Topical Bible: Samson: His Marriage Feast and the Riddle Propounded

◄ Samson: His Marriage Feast and the Riddle Propounded ►

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Background

Samson, a judge of Israel, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 13 to 16. Known for his extraordinary strength, which was a gift from God contingent upon his Nazirite vow, Samson's life is marked by feats of strength and episodes of personal weakness. His marriage to a Philistine woman from Timnah is a significant event that sets the stage for a series of conflicts between Samson and the Philistines.

The Marriage Feast

Samson's desire to marry a Philistine woman is first mentioned in Judges 14:1-2. Despite his parents' objections, Samson insists on marrying her, saying, "Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes" (Judges 14:3). This marriage is part of God's plan to create an opportunity against the Philistines, who were oppressing Israel at the time (Judges 14:4).

The marriage feast, a customary celebration, is held in Timnah. Judges 14:10-11 describes the event: "Then his father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegrooms. And when the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him." This gathering of thirty Philistine men sets the stage for the riddle that Samson propounds.

The Riddle Propounded

During the feast, Samson presents a riddle to his thirty companions, wagering thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. The riddle, found in Judges 14:14, is: "Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet." This riddle is based on an earlier event where Samson killed a lion with his bare hands, and later found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass (Judges 14:5-9).

The Philistine companions are unable to solve the riddle and, in desperation, coerce Samson's wife to extract the answer from him. Judges 14:15-17 details their threat: "On the fourth day, they said to Samson’s wife, 'Coax your husband into explaining the riddle for us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?' So Samson’s wife wept before him and said, 'You must hate me; you do not love me! You have given my people a riddle, but you have not told me the answer.' 'Look,' he said, 'I have not even told my father or mother, so why should I tell you?' She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and on the seventh day he told her, because she had pressed him so hard. Then she explained the riddle to her people."

The Outcome

On the seventh day, before sunset, the men of the city answer Samson's riddle: "What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?" (Judges 14:18). Realizing he has been betrayed, Samson responds with anger, "If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle" (Judges 14:18).

In fulfillment of the wager, the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon Samson, and he goes to Ashkelon, kills thirty men, and gives their garments to those who had explained the riddle (Judges 14:19). This act of vengeance marks the beginning of a series of conflicts between Samson and the Philistines, highlighting the tension between his divine calling and personal failings.

Significance

Samson's marriage feast and the riddle serve as a microcosm of his life, illustrating the interplay between his God-given strength and his susceptibility to personal weaknesses. The episode underscores the sovereignty of God, who uses even Samson's flawed decisions to fulfill His purposes for Israel.

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Judges 14:8-19
And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.
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Library

The Pilgrim's Progress
... When he had thus said, he went back to his place, and the Pilgrims went on their
way. MERCY. ... Pray open to me this riddle. CHRIST. Why, I will tell you. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm