Philistines

15:1 I want to go to my wife’s private room Samson has conducted a seven-day wedding feast (14:4–18) for his bride, but he left Timnah in a rage after the Philistine guests in attendance intimidated his bride in order to produce the answer to his riddle (14:17–20). Samson never consummated the marriage. Nevertheless, he assumes the woman is his wife, unaware that her father has given her to another man after his departure (14:20).

15:2 I gave her to your companion See 14:20 and note.

Please, take her instead To avoid offense or perhaps out of fear, the man offers Samson the sister of the woman he presumed was his wife. Samson, however, is not satisfied by the offer.

15:3 This time, as far as the Philistines are concerned, when I do something evil I am without blame Samson, vowing revenge, feels completely justified in his plan.

15:4 captured three hundred foxes Probably a number intended to indicate a large amount, not an exact figure, since foxes are not abundant in the region. The Hebrew word shu'al may refer to jackals, which are more plentiful. The text does not indicate how long it takes Samson to capture the foxes or what method he uses, but he may have used traps rather than catching them one at a time or exclusively by hand.

between two tails Samson ties the foxes together by their tails (with a rope or string) and attaches a torch. When he releases the terrified foxes into the fields (v. 5), the fields quickly go up in flames.

15:5 olive groves A staple of the local Canaanite diet.

15:6 burned her and her father with fire The Philistine populace exacts revenge on Samson’s intended bride and her father for their role in Samson’s treachery.

15:7 I have taken revenge on you Samson is further enraged by the Philistines murdering his intended bride; he vows revenge once more.

15:8 he gave them a thorough beating The Hebrew phrase used here, shoq al-yarekh, literally rendered “he struck them thigh upon loin,” is an idiomatic expression. It most likely indicates that Samson inflicted a thorough, violent beating. It is possible that the Hebrew text here is suggesting that Samson killed men at this moment, but not entirely clear.

the rock of Etam Anticipating an outraged response from other men of Timnah, Samson seeks refuge at the rock of Etam. The precise location of this rock is unknown; the ensuing context requires that it be in Judah’s territory (v. 9).

15:9 they overran Lehi Lehi means “jawbone” (see v. 15).

15:11 three thousand men from Judah went down The men of Judah conduct their own search for the fugitive Samson to surrender him to their Philistine overlords (14:4). See v. 12 and note.

you not know The men of Judah face a serious threat. If the Philistines retaliate, they could ravage Judah. The only way to appease them is to present them with Samson.

15:12 that you will not attack me yourselves Samson likely makes this request because he does not wish to kill any of his countrymen in the impending fight with the Philistines.

15:13 they brought him up from the rock Samson complies to ensure that the Philistines do not attack Judah.

15:14 the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him See 14:6 and note.

became like flax that has burned with fire Samson easily tears them away.

his bindings melted from his hands Like the ropes, he easily removes these bonds.

15:15 a fresh jawbone of The Hebrew word lehi (“jawbone”) is also the name of the town. See v. 9 and note.

killed The Hebrew word used here, nakhah, likely means “kill” in this instance (e.g., Exod 2:12), though it may refer to other wounds that rendered the men unable to fight back.

15:16 heap upon heap The Hebrew phrase here seems to be a pun. The Hebrew text here could be understood as Samson stating that he has made his Philistine enemies into “many heaps” or that he has made them seem like donkeys by simply using the jawbone of a donkey.

15:17 Ramath Lehi This name means “hill of the jawbone.”

15:18 And he was very thirsty Though Samson’s power is supernaturally enabled, he still suffers from exhaustion.

he called to Yahweh The first mention of Samson praying.

the uncircumcised The Philistines (see Judg 14:3).

15:19 his spirit returned He was refreshed.

The Spring of Ha-Qore The Hebrew name used here literally means “spring of the caller,” alluding to Samson’s calling on Yahweh for water and implying that the spring is named after Samson.

15:20 in the days of the Philistines See 14:4, 11.