odds in you favor. This gamble cost thirty men their possessions and their lives. Samson's behavior is taunting the Philistines for answer to rid themselves of the pest Samson.)

The story of Samson continues in the next Chapter in Judges 15.