The domestic donkey, a humble and often overlooked creature, plays a significant role in one of the miraculous events recorded in the Bible. This event is intricately connected with the life of Samson, one of the judges of Israel, whose exploits are chronicled in the Book of Judges.

Biblical Account:

The miracle involving the donkey's jawbone is found in Judges 15. Samson, endowed with extraordinary strength by the Spirit of the Lord, found himself in a dire situation. After a series of conflicts with the Philistines, who were oppressing Israel at the time, Samson was bound and delivered to them by his own people. However, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he broke free from his bonds.

In Judges 15:15, it is recorded: "He found the fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and struck down a thousand men." This act of strength and deliverance was a testament to the divine empowerment that Samson received. However, the miracle associated with the donkey's jawbone does not end with this victory.

After the battle, Samson was overcome with intense thirst. In his desperation, he cried out to the Lord, acknowledging the great deliverance God had granted through him and expressing his fear of dying from thirst and falling into the hands of the uncircumcised. In response to his plea, God performed a miracle. Judges 15:19 states: "So God split open the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. That is why he named it En-hakkore, and it remains in Lehi to this day."

Significance:

This miracle highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores God's provision and care for His chosen instruments, even in their moments of weakness and need. Samson, despite his flaws and impulsive nature, was used by God to deliver Israel, and God provided for him in his moment of dire need.

Secondly, the use of the donkey's jawbone as a tool for both victory and sustenance serves as a reminder of God's ability to use the ordinary and humble to achieve His purposes. The donkey, a symbol of humility and service, becomes an instrument of divine intervention.

Lastly, the naming of the place as En-hakkore, meaning "the spring of the caller," serves as a lasting testament to God's faithfulness in answering the cries of His people. This event, preserved in the biblical record, continues to inspire faith in God's miraculous provision and His attentive response to the needs of those who call upon Him.Judges 15:19
But God split an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water out of there; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: why he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi to this day.
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