What is the meaning of Judges 14:17? Seven Days of Tears Samson’s bride “wept the whole seven days of the feast” (Judges 14:17). • In the straightforward chronology of the wedding banquet (Judges 14:10-12), the text shows her tears lasting the entire celebration. • Continuous weeping highlights deep emotional manipulation, much like Delilah’s later appeals (Judges 16:15-16) and contrasts with the joy normally expected at such feasts (John 2:9). • Proverbs 21:9 and 27:15 illustrate the wearing effects of constant contention in a household, underscoring how her persistence eroded Samson’s resolve. Relentless Pressure on the Seventh Day “Finally on the seventh day, because she had pressed him so much…” • The phrase “pressed him” mirrors the nagging tactic Delilah will use (Judges 16:16-17), showing a pattern of Samson succumbing to sustained pressure. • Genesis 19:9 and Luke 18:5 depict similar scenarios where relentless pleading brings capitulation. • The literal timeline—“on the seventh day”—emphasizes both God’s perfect number and the completion of the test of Samson’s patience. Samson Gives Up the Secret “…he told her the answer.” • Samson’s vow of secrecy (Judges 14:13-14) breaks under emotional strain, prefiguring greater breaches that will eventually cost him his strength (Judges 16:17). • Proverbs 13:3 warns that “he who guards his mouth protects his life,” spotlighting the spiritual danger of careless disclosure. • His concession shows the vulnerability of God’s chosen judge when personal desires override divine calling (Judges 13:5; 1 Corinthians 10:12). A Betrayal Revealed to Her People “And in turn she explained the riddle to her people.” • Her immediate report to the Philistines (Judges 14:15-18) confirms her divided loyalties, echoing Proverbs 26:24-26 about hidden hatred revealed by speech. • This act triggers Samson’s violent retaliation (Judges 14:19-20), illustrating the cascading consequences of betrayal. • Psalm 41:9 foreshadows Christ’s betrayal, linking the pain of treachery across redemptive history. summary Judges 14:17 portrays a literal sequence: seven days of unrelenting tears, intensified pressure on the final day, Samson’s surrender of the riddle, and the bride’s swift betrayal. The passage warns of the destructive power of persistent manipulation, the peril of divulging sacred truths, and the severe fallout when covenant loyalty is broken. God’s Word stands accurate and clear, reminding believers to guard their hearts and tongues, remain steadfast under pressure, and trust the Lord rather than yielding to human demands. |
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